Shipstead-Luce Appendix: CFA Meeting — 20 September 2017

The staff of the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) has reviewed revisions to the permit submission for a proposed new residential, retail, and theater building to be located at 900 Maine Avenue, SW, on Parcel 2 of the Southwest Waterfront development area known as the District Wharf (case number SL 15-090). We regret that these revisions were not forwarded to allow us to complete the CFA review prior to the issuance of a permit for construction, as required under the Shipstead-Luce Act. Nevertheless, the staff has no objections to the permit submission for this project, as the revised design conforms with the previous advice of the Commission.

With the authority delegated by the Commission at its meeting of 19 March 2015, we recommend approval of the permit submission of the proposed new building, as documented in materials received and dated 6 March 2015 and supplemental materials received and dated 27 June 2017 and 20 July 2017. If there are any additional changes please contact the staff to determine if additional review will be required. As always, the staff is available to assist you with future submissions. Note: Any subsequent modifications to the approved design, including those made during DCRA technical review, must be resubmitted to the Commission for approval.

Note: This recommendation was dated 8 August 2017.

The staff of the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) has reviewed revisions to the permit submission for a proposed new residential and retail building to be located at 750 Maine Avenue, SW, on Parcel 4 of the Southwest Waterfront development area known as the District Wharf (case number SL 15-103). We regret that these revisions were not forwarded to complete the CFA review prior to the issuance of a permit for construction, as required under the Shipstead-Luce Act. We also regret that the design now under construction only marginally responds to the Commission of Fine Arts’s advice from its meeting of 16 April 2015 (letter attached), particularly the advice to simplify the design of the building façades. However, staff finds that the selection of bricks of similar color and texture for Masonry Types 1 and 2 helps to mitigate the complexity of the façade designs.

With the authority delegated by the Commission at its meeting of 16 April 2015, we recommend approval of the permit submission of the proposed new building, as documented in materials received and dated 3 April 2015 and supplemental materials received and dated 27 June 2017 and 21 July 2017. If there are any additional changes please contact the staff to determine if additional review will be required. As always, the staff is available to assist you with future submissions. Note: Any subsequent modifications to the approved design, including those made during DCRA technical review, must be resubmitted to the Commission for approval.

Note:  This recommendation was dated 8 August 2017.

Property is under the control of the federal government and is not subject to the Shipstead-Luce Act. See Consent Calendar for 20 September 2017, case number CFA 20/SEP/17-a for recommended action.

Recommend AGAINST the issuance of a permit for the installation of one replacement panel antenna and three replacement remote radio units at an existing rooftop cellular facility for AT&T, as shown in materials received and dated 5 May 2017 and supplemental materials received and dated 15 May 2017. The original installation of the cellular antennas and "stealth" enclosures was made without CFA review and with no record of a building permit, and they are inappropriately visible from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. Forward a new submission for the relocation of all antennas to less visible locations when ready. Refer to National Capital Planning Commission.

No objection to the concept for the construction of a new three-story brick house, as shown in supplemental materials received and dated 6 September 2017. Refer to DC Historic Preservation Office. Note: This is a concept approval only. When ready, submit the permit drawings and a permit application to DCRA for review by the Commission.

No objection to the issuance of a permit for the installation of wood replacement windows in an existing house, as shown in materials received and dated 7 July 2017 and supplemental materials received and dated 15 August 2017. Refer to DC Historic Preservation Office. Note: Any subsequent modifications to the approved design, including those made during DCRA technical review, must be resubmitted to the Commission for approval.

No objection to the concept for an addition to an existing penthouse and for two new open trellises and other modifications to an existing roof terrace, as shown in materials received and dated 7 July 2017 and supplemental materials received and dated 6 September 2017. Refer to US General Services Administration. Refer to National Capital Planning Commission. Refer to DC Historic Preservation Office. Note: This is a concept approval only. When ready, submit the permit drawings and a permit application to DCRA for review by the Commission.

No objection to the concept for modifications to an existing roof terrace and for the construction of additions and modifications to an existing penthouse, as shown in materials received and dated 7 July 2017 and supplemental materials received and dated 13 September 2017 and 25 September 2017. Recommend consideration of a separate roof access elevator located in a less visible part of the roof. Recommend that the applicant continue to consult with CFA staff in the development of the design prior to the submission of a permit application. Cellular antennas shown in submitted materials are not included in this review. Refer to US General Services Administration. Refer to National Capital Planning Commission. Refer to DC Historic Preservation Office. Note: This is a concept approval only. When ready, submit the permit drawings and a permit application to DCRA for review by the Commission.

