Council of the District of Columbia

Committee of the Whole

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20004

 

 

TO:                 Nyasha Smith, Secretary to the Council

              

FROM:            Phil Mendelson, Chairman

                                               

DATE:             April 28, 2022

 

 

This memorandum is to request that the following measures be placed on the agenda for the May 3, 2022 Legislative Meeting:

 

▪        Targeted Historic Preservation Assistance Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2022

▪        Targeted Historic Preservation Assistance Emergency Amendment Act of 2022

▪        Targeted Historic Preservation Assistance Temporary Amendment Act of 2022

 

            These measures would temporarily expand eligibility for the Historic Homeowner Grant Program to a multifamily building in the Meridian Hill Historic District and the Mount Pleasant Historic District.  A subtitle was included in the Mayor’s proposed Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Support Act that would have more broadly expanded the grant program to multifamily buildings.  However, the Committee of the Whole recommended removing the subtitle because of concerns over whether such an expansion would be duplicative of other programs as well as diminish the availability of funds for homeowners.  The Committee believes that such a broad proposal should have the benefit of a hearing before moving forward as permanent legislation.

 

            However, the impetus for the subtitle was apparently an immediate need for an historic common interest community located in the Meridian Hill and Mount Pleasant Historic Districts.  The multifamily property has historic features that are in immediate need of repair because historically significant elements of the outside of the building are deteriorating and the common interest community owners cannot afford the needed repairs.  Without this legislation, the Historic Preservation Office may need to approve the removal of the deteriorating exterior features – which would have a negative impact on historic preservation.        

 

            There are sufficient funds in the Historic Homeowner Grant Program to cover the anticipated costs.  This is a second round of emergency and temporary legislation necessitated by the application process for the grants taking longer than anticipated.

 

The measures are attached.  Please call me or Mr. Evan Cash if you have any questions at (202) 724-7002. 

 

 

cc:       All Councilmembers

            Council Officers