CHEVY CHASE ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION (ANC 3/4G)

The following is a resolution adopted by a vote of 6-0 Commissioners (a quorum of four being present) of ANC 3/4G (the “Commission”) on November 10, 2008:

Resolution Re: Proposed Designation of Portions of the Chevy Chase Neighborhood as an Historic District

RECITALS:

1. For approximately the last two years, the Commission has reviewed, studied and considered the issue of designating portions of the Chevy Chase neighborhood as a Historic District. The Commission has reviewed and considered the draft Historic District Designation Application prepared by the nonprofit organization known as Historic Chevy Chase DC (HCCDC).
2. The Commission has held two formal public hearings on this issue and has participated in several other ANC and community meetings on this subject. There has been substantial opportunity for public comment on the matter over the course of the past two years.
3. The Commission and neighborhood have had the benefit of briefings by officials of the DC Historic Preservation Office on several occasions concerning many aspects of this issue and the Commission has also reviewed draft Guidelines for the Chevy Chase Neighborhood concerning the administration of any possible Historic District for Chevy Chase prepared by the HPO office.
4. Starting in September, 2008, the Commission (jointly with ANC 3E and the Chevy Chase Citizens Association) conducted a neighborhood survey of some 930 property owners located within the boundaries of the proposed Historic District to determine their views on the subject. The survey results indicated that of the 474 property owners (51%) who responded to the survey, 108 (22.9%) were in favor, 363 (77.1%) were opposed and 3 had no opinion.

NOW THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED THAT:

1. The Commission has carefully reviewed and considered the proposed designation of portions of the Chevy Chase neighborhood as a Historic District, including its perceived advantages and disadvantages for the neighborhood.
2. As indicated in the foregoing RECITALS, the clear indication from over three-fourths of the property owners responding to the survey mentioned above is that they oppose the proposed designation.
3. Therefore, on the basis of all information and materials available to the Commission, in its considered opinion, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 3/4G, votes this day and has determined to OPPOSE the proposed designation of portions of the Chevy Chase neighborhood as a Historic District.

The Commission authorizes its staff to notify, by any and all appropriate means, all appropriate officials of the District of Columbia of its vote and determination in this matter, including but not limited to officials of the Historic Preservation Review Board, the Historic Preservation Office, the Mayor, the Council of the District of Columbia and all concerned neighborhood residents and businesses.

Further, while HCCDC has indicated its intent not to submit the draft application for Historic District designation to the HPRB and HPO, in light of the results of the neighborhood survey, the ANC expresses its views in this Resolution: (i) so as to provide such views to the extent that they are relevant to any District office or officials; (ii) for the purpose of providing such views for the information of the constituents of the Chevy Chase ANC; and (iii) specifically to set this vote and determination of the ANC as precedent for future Advisory Neighborhood Commissions to consider should this matter be re-proposed in the future by HCCDC or any other organization seeking to apply to have any portion of the Chevy Chase neighborhood designated as a Historic District.

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 3/4G

By: ________________________________

Jerry Levine, Chair