No objection to the issuance of a permit for the reconstruction of the porch roof and railings of an existing rowhouse to match the historic porches of neighboring houses in the same row, as shown in materials received and dated 8 September 2017. Refer to DC Historic Preservation Office. Note: Any subsequent modifications to the approved design, including those made during DCRA technical review, must be resubmitted to the Commission for approval.

No objection to the issuance of a permit for the installation of a replacement fence--including a 4'-0" high chain link section and a 6'-0" high wood section--in the rear and side yards of an existing house, as shown in materials received and dated 8 September 2017 and supplemental materials received and dated 12 September 2017. Note: Any subsequent modifications to the approved design, including those made during DCRA technical review, must be resubmitted to the Commission for approval.

No objection to the issuance of a permit for the removal of American Red Cross-branded signs and sculpture from an existing building and site, and for the installation of a new ornamental bronze street number sign and a new blank metal sign panel at the main entrance to the building on E Street, NW, as shown in materials received and dated 8 September 2017. Submission conforms with previously approved concept. Refer to National Capital Planning Commission. Refer to DC Historic Preservation Office. Note: Any subsequent modifications to the approved design, including those made during DCRA technical review, must be resubmitted to the Commission for approval.

Recommend AGAINST the issuance of a permit for the installation of an internally illuminated sign for the American Psychiatric Association on an existing office building, as shown in materials received and dated 8 September 2017. Signs in the Shipstead-Luce Act area are limited to 25 square feet in total sign area and are not permitted to be internally illuminated. Forward a new submission for a sign that conforms with the regulations for signs in the Shipstead-Luce Act area when ready.

No objection to the issuance of a permit for the installation of a 6'-0" high wood replacement fence in the rear and side yards of an existing house, as shown in materials received and dated 8 September 2017 and supplemental materials received and dated 15 September 2017. Note: Any subsequent modifications to the approved design, including those made during DCRA technical review, must be resubmitted to the Commission for approval.

No objection to the issuance of a permit for the installation of replacement doors and the refinishing of existing storefront and windows in an existing multi-use building, as shown in materials received and dated 8 September 2017 and supplemental materials received and dated 14 September 2017. Refer to DC Historic Preservation Office. Note: Any subsequent modifications to the approved design, including those made during DCRA technical review, must be resubmitted to the Commission for approval.

No objection to the issuance of a permit for the installation of replacement doors and the refinishing of existing storefront and windows in an existing multi-use building, as shown in materials received and dated 8 September 2017 and supplemental materials received and dated 14 September 2017. Refer to DC Historic Preservation Office. Note: Any subsequent modifications to the approved design, including those made during DCRA technical review, must be resubmitted to the Commission for approval.

No objection to the issuance of a permit for modifications to a fenced garden in public space adjacent to an existing church, as shown in materials received and dated 8 September 2017 and supplemental materials received and dated 19 September 2017 and 3 October 2017. Refer to DC Public Space Committee. Refer to DC Historic Preservation Office. Note: Any subsequent modifications to the approved design, including those made during DCRA technical review, must be resubmitted to the Commission for approval.

No objection to the issuance of a permit for the installation of two non-illuminated column-mounted blade signs and four non-illuminated column-mounted wedge signs for Exxon at an existing gas station, as shown in materials received and dated 8 September 2017. Recommend AGAINST the issuance of a permit for the installation of an LED-illuminated price sign to replace the existing price sign. Internally illuminated signs are not permitted in the Shipstead-Luce Act area. Refer to DC Historic Preservation Office. Note: Any subsequent modifications to the approved design, including those made during DCRA technical review, must be resubmitted to the Commission for approval.

Recommend AGAINST the issuance of a permit for the installation of an internally illuminated fence-mounted sign in public space, as shown in materials received and dated 8 September 2017. Signs in public space are not permitted in residential districts under DC sign regulations. Refer to DC Public Space Committee. Refer to DC Historic Preservation Office.

No objection to the issuance of a permit for the installation of electrical equipment in the side yard of an existing apartment building, as shown in materials received and dated 8 September 2017. This equipment is associated with a proposed solar panel installation on the roof of an adjacent garage on a separate lot that is not subject to CFA review under the Shipstead-Luce Act. Refer to DC Historic Preservation Office. Note: Any subsequent modifications to the approved design, including those made during DCRA technical review, must be resubmitted to the Commission for approval.

