On Tuesday June 6, 2017, Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 4A held its regular public meeting. A number of proposed resolutions were discussed and voted on including a number of resolutions relating to the Walter Reed site. In addition, representatives from Councilmember Todd's office and Mayor Bowser's office presented updates regarding new and pending legislation and the DC Budget.
SMD 4A08 Commissioner Gale Black, in response to an inquiry from a community member in another SMD where a livability study has been proposed, described Crestwood's experience in reviewing and making recommendations on the Rock Creek East Livability study, including the current phase we are in, where DC has started implementing recommendations of the study and we are working with DDOT on design decisions and alternatives.
Commisioner Black also introduced two resolutions that were passed by the and that relate directly to Crestwood:
- The ANC passed a resolution proposed by Commissioner Black stating that the ANC supports using any funds or services that have been earmarked for the construction or repair of Carter Barron for that purpose only, and that such funds should not be re-purposed.
- The ANC also passed a resolution proposed by Commissioner Black calling for DDOT to respond promptly to ANC 4A's October 2016 resolution regarding the the construction on Beach Drive. The October 2016 resolution called for Phase II of the construction to be split into two segments so that Crestwood residents would continue to be able to cross Rock Creek Park from Blagden Avenue.
Initially, Commissioner Black was going to propose a resolution regarding the design for the Blagden Avenue sidewalk, because it was expected that a Notice of Intent would have been received. However, we have been told that the design work is still being done on the Blagden Avenue sidewalk, and as such the issue was not discussed. However, there will be a discussion of the sidewalk at the joint SMD 4A08/CCA meeting on June 20 at Grace Lutheran Church at 7pm. Ted Van Houten, DC Department of Transportation Planner will participate.
In addition, the June 20 meeting will be to discuss the portions of the DC Comprehensive Plan that relate to Crestwood. Commissioner Black will use the discussion from the June 20 meeting when considering her input into the ANC 4A recommendation regarding the Comprehensive Plan.
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About the ANCs: An ANC is a non-partisan, neighborhood body made up of locally elected representatives called Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners. They are a unique feature of the District's Home Rule Charter and were established to bring government closer to the people, and to bring the people closer to government.
The ANCs' main job is to be their neighborhood's official voice in advising the District government (and Federal agencies) on things that affect their neighborhoods. Although they are not required to follow the ANCs' advice, District agencies are required to give the ANCs' recommendations "great weight." Moreover, District law says that agencies cannot take any action that will significantly affect a neighborhood unless they give the affected ANCs 30 days advance notice. This includes zoning, streets, recreation, education, social services, sanitation, planning, safety, budget, and health services.
The ANCs may also initiate recommendations for improving city services, conduct neighborhood improvement programs, and monitor resident complaints. ANC 4A information is available at http://anc4a.org.
About ANC SMD 4A08: ANC Single Member District (SMD) 4A08 covers all of Crestwood and is the equivalent of census tract 26. The ANC 4A08 Commissioner is Gale B. Black.
About the Crestwood Citizens Association: The Crestwood Citizens Association was formed in 1941 and corresponds to the Single Member Advisory Neighborhood Commission District, ANC 4A08. Its purpose is to enhance and protect the quality of life in Crestwood while giving residents a voice in city and community affairs.Learn more about the CCA at www.crestwood-dc.org.