Looks like CC Historic District is Dead

[Anonymous]

From the Historic Preservation Office

In November 2023, a nomination for a Chevy Chase Historic District was submitted to the Historic Preservation Office (HPO) by the Chevy Chase DC Conservancy. In order to meet the expectations of the Historic Preservation Review Board, HPO has encouraged the applicants to conduct community outreach and education efforts on the proposal. Based on the information that HPO has received to date, it is clear that public sentiment on the proposal is sharply divided. Additionally, HPO’s preliminary assessment is that the proposed boundaries are not sufficiently justified.

Given the lack of community consensus and concerns about the proposed boundaries, as well as the need to conduct a citywide analysis in order to more effectively evaluate historic district nominations, HPO is not prepared to recommend that the current proposal for a Chevy Chase Historic District be considered by the HPRB at this time.
In Fall 2024, HPO will begin data collection, mapping, and equity analysis of historic resources across the District. This work will be critical in informing HPO’s evaluation of future historic district proposals.

HPO staff will continue to be available for inquiries from all residents and organizations about the recognition and protection of historic resources in their neighborhoods.
This announcement is also posted here: https://app.box.com/s/hmncwx4ro7qhkw3taxp66wz9ubcdey2e
DC HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE

[Anonymous]

good. the whole thing was just designed to make it harder to develop denser/more affordable housing.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't say it is dead. It sounds like the DC Office of Planning wants to audit all of the eligible neighborhoods remaining in DC including Chevy Chase. Legally, the application is still pending and will be heard after this study is conducted. The release indicated the study would be done in 2024, so it seems that the case would be heard by HPRB sometime in 2025.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't say it is dead. It sounds like the DC Office of Planning wants to audit all of the eligible neighborhoods remaining in DC including Chevy Chase. Legally, the application is still pending and will be heard after this study is conducted. The release indicated the study would be done in 2024, so it seems that the case would be heard by HPRB sometime in 2025.

I doubt any study by the city will be completed in 3 months. Best case, this has been punted to 2026...and hopefully, better guidelines will be introduced that require showing the public (in particular the affected area) is overwhelmingly in favor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't say it is dead. It sounds like the DC Office of Planning wants to audit all of the eligible neighborhoods remaining in DC including Chevy Chase. Legally, the application is still pending and will be heard after this study is conducted. The release indicated the study would be done in 2024, so it seems that the case would be heard by HPRB sometime in 2025.

I doubt any study by the city will be completed in 3 months. Best case, this has been punted to 2026...and hopefully, better guidelines will be introduced that require showing the public (in particular the affected area) is overwhelmingly in favor.

That would require a change in the law. Public sentiment has no role under current law.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:good. the whole thing was just designed to make it harder to develop denser/more affordable housing.

Is there a big need for that in CC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:good. the whole thing was just designed to make it harder to develop denser/more affordable housing.

Have you seen the development in Shaw, Anacostia, U Street, 14th Street and other historic districts over the past 20 years? A CC historic district would not impact anything being proposed up there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:good. the whole thing was just designed to make it harder to develop denser/more affordable housing.

Is there a big need for that in CC?

yes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:good. the whole thing was just designed to make it harder to develop denser/more affordable housing.

Is there a big need for that in CC?

Yes, though I think PP is wrong that the historic district would stop it. Like all neighborhoods, CC needs more density along the major avenues (Conn and Nebraska) which are currently underutilized. That density would take the form of more multi-family housing, which is naturally cheaper (it IS a city after all -- density is a defining feature of urban space) but would also incorporate more retail level business which is good for the city's overall tax base. You can do all this without touching most of SFH in the neighborhood, though I think in buffer areas between commercial avenues and residential streets, people benefit from allowing conversion of SFHs to small condo buildings, as it offers greater variety of housing and also greats a more natural segue from the mixed-used commercial zones to the SFH areas -- you wind up with less friction between residents of small condo buildings (who are generally okay with more noise/traffic) and the commercial businesses, than you would between SFH owners who envision a suburban-style experience even if they are located less than a block from retail level business.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:good. the whole thing was just designed to make it harder to develop denser/more affordable housing.

Is there a big need for that in CC?

Yes, though I think PP is wrong that the historic district would stop it. Like all neighborhoods, CC needs more density along the major avenues (Conn and Nebraska) which are currently underutilized. That density would take the form of more multi-family housing, which is naturally cheaper (it IS a city after all -- density is a defining feature of urban space) but would also incorporate more retail level business which is good for the city's overall tax base. You can do all this without touching most of SFH in the neighborhood, though I think in buffer areas between commercial avenues and residential streets, people benefit from allowing conversion of SFHs to small condo buildings, as it offers greater variety of housing and also greats a more natural segue from the mixed-used commercial zones to the SFH areas -- you wind up with less friction between residents of small condo buildings (who are generally okay with more noise/traffic) and the commercial businesses, than you would between SFH owners who envision a suburban-style experience even if they are located less than a block from retail level business.

You successfully included every YIMBY talking point/density bro talking point into a paragraph. These are not facts, but preferences.

[Anonymous]

here's the best piece I've read on the proposal. Quite glad it's dead. Racists gonna racist. https://ggwash.org/view/93212/chevy-chase-historic-district-applicants-admit-what-its-actually-about

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:here's the best piece I've read on the proposal. Quite glad it's dead. Racists gonna racist. https://ggwash.org/view/93212/chevy-chase-historic-district-applicants-admit-what-its-actually-about

But that said, the city needs to coordinate across agencies and plan for urban density at already overcrowded schools. Which the mayor is proposing to shortchange in the upcoming school year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:good. the whole thing was just designed to make it harder to develop denser/more affordable housing.

Is there a big need for that in CC?

Yes, though I think PP is wrong that the historic district would stop it. Like all neighborhoods, CC needs more density along the major avenues (Conn and Nebraska) which are currently underutilized. That density would take the form of more multi-family housing, which is naturally cheaper (it IS a city after all -- density is a defining feature of urban space) but would also incorporate more retail level business which is good for the city's overall tax base. You can do all this without touching most of SFH in the neighborhood, though I think in buffer areas between commercial avenues and residential streets, people benefit from allowing conversion of SFHs to small condo buildings, as it offers greater variety of housing and also greats a more natural segue from the mixed-used commercial zones to the SFH areas -- you wind up with less friction between residents of small condo buildings (who are generally okay with more noise/traffic) and the commercial businesses, than you would between SFH owners who envision a suburban-style experience even if they are located less than a block from retail level business.

There are massive apartment buildings up and down Connecticut. Why are these buildings invisible to the GGWash crowd? They seem to think they don't exist.

[Anonymous]

DP, but the specific intersection at CT and Neb is very low density as is the chevy chase commercial area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DP, but the specific intersection at CT and Neb is very low density as is the chevy chase commercial area.

Maybe that’s why people moved near there.