Council

“Soundproofing Legislation to Protect Venues, Musicians, and Renters/Homeowners”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Victoria Pickering

From a press release:

“Today at 1 p.m. the D.C. Council Committee of the Whole, chaired by Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, will hold a hearing on legislation that sets soundproofing standards for new residential construction in mixed-use corridors and entertainment districts. The legislation, introduced by Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau, D-Ward 1, protects the vibrant musical and cultural history of neighborhoods while giving relief to the residents who appreciate that culture, and also seek reasonable protections from excessive sound. 

“Ward 1 has always celebrated music, from Black Broadway and the Funk Parade to the Go-Go tapes playing from the speakers of the Shaw Metro PCS store at 7th and Florida,” Nadeau said. “With this legislation, those who live in vibrant neighborhoods throughout the District and the artists and spaces who make those communities so special can continue to co-exist.”

The Harmonious Living Amendment Act of 2024, introduced by Nadeau, sets higher soundproofing requirements for buildings within 300 feet of a performance venue. Currently, the District does not require any soundproofing standard for building exteriors.

For existing buildings, the bill requires disclosure for leases and home sales when there is nearby entertainment or cultural activity that they should be aware of to help people make an informed choice before moving in. There are incentives for soundproofing and retrofits of existing residences and commercial venues. 

The bill also considers how to improve public spaces to make them more amenable to music and public performances in ways that reduce residential disturbance. This would mean more amenities like the recently-installed band stand at Eastern Market and public decibel meters in high-activity areas.

A companion bill introduced by Chairman Mendelson, the Amplified Sound Mitigation Act of 2024, addresses resident and business concerns about amplifiers in public space. That legislation was referred to Councilmember Nadeau’s committee and received a hearing this July. 

“The sounds of the District are an essential part of our city’s culture. All of us can share responsibility for creating an environment of quality housing, healthy music, and harmonious neighborhoods,” Nadeau said. “I look forward to continuing to champion this bill as it moves through the legislative process, and I thank Chairman Mendelson for his support.” 

Further details of the hearing can be found on the Council’s website.

WHAT THE BILLS DO 

Harmonious Living Amendment Act of 2024 

Establishes, for the first time, exterior soundproofing standards for residential construction in mixed-use corridors and entertainment districts, with higher requirements for buildings within 300 feet of a performance venue to address crowds and low frequencies.   

Requires a new disclosure on lease or purchase agreements for existing residential properties in an entertainment or activity area that informs a new renter or buyer of nearby activity and established cultural institutions. 

Creates new incentive programs for soundproofing retrofits, for residences and commercial venues.

Establishes public spaces and amenities, such as band shells that are more amenable to live performances in ways that reduce residential disturbance.   

Establishes grant programs to encourage public performances that fit well with these spaces and help advance the District’s cultural vibrancy. 

Introduces live decibel reader displays to public spaces to clearly communicate the District’s laws and regulations (but would not be used for enforcement). 

Establishes grant programs to encourage public performances that fit well with these spaces and help advance the District’s cultural vibrancy. 

Ensures that enforcement agencies have a minimum number of sound meters given to staff for enforcement. 

Amplified Sound Mitigation Act of 2024 

Establishes decibel levels for amplified sound, such as street performances. 

Allows for faster and fairer enforcement by measuring decibels at the source of amplification. 

Gives the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection authority to enforce the sound levels. DLCP already enforces other types of noise regulations. 

Allows performers to remedy a violation before being given a fine and allows anyone issued a fine to enter a payment plan. 

·       Updates the sound meter devices used for enforcement to modern standards. (D.C. sound regulations have not been updated since the 1970s.)”

“DC Council Unanimously Approves Councilmember Allen’s Healthy Homes Bill, Setting Goal to Upgrade 30,000 Homes to Electric”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Victoria Pickering

From the office of Councilmember Charles Allen:

“The DC Council unanimously approved Councilmember Charles Allen’s Healthy Homes bill that sets DC on a course to replace fossil-fuel powered appliances and home heat with electric appliances in the homes of 30,000 low- and moderate-income DC residents by 2040. The bill marks an ambitious undertaking to address a key source of both carbon output and in-home air quality issues. (more…)

“Councilmember Allen Introduces Bill Creating New and Stronger Enforcement Tools to Reduce Dangerous Driving in the District”

By Prince Of Petworth

From a press release:

“Today, Councilmember Charles Allen (Ward 6) is introducing legislation to reduce dangerous driving and expand accountability for drivers who make our roads unsafe. The bill improves street safety in three main areas: (1) enhanced booting, towing, and impounding of offenders’ vehicles based on repeat or serious traffic violations in a six-month window, (2) new authority for the Office of the Attorney General to bring civil suits against drivers or the vehicles themselves, and (3) stronger and more streamlined license revocation procedures for repeat DUI offenders.

