WTF is wrong with DC ANCs?

[Anonymous]

http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/anc_votes_against_current_wharf_plans/5644

These boards have too much power. They stalled Apple in Georgetown among other things, they have ruined the Conn. strip in Cleveland Park and fought against Giant on Wisconsin, they fought against the Hine development. WTF.

[jsteele]

I'm pretty sure that the ANC had nothing to do with the Apple Store. That delay was caused by the Old Georgetown Board which had issues with the design.

But, to your larger issue, the influence of ANCs is pretty uneven. In some parts of the city, they are influential. But, in other parts, they are practically ignored. I imagine that our user Takoma can provide a number of examples in which ANCs proved fairly toothless.

Also, it is very easy to run for the ANC. I think you only need 25 signatures on a petition. So, if you don't like the course your ANC is plotting, challenge the incumbent and try to replace him.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:I'm pretty sure that the ANC had nothing to do with the Apple Store. That delay was caused by the Old Georgetown Board which had issues with the design.

But, to your larger issue, the influence of ANCs is pretty uneven. In some parts of the city, they are influential. But, in other parts, they are practically ignored. I imagine that our user Takoma can provide a number of examples in which ANCs proved fairly toothless.

Also, it is very easy to run for the ANC. I think you only need 25 signatures on a petition. So, if you don't like the course your ANC is plotting, challenge the incumbent and try to replace him.

But I have to work, and raise a family. They veto the most asinine things. I read the Current and really just shake my head at how NIMBYs get to control and decide our fate. Jeff are you on your local ANC?

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:I'm pretty sure that the ANC had nothing to do with the Apple Store. That delay was caused by the Old Georgetown Board which had issues with the design.

But, to your larger issue, the influence of ANCs is pretty uneven. In some parts of the city, they are influential. But, in other parts, they are practically ignored. I imagine that our user Takoma can provide a number of examples in which ANCs proved fairly toothless.

Also, it is very easy to run for the ANC. I think you only need 25 signatures on a petition. So, if you don't like the course your ANC is plotting, challenge the incumbent and try to replace him.

But I have to work, and raise a family. They veto the most asinine things. I read the Current and really just shake my head at how NIMBYs get to control and decide our fate. Jeff are you on your local ANC?

I am not on my local ANC but have informed the incumbent that as soon as my kids are in college she can expect an opponent in the next election (she is normally unopposed).

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:I'm pretty sure that the ANC had nothing to do with the Apple Store. That delay was caused by the Old Georgetown Board which had issues with the design.

But, to your larger issue, the influence of ANCs is pretty uneven. In some parts of the city, they are influential. But, in other parts, they are practically ignored. I imagine that our user Takoma can provide a number of examples in which ANCs proved fairly toothless.

Also, it is very easy to run for the ANC. I think you only need 25 signatures on a petition. So, if you don't like the course your ANC is plotting, challenge the incumbent and try to replace him.

Takoma here, but too lazy to sign on lately.

Jeff is right about the restricted influence of ANC's. They have "great weight" according to the law, but that just means that City agencies are supposed to respond to their resolutions and explain their actions when they do not follow them; it does not require that they follow them. Furthermore, there is no enforcement of that minimal requirement, so many agencies ignore it. Agencies are also required to give ANC's reasonable notice of hearings, actions, etc, but again there is no enforcement.

If some ANC's do have clout, I think it's because they are in a part of the City where the residents have clout (spell that with a $), not because they have the title ANC.

It is also true, as Jeff says, that there is a very low threshold to get on an ANC, and among the 300 or so commissioners in the City, there is great variation, and some commissions are virtually dysfunctional. But as has been said of DC and many states, if government were judged by the worst of our officials, we would abandon democracy.

[Anonymous]

This is not intended to discourage anyone from running, but be prepared for a job with no pay and almost no perks (except for a parking permit that allows free parking when on official business), and constituents who think they are entitled to your attention 24/7. Do not go in with the belief that you have veto power over anything of consequence, but if you believe in democracy, it's a good way to put your energy where your thoughts are.

PS, I am not an ANC, but am intimately connected to one.

[Anonymous]

When you combine ANCs with the VA process, you get absurd results and individuals with FAR more power than they should have over municipal affairs. Witness the current mess with Hank's Oyster Bar (althought to be bair, the ANC isn't the culprit there, other than that their failure to follow proper procedures allowed the neighborhood busybodies to have grounds to disrupt the process).

[Anonymous]

I live in Mt. Pleasant and have for 11 years. Just take a walk down Mt. Pleasant street and you will know all you need to know about ANCs. They have stifled any type of progress or development that would "gentrify" the area, that is, any business that does not cater to the Latino community. Meanwhile, a good deal of the Latino community no longer lives in Mt Pleasant and the residents would like to have a more vibrant streetscape with more restaurants and other businesses serving the people who live here. The community has changed and there are many boarded up storefronts. Over the years, Mt Pleasant has also gained a reputation as being business unfriendly due to the intransigent ANC. A few new businesses have moved in recently, but Mt. Pleasant Street is still crappy.

I take advantage of approximately 5 places on the street Radius Pizza, Heller's Bakery, Old Time Hardware, Flying Fish Coffee & Tea and Nana.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:I live in Mt. Pleasant and have for 11 years. Just take a walk down Mt. Pleasant street and you will know all you need to know about ANCs. They have stifled any type of progress or development that would "gentrify" the area, that is, any business that does not cater to the Latino community. Meanwhile, a good deal of the Latino community no longer lives in Mt Pleasant and the residents would like to have a more vibrant streetscape with more restaurants and other businesses serving the people who live here. The community has changed and there are many boarded up storefronts. Over the years, Mt Pleasant has also gained a reputation as being business unfriendly due to the intransigent ANC. A few new businesses have moved in recently, but Mt. Pleasant Street is still crappy.

I take advantage of approximately 5 places on the street Radius Pizza, Heller's Bakery, Old Time Hardware, Flying Fish Coffee & Tea and Nana.

I may be wrong, but I believe this is another case where the ANC is being unfairly blamed. I think the real issue in MP is the Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Alliance. One of the previous posters mentioned "VAs" which are "voluntary agreements". In some people's minds, the MPNA is the worse case scenario for voluntary agreements. To open a restaurant or get a liquor license or so on, a business has to agree to a VA. MPNA has used this to drastically restrict music, for instance, in MP establishments. Mt. Pleasant fights between MPNA and other MP residents -- including at least one very vocal ANC commissioner -- are legendary.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

I am not on my local ANC but have informed the incumbent that as soon as my kids are in college she can expect an opponent in the next election (she is normally unopposed).

Have you considered a run for the city council? Or running for ANC now and then city council?

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

I am not on my local ANC but have informed the incumbent that as soon as my kids are in college she can expect an opponent in the next election (she is normally unopposed).

Have you considered a run for the city council? Or running for ANC now and then city council?

I haven't given thought to anything other than the ANC and even that will be years from now.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

I am not on my local ANC but have informed the incumbent that as soon as my kids are in college she can expect an opponent in the next election (she is normally unopposed).

Have you considered a run for the city council? Or running for ANC now and then city council?

I haven't given thought to anything other than the ANC and even that will be years from now.

I understand. I do realize it's kind of a thankless task and a huge drain on family life. But it would be nice to see more competent people entering District politics for the right reasons.