Open Seat, Contested
Email: isaac.bowers@gmail.com
Twitter: @i_bowers
In 3A03, CPSG endorses Isaac Bowers. 3A03, an open seat, is the only contested race in ANC 3A. Like the previous commissioner for this seat, Hans Miller, Bowers supports building out more multimodal transportation infrastructure. He supports a return to Concept C for Connecticut Avenue protected bike lanes but also other area roadways, including Wisconsin Avenue. Both Bowers and his opponent, Maria Perisic, express support for allowing house-scale apartments in residential areas exclusively zoned today for single-family homes. We hope this is a common sense issue that can find support across the areas ANCs. Bowers has been an active member of CPSG and frequently lends his voice to issues before District policy makers. 3A03 covers the westernmost portion of Cleveland Park, Hearst Park, Pool, and School, Sidwell, Cathedral Commons and the east side of Wisconsin Ave north to Van Ness Street.
CPSG ANC 3A Questionnaire
1) WMATA has been working on a redesign of the area’s bus system, a project called Better Bus. In DC, the changes would affect bus riders in ANC 3A. Information about the project can be found here.
Question: Do you support the current proposal to redesign the WMATA bus system as it affects the residents of ANC 3A? (Yes / No)
If yes, explain what you think the benefits will be for the area.
If no, explain why and/or any alternative you would propose.
Answer: Yes. It does not look to me as though bus service on Wisconsin Avenue will be materially affected by the change with a line still operating at 12 minutes or better on that route. But I think an updated data driven and regional approach that aligns with current needs and traffic patterns is a good one. While understanding this is a vision and (I believe) still depends on funding, I think it is worth engaging with and supporting.
2a) Earlier this year, Mayor Bowser changed her mind and halted any further planning for protected bike lanes on Connecticut Ave.
Question: If presented with the opportunity to revive the planning for protected bike lanes on Connecticut Ave, would you support it? (Yes / No)
If yes, explain what you think the benefits will be for the area.
If no, explain why and/or any alternative you would propose.
Answer: Yes. I ride my bike up and down Connecticut Avenue three days a week because it is the fastest route to downtown despite the lack of bike lanes. A dedicated and protected bike line will help make biking downtown feel safer and feasible for many more people and help get people out of their cars. The benefits of a dedicated bike lane include: a safer and less congested Connecticut Avenue; cleaner air; alternatives to cars for many; and more for foot traffic for local businesses.
2b) Where in ANC 3A would support adding protected bike lanes? Please add any additional comments on your views on the subject.
Answer: Personally I think that the city needs to be connected by a network of dedicated and protected bike lanes to make this a safe alternative to driving across the city. Any street that can make this a reality I would consider a good candidate for a bike lane, including Wisconsin Avenue which is very congested.
3) Earlier this year, Cleveland Park Smart Growth partnered with Virginia Commonwealth University grad student, Mac Hyde, on a planning study to consider how gentle density could be added to the single-family-only zoned residential areas around the Woodley Park, Cleveland Park, and Van Ness Metro stations. The recommendations from the study were to allow for multi-family residences while keeping the building sizes allowed for single-family zones houses.
Question: Realizing this proposal does not directly affect ANC 3A, but considering the broader goal raised by it, would you be open to changing zoning in single-family-only zones to allow for house-sized apartments, or conversion of single-family homes into multi-family? (Yes / No)
If yes, explain what you think the benefits will be for the area.
If no, explain why and/or any alternative you would propose.
Answer: Yes. NW DC has not done enough to provide the additional housing the district needs. Building more housing will help diversify and enliven our neighborhoods and is an issue of basic fairness. I support an all of the above approach to housing affordability but the primary driver of affordability will always be supply.
4) Please tell us anything else about you and your decision to run for ANC that you would like the members of CPSG and the broader community to know about you.
Answer: I have served on the board of the Cleveland Park Community Association for several years and have been a member of CPSG during that time as ways to support a neighborhood my family loves to live in. I strongly believe we need safer and slower streets, better public transit, dedicated bike lanes, more (and more affordable) housing, public safety and vibrant business districts. Those are my priorities and the reason I am running for Commissioner.
Cleveland Park Smart Growth 