“No matter where you live in the District, not a day goes by without a driver recklessly speeding with little regard for pedestrians, cyclists, or other drivers. Our current accountability tools are failing to change behavior or save lives,” said Councilmember Allen. “Driving on our roads is a privilege, and there should be serious, effective, and timely consequences when a driver breaks the law – especially repeatedly. This bill better focuses our dangerous driving laws on repeat offenders, creates a novel legal authority for the Attorney General to try to get bad drivers, including from states without reciprocity agreements, off our streets when other tools aren’t working, and fixes the communication problems between the Court and DMV we’ve seen in recent weeks with drunk driving enforcement. It’s also equitable: just because you can pay your ticket doesn’t mean you’re a safer driver. We want to offer second chances to people who try to follow the rules, regardless of their ability to pay, but go after those who think they can get away with endangering others.”

The bill is named the Strengthening Traffic Enforcement, Education, and Responsibility (STEER) Amendment Act of 2023. Councilmember Allen serves as the Chair of the Council’s Committee on Transportation and the Environment and has oversight of the District’s traffic laws, DDOT, and DMV. The bill follows a public hearing Councilmember Allen held on traffic enforcement on May 23, 2023 and builds on the Committee’s oversight of the DMV following that hearing, focusing on gaps in the District’s system for revoking licenses for anyone convicted of a DUI.

To improve safety on our streets, the bill: (more…)

“Welcome back Yellow Line, train service resumes for customers beginning Sunday” and “Statement from Councilmember Allen on WMATA’s Letter Delaying Fare Free Buses One Year”

By Prince Of Petworth

From WMATA:

“Over the bridge and through the tunnel, trains on the Yellow Line are ready to go. Starting Sunday, May 7, Yellow Line service will resume across the Potomac River, following an eight-month, on-time and anticipated to be under budget rehabilitation project to repair the deteriorating 1970’s tunnel and bridge.

The reopening, announced last month, will provide a faster, more direct connection for customers between Virginia and downtown DC, including travel to/from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

Yellow Line trains will initially operate every eight minutes weekdays from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. for the first month between Huntington and Mount Vernon Square, and every 12 minutes all other times and on weekends, a 60 percent increase in train service than before the closure last fall. In June service will improve to eight minutes all day, seven days a week.”


photo by nevermindtheend

From the office of Councilmember Charles Allen:

“The following is a statement from Councilmember Charles Allen on WMATA’s Letter Delaying Fare Free Buses One Year:

“I’m frustrated with WMATA, but bold ideas sometimes take time. A one-year delay isn’t the end of the world, but I do hold some skepticism about Maryland and Virginia’s genuine interest in fare-free buses. (more…)

Aurora Market Posts Plea after multiple robberies in Park View

By Prince Of Petworth


500 Irving Street, NW

Ed. Note: You can learn more about and support Aurora Market here. “Veteran Owned & Family Operated. The Modern Mom & Pop Shop. We are more than an organic grocery store. We are a pillar of the community.”

Thanks to those who tagged us and messaged us Aurora Market‘s plea from IG:

“Posting mugshots of repeat offenders wasn’t in our plans when opening @auroramarketdc

As a recent United States Army retiree I made a decision to remove myself from government and politics. Today, I feel compelled to voice my frustration with the lack of support from our representative @brianneknadeau

Since we began developing @auroramarketdc on 2/1/2021 my wife and I have contacted @brianneknadeau office numerous times without any response: (more…)

“Metro For DC Bill to Advance to Committee Vote With Major Additions: All DC Bus Service Will be Free and Major Bus Routes Will Now Have Overnight Service”

By Prince Of Petworth

From the office of Councilmember Charles Allen:

“Today, DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson and Councilmember Charles Allen (Ward 6) are holding a joint press conference to announce Councilmember Allen’s Metro For DC bill will include two major additions when it comes up for a vote next Tuesday, December 6. 

The bill makes all WMATA buses operating in the District free to riders beginning next summer. 

In a major win for DC’s nightlife and service sector, the bill funds overnight service for 12 major bus lines.

The bill still establishes a $10 million bus service improvement fund dedicated to annual investments in bus lanes, shelters, and other improvements to make bus service itself faster, more reliable, and more enjoyable. 

The bill still provides a $100 monthly subsidy for all DC residents to use on Metrorail, buses outside of DC, or anywhere else SmarTrip is accepted. This is similar to what was previously announced. (more…)

“Councilmember Allen Introduces Bill To Install At Least 7,500 Public Electric Vehicle Charging Stations By 2027”

By Prince Of Petworth

From the office of Councilmember Allen:

“Recognizing the growing demand for electric vehicles and the need for charging stations, today, Councilmember Charles Allen (Ward 6) introduced legislation charting the path forward to at least 7,500 public charging stations in the District of Columbia in the next four years. (more…)

“legislation to advance a long overdue modernization, organization, and revision of the District’s entire criminal code”

By Prince Of Petworth

From the office of Councilmember Charles Allen:

“On Friday, October 21, at 2pm, the DC Council’s Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety will meet to vote on the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022 (RCCA), legislation to advance a long overdue modernization, organization, and revision of the District’s entire criminal code. The legislation was introduced at the Council by the District’s independent Criminal Code Reform Commission (CCRC) after years of work by its staff and five-member Advisory Group, including the Office of the Attorney General, the United States Attorney’s Office, the Public Defender Service, and local law school professors. The vote follows more than a year of Council consideration of the proposal and nearly 20 hours of Council public hearings. (more…)

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