ANC Issues Coming Up This Fall

By Gwendolyn Lohse  

Fall in Georgetown is spectacular — the neighborhood transitions from its lovely, quiet summer vibe to its “we are back” energy. After an August hiatus, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E will resume its monthly public meetings on Sept. 2.  

For those unfamiliar with the ANC, ANC 2E serves Georgetown, Burleigh and Hillandale, acting as a liaison to District government. Residential voices amplify issues and help set ANC direction. Our monthly meetings focus on: review of applications to Planning, Zoning, the Old Georgetown Board (historic preservation), Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis, etc.; collaboration with city agencies, the Council, Georgetown University and local organizations in areas such as safety, parks and trees, transportation and schools; and advocating for improvements and identifying opportunities of all kinds. 

Key issues that ANC 2E will tackle this fall include:   

• Targeting specific improvements to city services, such as pushing for more consistent and timely trash and leaf collection. Support from Council member Brooke Pinto’s office in these areas is critical, thus ANC 2E is working to ensure we are well aligned with the Council on the importance of these services.   

• Seeking input on and widely communicating the potential impact of a notably large number of proposed zoning text amendments regarding alley lots, rear additions, etc., by the Office of Planning. Since Georgetown is one of the nation’s few federal historic districts, these changes deserve to be very carefully reviewed.   

• Pushing for solutions to micromobility parking and safety. After the National Mall, Georgetown sees the most of these vehicles in D.C. Current geofencing pilots aren’t addressing concerns, especially for those residents who live near the commercial district. ANC 2E has begun direct collaboration with the third-party companies and the District Department of Transportation on solutions that will work for Georgetown’s unique streetscape.   

• Clarifying the “streatery” concept. City regulation of streateries supposedly begins this November. Unless a temporary sidewalk (that is, a plastic sidewalk extension with Jersey barriers) contains an active restaurant in a legally safe location, the wider sidewalk will be removed. This said, the planning and resources required to have permanent street dining that aligns with Georgetown’s character and necessary functions such as loading and unloading has just begun.  

Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners are volunteer public servants, not city employees. Volunteering is rewarding. If you are interested in volunteering locally, here are some fall ideas.   

CAG, the Citizens Association of Georgetown, has its annual fundraiser on Sept. 18. Meet your neighbors and learn why CAG matters. Sept. 25 is the Friends of Rose Park Gala, supporting efforts to keep Rose Park beautiful. Oct. 14 is the GMC Gala, supporting GMC’s Drop-In Center and Street Outreach Team, which serve the unhoused.   

The more we work together, the better our neighborhood and city can be. Please reach out.  

Gwendolyn Lohse chairs Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E, serving Georgetown, Burleigh and Hillandale. 

tagsancANC 2EANC 2E Chair Gwen Lohsefall ANC updates