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The DC Zoning hearing to review the Primal Fitness request (Case 17798) was rescheduled at the August 1, 2008 meeting. The hearing has been rescheduled for September 9 at 9:30 am. As noted below, any interested parties need to have their responses to Zoning by September 5th.
Primal Fitness operates out of the old firehouse at 219 M Street NW.
AGENDA
Case Number : 17798
Case Name : Application of Primal Fitness Inc.
Case Summary : (User Variance) pursuant to 11 DCMR § 3103.2, for a variance from the use provisions to operate a fitness center under subsection 330.5, in the R-4 District at premises 219 M Street, N.W. (Square 555, Lot 805).
ANC : 6C02
Result : The Board rescheduled its decision to September 9, 2008. Filing is due from the Applicant by August 29 and a response from the Parties by September 5.
Comments
just curious, what programming do they offer that say Results does not?
Posted By richard rogers / At 8/13/08 9:33 AM
Posted By richard rogers / At 8/13/08 9:33 AM
So what is Primal Fitness applying for exactly?
Posted By RT / At 8/13/08 3:47 PM
Posted By RT / At 8/13/08 3:47 PM
Check out their web site for the specifics of what they offer. The site is http://www.primal-fitness.com
With regard to the zoning request, they are requesting a variance to allow a business to operate in a residentially zoned area. The other businesses on the block already have the variance (the store,market, hair salon, restaurant, laundry) and they are asking permission to operate a business at that location as well. There are very few houses actually on that block at this time.
Posted By Rob A / At 8/14/08 1:07 PM
With regard to the zoning request, they are requesting a variance to allow a business to operate in a residentially zoned area. The other businesses on the block already have the variance (the store,market, hair salon, restaurant, laundry) and they are asking permission to operate a business at that location as well. There are very few houses actually on that block at this time.
Posted By Rob A / At 8/14/08 1:07 PM
The whole block is basically commercial and they've been operating there for some time without any negative impact to neighbors.
Posted By Megan / At 8/14/08 6:42 PM
Posted By Megan / At 8/14/08 6:42 PM
I attended the MVSNA meeting where Primal Fitness and the neighboring business testified. As mentioned previously in this thread Primal Fitness operates out of an old Firehouse. The firehouse has R-4 residential zoning yet is situated on a block among several businesses. I gathered that the R-4 zoning was antiquated because when the fire department occupied the lot they weren't bound by the zoning. Now that they are gone and have left a space that's more easily adaptable to commercial rather than residential it's created this awkward need for a variance. It was also said that the District has been more than happy to assess commercial taxes all this time on the property so getting the zoning in-line shouldn't require an act of congress.
During the MVSNA meeting the Primal Fitness proprietor presented his case. He has the support of neighbor in a residential building that shares a common wall with the firehouse. He outlined improvements he's made to the building to sound proof it and ensure that the structure can withstand use as a gym. The primal fitness website has said that weights above 95lbs can only be lifted in the backroom (which a i believe has a floating floor). His business is positive for the community as it is frequented for training by many police, firefighters and military. He also has offered to train youth.
The contentious part of the presentation is when his other neighbor (B & M Food store) chimed in. She had complaints of all types ranging from claims that her walls shake when gym patrons drop weights to implying it was scandalous that Primal-Fitness clients run around the neighborhood in SHORTS!!! (gasp) The 'walls shake' claim was more sympathetic than her other nitpicks. The aforementioned residential neighbor that shares a wall with the gym and has none of these complaints. Yet her building is detached by a 5 foot alley and shakes? Really the only way to resolve that dispute is for an independent engineer to assess the vibrations and judge if they are excessive. Primal Fitness and the owner of the firehouse who leases to Primal Fitness stated that analysis was in the plans.
Posted By Jason / At 8/14/08 11:57 PM
During the MVSNA meeting the Primal Fitness proprietor presented his case. He has the support of neighbor in a residential building that shares a common wall with the firehouse. He outlined improvements he's made to the building to sound proof it and ensure that the structure can withstand use as a gym. The primal fitness website has said that weights above 95lbs can only be lifted in the backroom (which a i believe has a floating floor). His business is positive for the community as it is frequented for training by many police, firefighters and military. He also has offered to train youth.
