What is an ANC anyway?

A DC Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) is a hyper-local advisory body which represents the neighborhood and provides input on DC government policies, zoning, and community issues. ANCs have been around since 1973, when D.C. gained home rule.

 

The Commission’s main role is to be the neighborhood’s official voice in advising the District government (and Federal agencies) on things that affect us. Although they are not required to follow the ANCs’ advice, District agencies must give the ANCs’ recommendations “great weight.” Additionally, District law prevents agencies from taking any actions that will significantly affect a neighborhood without giving 30 days' notice to the ANC. These actions include things like zoning, safe streets, recreation, education, social services, sanitation, planning, safety, budget, and health services. There are 46 commissions that generally align with the city’s eight wards. Ward 6 has six commissions in total – 6A through 6F – of varying sizes. Specifically, Southwest is in ANC 6D. Each of the commissions, including ANC 6D, meets monthly.

 

Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners are unpaid, non-partisan elected officials charged with representing approximately 2,000 residents each who live in what are known as single-member districts (SMDs). There are 345 elected Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners across D.C.

 

You can look up your SMD and Commissioner with this tool!

 

For a deeper-dive into the history and authority of ANCs, check out this great reporting by The 51st News.

 

If elected, I would represent SMD 6D-04, which includes: 

• 301 M

• The Artline Apartments

• The Lex and Leo apartment buildings

• Eliot on 4th (this is where I live!)

• The Westerly

• Townhomes on the east side of 6th Street SW, south of G Street SW

• Future apartments currently under construction on 6th Street SW and I (eye) Street SW

• Future apartments on the currently empty lots of 4th and M Streets SW

• Amidon-Bowen Elementary School

• The retail spaces on 4th Street SW

• The DC government buildings on 4th Street SW

• The Southwest Metro Station