Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

ANC Blasts Campus Plan in Resolution

The Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E voted 6-1 in favor of a document condemning Georgetown’s 2010 Campus Plan at its monthly meeting Monday night.

The document was drafted by the Burleith Citizens Association and the Citizens Association of Georgetown, and presented at the ANC’s last meeting before the D.C. Zoning Commission rules on the Campus Plan Feb. 9.

“The Commission finds that the growth in enrollment and the consequent number of student group houses have created objectionable conditions in adjoining communities,” the resolution read.

It went on to assert that the university’s efforts, including implementation of the Student Neighborhood Assistance Program, construction of the Southwest Quad and expanded shuttle service on weekends, have failed to meet neighbors’ expectations for resolving divisive issues.

“The Commission concludes that the [university] has not met its burden of showing that the proposed Campus Plan is not likely to become objectionable due to noise, traffic, number of students or other objectionable conditions and will not tend to affect adversely the use of neighboring property,” the document read.

The single dissenting vote on the resolution came from Jake Sticka (COL ’13), the sole student representative on the commission. Sticka added that debate over the decision to ratify the document was not contentious because each commissioner’s stance on the issue has long been clear.

“It’s a year now since that initial debate [on the Campus Plan], so at this point it’s not really contentious. It’s something I disagree with the commissioners on,” he said.

ANC Chairman Ron Lewis, who voiced concern that the university has failed to understand neighborhood concerns, also expressed his relief that the long debate on the Campus Plan is coming to a close.

“I think we’re all very eager to have the Zoning Commission make a decision,” he said.

The issue of food trucks in the neighborhood was also a prominent item on Monday night’s agenda. Popular among students, mobile food vendors have irritated residents who claim they park on residential streets.

Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Director Nicholas Majett attempted to address the concerns of both business owners and residents.

“It’s very difficult for us to strike a balance between [the interests of] brick-and-mortar [establishments] and vending trucks,” he said.

The commissioners subsequently passed a motion prohibiting food trucks from parking on streets designated as residential parking permit streets, which make up large portions of Georgetown.

The board also addressed the repairs currently underway on O and P Streets. Commissioner Jeff Jones said that the work on the 3400 block of P Street is nearing completion. The rehabilitation will include the replacement of original cobblestones and streetcar tracks in order to preserve the historic character of the area.

The project is projected to be completed in February, one month later than had been announced at the ANC’s Dec. 1 meeting.

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