Can someone explain the Small Area Plan debate happening in Chevy Chase DC

[Anonymous]

I'm trying to follow the ANC meetings and educate myself but it's hard to figure out how much of the opposition is fair and how much is overblown. If you understand these topics could you provide a fair summary? I own a house in the core area of the Small Area Plan and really hope they don't allow generic high rises along Connecticut Avenue (some additional height for apartments right on Connecticut I think could make sense and create more demand for local merchants) and turn the semi-detached homes in the neighborhood into apartments covering the entire lot. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Every 10 years, the city has to undergo an update to its Comprehensive Plan. The current process started over 5 years ago.

The Mayor, using her bully pulpit, made affordable housing a priority, particularly in areas where there is a disproportionate lack of affordable housing, aka Ward 3.

As part of its "great weight," the Chevy Chase ANC suggested it would be open to more density in the commercial area particularly if it focused on adding affordable housing. In that vein, they asked for and Councilmember Cheh got funding for a "Small Area Plan" so that is what is happening now.

The Small Area Plan is the opportunity for the community to weigh in on the values and physical attributes it wants to conform future development, as well as things like the AMI level of affordable housing, how much density to trade for affordable housing etc.

The meeting last night was a bunch of grandstanding idiots who don't understand the process and like listening to themselves talk.

[Anonymous]

Basically the wealthy white people want to keep it the way it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm trying to follow the ANC meetings and educate myself but it's hard to figure out how much of the opposition is fair and how much is overblown. If you understand these topics could you provide a fair summary? I own a house in the core area of the Small Area Plan and really hope they don't allow generic high rises along Connecticut Avenue (some additional height for apartments right on Connecticut I think could make sense and create more demand for local merchants) and turn the semi-detached homes in the neighborhood into apartments covering the entire lot. Thanks!

Let me guess. There are no semidetached homes on your street?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm trying to follow the ANC meetings and educate myself but it's hard to figure out how much of the opposition is fair and how much is overblown. If you understand these topics could you provide a fair summary? I own a house in the core area of the Small Area Plan and really hope they don't allow generic high rises along Connecticut Avenue (some additional height for apartments right on Connecticut I think could make sense and create more demand for local merchants) and turn the semi-detached homes in the neighborhood into apartments covering the entire lot. Thanks!

There is no consideration on the table to alter the residential zoning off Connecticut Avenue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Basically the wealthy white people want to keep it the way it is.

Do people like you who post comments like this on DCUM not know any wealthy black people, or wealthy people of other backgrounds besides "white"? Interesting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm trying to follow the ANC meetings and educate myself but it's hard to figure out how much of the opposition is fair and how much is overblown. If you understand these topics could you provide a fair summary? I own a house in the core area of the Small Area Plan and really hope they don't allow generic high rises along Connecticut Avenue (some additional height for apartments right on Connecticut I think could make sense and create more demand for local merchants) and turn the semi-detached homes in the neighborhood into apartments covering the entire lot. Thanks!

Let me guess. There are no semidetached homes on your street?

OP here. Actually I live in one. What are you implying?

[Anonymous]

Thank you to the helpful PPs. After posting I was able to hear most of yesterday’s ANC meeting and have more clarity on the proposed height limits on Connecticut as well as expectations about changes to areas zoned for single family homes. I still would like to ask specifically about semi detached homes (do they count as single family?) as I live in one, and obviously am adjacent to its twin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you to the helpful PPs. After posting I was able to hear most of yesterday’s ANC meeting and have more clarity on the proposed height limits on Connecticut as well as expectations about changes to areas zoned for single family homes. I still would like to ask specifically about semi detached homes (do they count as single family?) as I live in one, and obviously am adjacent to its twin.

Semi-detached are still zoned residential, but just a higher density than single family, detached, but still single family.

[Anonymous]

Thank you PP!

[Anonymous]

liberal votes coming home to roost. ha!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:liberal votes coming home to roost. ha!

Not sure what this means. Most people who live in Chevy Chase welcome these changes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm trying to follow the ANC meetings and educate myself but it's hard to figure out how much of the opposition is fair and how much is overblown. If you understand these topics could you provide a fair summary? I own a house in the core area of the Small Area Plan and really hope they don't allow generic high rises along Connecticut Avenue (some additional height for apartments right on Connecticut I think could make sense and create more demand for local merchants) and turn the semi-detached homes in the neighborhood into apartments covering the entire lot. Thanks!

Let me guess. There are no semidetached homes on your street?

OP here. Actually I live in one. What are you implying?

I live in one too. Duplexes are density. That’s supposed to be part of the “missing middle.” It’s just in this area duplexes cost $1M. So you buy both sides of the duplex for $2M and then tear it down, spend another $1M building an apartment building, and the rent out family sized apartments for $1,500/month. The economics don’t work for that. The only thing you can do is build generic high rises with a set aside for affordability units.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm trying to follow the ANC meetings and educate myself but it's hard to figure out how much of the opposition is fair and how much is overblown. If you understand these topics could you provide a fair summary? I own a house in the core area of the Small Area Plan and really hope they don't allow generic high rises along Connecticut Avenue (some additional height for apartments right on Connecticut I think could make sense and create more demand for local merchants) and turn the semi-detached homes in the neighborhood into apartments covering the entire lot. Thanks!

Let me guess. There are no semidetached homes on your street?

OP here. Actually I live in one. What are you implying?

I live in one too. Duplexes are density. That’s supposed to be part of the “missing middle.” It’s just in this area duplexes cost $1M. So you buy both sides of the duplex for $2M and then tear it down, spend another $1M building an apartment building, and the rent out family sized apartments for $1,500/month. The economics don’t work for that. The only thing you can do is build generic high rises with a set aside for affordability units.

Neither does the zoning, which is why it doesn't happen.

[Anonymous]

Can anyone give an update on this? Was the small area plan approved? How tall will the buildings be? A friend who is considering the purchase of a house nearby asked me about this, and I'm not entirely clear on the answer.