We Oppose “Surplussing” the Commons

The D.C. government is planning to surplus and give away “air rights” at the Chevy Chase Commons, the site of our Library and Community Center, for the development of mostly high-priced residences, that will include an indeterminate number of "affordable" housing units - as few as 30% of the overall units.

We Oppose the Loss of Open Public Space

We oppose the loss of the outdoor recreational facilities and green space, especially for an incompatible private land-use like housing.

The library and community center currently cover 35% of the land with the rest of the parcel covered by the Commons Park and parking.

Public Land for Public Services

We call upon our elected officials to cease surplussing plans for the now publicly-owned Chevy Chase Commons (no leasing or selling to private developers) and building anything outside of our current zoning restrictions.

No other DC community is being asked to forfeit its public Commons, especially for market-rate housing.

ANC 3/4G Chevy Chase Commons survey results are in!

ANC 3/4G has heard from you! Now what?

The Advisory Neighborhood Commission for Chevy Chase (ANC 3/4G) announced a survey seeking your feedback about the future of the Commons. Commissioners posted the survey on their website back in mid-October 2023 — click here

The survey results have been quietly announced here.

There are three reports posted: (1) summary results based on all 2836 responses, (2) summary results based only on 2297 ANC 3/4G resident responses, and (3) summary results based only on 539 responses from non-ANC 3/4G and non-DC residents. 

Overall headline numbers: 

  • Fifty-seven percent (57%) favor only building new or renovating the existing Chevy Chase Community Center and Library facilities or oppose any redevelopment of the site.
  • Fifty-nine percent (59%) oppose “surplussing” (i.e., declaring no longer needed for public use) any portion of the current site to enable the development of affordable housing. 
  • Nearly 70% prefer buildings not exceed five stories.  
  • The numbers above all rise when filtering the data for ANC 3/4G respondents only (in contrast, non-ANC residents more strongly support the District’s proposals as well as taller building heights).

So, now what? ANC Commissioners are studying the results. In none of the seven ANC 3/4G SMDs (single member districts) is there a majority in favor of the District’s redevelopment proposals.

ANC 3/4G needs to hear from you about how to act with these survey results. For example, should the survey results be sent to DMPED/OP (the Mayor) with a note expecting the Mayor to respond in writing with specificity as to how the city will act using this new information, or will the Mayor just plow ahead and privatize the land for more luxury housing?

Category: Action Updates

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