The contentious part of the presentation is when his other neighbor (B & M Food store) chimed in. She had complaints of all types ranging from claims that her walls shake when gym patrons drop weights to implying it was scandalous that Primal-Fitness clients run around the neighborhood in SHORTS!!! (gasp) The 'walls shake' claim was more sympathetic than her other nitpicks. The aforementioned residential neighbor that shares a wall with the gym and has none of these complaints. Yet her building is detached by a 5 foot alley and shakes? Really the only way to resolve that dispute is for an independent engineer to assess the vibrations and judge if they are excessive. Primal Fitness and the owner of the firehouse who leases to Primal Fitness stated that analysis was in the plans.
Posted By Jason / At 8/14/08 11:57 PM
thanks all for the comments.
Posted By richard rogers / At 8/15/08 5:00 AM
Posted By richard rogers / At 8/15/08 5:00 AM
The "shorts" comments and the follow-up one about guys running around with no shirts didn't come from the owner of the store. There were other neighbors in the area that had those frivilous complaints. Please don't confuse those comments with the issues of structural damage to the neighboring store.
I have been informed that there has been a structural engineer's report but no one has made the public findings public yet. Also the MVSNA zoning variance approval was contingent upon the findings of the engineer's report and with Primal Fitness being able to work out their differences with the store.
However, the owner of Primal Fitness has to not only get the zoning variance approved but also get the proper business licenses to operate a business out of that location. Right now, neither are in place.
Posted By Rob A / At 8/15/08 2:19 PM
I have been informed that there has been a structural engineer's report but no one has made the public findings public yet. Also the MVSNA zoning variance approval was contingent upon the findings of the engineer's report and with Primal Fitness being able to work out their differences with the store.
However, the owner of Primal Fitness has to not only get the zoning variance approved but also get the proper business licenses to operate a business out of that location. Right now, neither are in place.
Posted By Rob A / At 8/15/08 2:19 PM
Whats wrong with shirtless men running around the neighborhood? more eyes on the street & make the dealers uncomfortable.
Posted By Si Kailian / At 8/18/08 7:03 AM
Posted By Si Kailian / At 8/18/08 7:03 AM
shirtless men running through the neighborhood.
well, this goes back a few years but the last shirtless man i remember running around was over at the old GAS STATION FROM HELL that was located on the corner of 8th and M NW. Willy's i think it was called. they were open and sold tires 24 hours a day and had many robberies, assault and batteries. they sold gas too until i called DCRA which shut them down for having leaking under grade gas storage tanks. there were two men having some sort of drama one afternoon and i recall seeing one shirtless man chasing another shirtless man with a machete.
Posted By richard / At 8/18/08 7:22 AM
well, this goes back a few years but the last shirtless man i remember running around was over at the old GAS STATION FROM HELL that was located on the corner of 8th and M NW. Willy's i think it was called. they were open and sold tires 24 hours a day and had many robberies, assault and batteries. they sold gas too until i called DCRA which shut them down for having leaking under grade gas storage tanks. there were two men having some sort of drama one afternoon and i recall seeing one shirtless man chasing another shirtless man with a machete.
Posted By richard / At 8/18/08 7:22 AM
Si, like you, I have no problem with shirtless men running around the neighborhood .... just reporting what was said by one resident....
The fitness group promised to run through the alleys and such to help deter crime ... and they have been doing so. Thanks Primal Fitness!
Posted By Rob A / At 8/18/08 7:39 AM
The fitness group promised to run through the alleys and such to help deter crime ... and they have been doing so. Thanks Primal Fitness!
Posted By Rob A / At 8/18/08 7:39 AM
hey y'all do leave me out of the free expression movement.
Posted By richard / At 8/18/08 7:44 AM
Posted By richard / At 8/18/08 7:44 AM
^insert not after do
Posted By richard / At 8/18/08 9:21 AM
Posted By richard / At 8/18/08 9:21 AM
