ANC6A on the Zoning Administrator debacle

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Note: I hear that the removal of Bill Crews had to do with the issuance of certificates of occupancy for the place that Robert Siegel opened (for a time, until the permits were withdrawn) on West Virginia Avenue NE.

See "Mayor Nominates 6 Department Heads" subtitled "Fenty's Selections Include Chief Of Troubled Regulatory Agency" and "Relocated Adult Club Is Facing Shutdown in NE," subtitled "City Officials Say Owner Misrepresented Plans," both from the Washington Post.
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From email:

Re: Zoning Administrator Bill Crews

Dear Mayor Fenty:

It was with great regret that ANC 6A commissioners learned that Bill Crews had been placed on administrative leave. While we did not always agree with Mr. Crews¢ decisions and interpretations of zoning regulations, he was a competent, fair, and honest Zoning Administrator--one of the best the city has had in decades.

Mr. Crews was willing to actively engage with our community, listen to our concerns, and gather all pertinent facts prior to making a decision. The interests of our ANC always received a fair hearing. Differing from most other government administrators, Mr. Crews always was willing to return to the community and explain the reasons for his decisions. Our community has particularly appreciated the attention Mr. Crews paid to the revitalization of H Street, N.E. and the development of the zoning overlay that guides that development.

Mr. Crews also brought transparency and integrity to the Zoning Administrator¢s office, bringing the operations and policies of the office into public view, eliminating questionable ethical practices, and reviving citizen confidence in the impartiality of permitting procedures.

Thanks to his leadership, the office is now no longer perceived as simply a tool of special interests and developers with deep pockets and political connections. Mr. Crews dealt in an even-handed way with everyone.

The city is losing one of its most talented and dedicated administrators. We hope that whoever you select for Zoning Administrator exhibits the same degree of openness, impartiality, integrity, and respect for the community as Mr. Crews did during his tenure.

On behalf of the Commission,

Joseph Fengler
Chair, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6A