Good Day,
Below are the minutes from the first Single Member District (SMD) 5C01 meeting concerning the solar array at the Catholic Charities property, 2800 Otis Street, NE. The second meeting was held 1/5/2019 with two Updates.
ANC 5C will vote on the matter during the monthly ANC 5C meeting Wednesday, February 20, 2019, 7pm, at the Fifth Police District, 1805 Bladensburg Road, NE, 20002
ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION
Single Member District 5C01
Washington, DC 20018
December 8, 2018 Minutes
The meeting concerned the request by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, DC, located at 2800 Otis Street, NE, Washington, DC 20018, to install 4,788 solar panels on their property. The purpose of the panels is to reduce the cost of electrical power to the property.
The meeting opened with a presentation by our guests who represented the Catholic Charities project (Catholic Charities, Catholic Energy, the solar panel installer, and the attorney for the project). The lead presenter was Attorney Leila Batties.
Concerning Catholic Charities, 2800 Otis Street, NE, the following were presented:
Ø It is a non-profit entity of the Catholic Church
Ø It sits on more than 14 acres
Ø They lease the property from Catholic Missionaries, which was established by Mother Theresa
Ø They house up to thirty-eight (38) hospice patients- men, women, and children
Ø They have no income and depend on donations to operate
Ø The Church has been approached by Developers to sell the property; however,
Ø Catholic Charities' concern is to remain connected to the community
Ø The Church do not intend to sell to Developers
Ø The majority of the site is open space
Concerning the solar array project:
Ø There will be 4,788 solar panels creating the solar array
Ø The panels will be located close to the Randolph Street side (north side) of the property
Ø The setback from public space is at least 8 feet and closer to 25 feet
Ø The mounted height of the panels would be about 7 feet
Ø The array would be screened by a 6 feet tall inner perimeter security fence
Ø Trees will be located on the outside of that fence to block any glare from the panels
Ø There will be an outer perimeter fence (two levels of fencing)
Ø It will take about two months (weather permitting) to excavate and install the array
Ø There will be no major drilling
Ø Wires will be underground and connected to the Pepco source
Ø The site of Catholic Charities is zoned R-1-B (Residential). They are requesting a Special Exception to the zoning regulations to use the property for utility purposes also.
Community Concerns:
Electrical Sensitivity: There is no study proving that solar power has any effect on pacemakers, non-cable TV service, cell phones, and VOIP. It is not high density voltage.
Noise: Yes, there might be a hum from the array, but no louder than a Pepco transformer.
There might be low volume noise as the panels follow the sun. (Update-the panels will not move)
There will be daytime construction noise
Rain Water Runoff: This has already been addressed at the site and will not affect neighboring properties. (Update-Currently, the water flows from the property to a storm water runoff drain)
Property Values: The array would not be visible from street level because of the fencing. There is no study proving the depreciation of property as a result of solar power
How will the community benefit in supporting this project:
The financial affects of the solar array will not be realized for about two years. Catholic Charities is a non-profit community based organization dependent on support from the community. However, any electrical overage might be passed on to the community, but this will involve future analysis and research.
Maintaining the Property: The public space adjacent to the property will be maintained. The grass will be cut and weeds pulled. Catholic Charities stated they were unable to do so in the past because of the lack of revenue.
Follow-up Community Meeting: Saturday, January 5, 2019, 10am, Sharon Baptist Church, 3825 26th Street, NE 20018
ANC Monthly Community Meeting: There will be an Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC 5C) community meeting to vote whether to support or not support the project. Notices will be posted. We meet every third Wednesday of the month, 7:00 pm, at the Fifth Police District, 1805 Bladensburg Road, NE.
Board of Zoning Hearing (DCOZ): The hearing will be February 27, 2019, 9:30 am, at 441 4th Street, NW-Suite 200S. The public is invited to testify. DCOZ has the authority to grant or reject Catholic Charities' request.
Gail Brevard, Commissioner 5C01
5C01@anc.dc.gov
brevardb@aol.com
202-253-6340
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