No objection to the issuance of a revised permit for the construction of an in-ground swimming pool and spa in the rear yard of an existing house, including a new fence and gates, as shown in materials received and dated 8 September 2017 and supplemental materials received and dated 15 September 2017, 19 September 2017 and 2 October 2017.  Submission largely conforms with the previously approved permit submission. Refer to DC Historic Preservation Office. Note: Any subsequent modifications to the approved design, including those made during DCRA technical review, must be resubmitted to the Commission for approval.

No objection to the issuance of a permit for modifications to the garage of an existing house to convert it to occupiable space, as shown in materials received and dated 8 September 2017 and supplemental materials received and dated 15 September 2017. Note: Any subsequent modifications to the approved design, including those made during DCRA technical review, must be resubmitted to the Commission for approval.

No objection to the issuance of a permit for the installation of 18 wood replacement windows in an existing house, as shown in materials received and dated 8 September 2017 and supplemental materials received and dated 19 September 2017 and 26 September 2017. Refer to DC Historic Preservation Office. Note: Any subsequent modifications to the approved design, including those made during DCRA technical review, must be resubmitted to the Commission for approval.

No objection to the issuance of a permit for the installation of four replacement remote radio heads, three new remote radios heads, and two replacement panel antennas for Verizon Wireless at an existing rooftop cellular installation, as shown in materials received and dated 8 September 2017, PROVIDED that the antennas be mounted no higher than the existing antennas to be replaced, PROVIDED that the wall-mounted antennas and their support structures be painted to match the wall behind, PROVIDED that the applicant consult with CFA staff and the building owner regarding the anticipated relocation of some of the new and existing antennas to coordinate with the owner's current roof terrace modification project. Refer to DC Historic Preservation Office. Note: Any subsequent modifications to the approved design, including those made during DCRA technical review, must be resubmitted to the Commission for approval.

No objection to the issuance of a permit for the installation of three replacement panel antennas, the relocation of two existing panel antennas, and the installation of one new tripod-mounted panel antenna for T-Mobile at an existing rooftop cellular installation, as shown in materials received and dated 8 September 2017, PROVIDED that the antennas be mounted no higher than the existing antennas to be replaced, and PROVIDED that the wall-mounted antennas and their support structures be painted to match the wall behind. Refer to DC Historic Preservation Office. Note: Any subsequent modifications to the approved design, including those made during DCRA technical review, must be resubmitted to the Commission for approval.

No objection to the issuance of a revised permit for the renovation of and additions to an existing parish house and connecting wing to an existing church, as shown in materials received and dated 8 September 2017 and supplemental materials received and dated 2 November 2017. Refer to DC Historic Preservation Office. Note: Any subsequent modifications to the approved design, including those made during DCRA technical review, must be resubmitted to the Commission for approval.

No objection to the issuance of a permit for the construction of a new office building, as shown in materials received and dated 20 July 2017 and 8 September 2017. Submission largely conforms with the previously approved concept design and the advice of the Commission. Note: Any subsequent modifications to the approved design, including those made during DCRA technical review, must be resubmitted to the Commission for approval.

No objection to the issuance of a permit for the construction of a new hotel and retail building, as shown in materials received and dated 20 July 2017 and 8 September 2017. Submission largely conforms with the previously approved concept design and the advice of the Commission. Note: Any subsequent modifications to the approved design, including those made during DCRA technical review, must be resubmitted to the Commission for approval.

No objection to the concept for modifications to an existing roof terrace, windows, and doors, as shown in materials received and dated 8 September 2017 and supplemental materials received and dated 9 November 2017, PROVIDED that the north and south ends of the exterior terrace retain the closed end panels of the existing canvas awning rather than be replaced by glazed transom windows and PROVIDED that the proposed replacement door between the POV Lounge and the exterior terrace be steel to match the POV Lounge windows.  Refer to the US General Services Administration.  Refer to the National Capital Planning Commission. Refer to DC Historic Preservation Office. Note: This is a concept approval only. When ready, submit the permit drawings and a permit application to DCRA for review by the Commission.

Recommend AGAINST the concept for an addition to the ground floor of one wing of an existing office building, as shown in materials received and dated 8 September 2017. Proposed addition would eliminate in this location the characteristic arcade that runs continuously along the North Capitol Street, courtyard, and E Street, NW, facades of the building.

No objection to the issuance of a permit for modifications to the side yard of an existing house, including new paving, a new ADA-accessible ramp, and new plantings, as shown in materials received and dated 15 September 2017. Refer to DC Historic Preservation Office. Note: Any subsequent modifications to the approved design, including those made during DCRA technical review, must be resubmitted to the Commission for approval.