Civic Core Resolution Responses

The ANC passed this resolution on the redevelopment of the community center and library. These are the city agency responses.

The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) Response:

First, the best agencies to reply to the institutional needs for the future library, community center, and outdoor space are the agencies that oversee these facilities, namely DPR and DCPL. Director Reyes-Gavilan provided DCPL’s response on September 8, 2023. We have followed up with DPR related to its response to the ANC’s resolution.

Second, the zoning process is being undertaken by the Office of Planning. Director Cozart provided OP’s response to the ANC’s resolution on September 11, 2023.

Third, respondents to a DMPED solicitation related to the Chevy Chase Civic Site may include development proposals that include adjacent parcels. Prospective respondents to a solicitation often engage with the ANC and community when they are crafting their solicitation responses. During this engagement the ANC or individual commissioners may wish to provide constituent perspectives, including adding adjacent parcels into a solicitation response.

If you have additional questions, do not hesitate to reach out. We look forward to robust community engagement during the upcoming OurRFP meetings on October 14th and 18th.

Regards,

Gilles Stucker | Director Strategic Initiatives

Government of the District of Columbia

Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning & Economic Development

Office of Planning Response:

OP is preparing a report to the Zoning Commission which proposes zoning that would implement the policy objectives outlined in the 2021 Comprehensive Plan and the Chevy Chase Small Area Plan.  Specifically the proposal would allow for 1) a broad range of community uses (including a library and recreation center) as well as housing on the civic site, and 2) housing and commercial uses for the Connecticut Avenue corridor, inclusive of the Wells Fargo site. 

OP will submit this report to the Zoning Commission later this month.  During a public meeting in late October or early November, the Zoning Commission will decide whether the proposed zoning in OP’s report should be set down for a public hearing.  If the proposal is set down, the Commission would then consider the proposal during a public hearing, likely to be scheduled for early 2024. 

Given the timeline noted above, OP anticipates there will be an opportunity prior to the public hearing to review the comments from the community survey referenced in the ANC 3/4G’s recent resolution. Often zoning proposals are refined to respond to community feedback on the proposal which is provided between the time the Zoning Commission meets to decide to set down the proposal, and the time of the Commission’s scheduled public hearing on the proposal.  

We look forward to continued discussions with the ANC and community as this process continues.  OP staff are available to attend your upcoming meeting to speak about this process.  You may follow up directly with OP staffers Joel Lawson and Maxine Brown Roberts, who are copied on this message.   

Warm regards,

 Anita Cozart

Director

DC Office of Planning

DC Public Library (DCPL) Response:

Regarding, DCPL's institutional needs, as you know we generally seek ~20,000 square feet for a neighborhood library and develop the program organically and flexibly based on best practices, site specificities, and community needs. Clearly, in the case of the Chevy Chase project, we have a unique opportunity to work collaboratively with DPR to address program overlap and ways we might create a more integrated and welcoming library and recreation center. To that end, DCPL and DPR are excited to meet this coming Tuesday morning to compare general program requirements and ways we might deliver services to the community more efficiently and holistically. 

For what it's worth, here is a link to some of our generic aspirations as they relate to new libraries including the final program for our two most recent library projects: Lamond-Riggs Library (2022) and Southwest Library (2021). I hope you find the information helpful and we continue to look forward to working with all of you.

Richard Reyes-Gavilan
Executive Director
DC Public Library

Department of Parks and Recreation Response:

Dear Members of Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 3/4G:

The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) has received your ANC 3/4G Civic Core Site Resolution, approved on July 24, 2023. In response to your request for clarity on the "institutional needs" for the future community center and outdoor space, DPR wishes to share the following programmatic goals for the renovated Chevy Chase Recreation Center listed below. In addition, like the DC Public Library (DCPL), we look forward to working collaboratively with our sister agency to identify ways to integrate similar programmatic spaces where it makes sense.

DPR Programmatic Goals for Chevy Chase Community Center

1) Flexible and efficient facilities that support a range of recreation and community uses.

2) Enhance the comfort, accessibility, inclusion, and safety for all users.

3) Promote a multi-generational environment for the arts, recreation, play, and learning for all demographics that promotes sociability, health, and wellness.

4) Enhance the recreation center's design through biophilic principles and the natural environment.

5) Enhance connectivity between DPR's facility, other government services, and community entities.

6) Create an inviting, memorable, and fun place that is accessible to everyone.

DPR has received $19.5M in its capital budget to substantially renovate the Chevy Chase Community Center. As with all DPR capital projects, we will tailor the ultimate design and plan for the facility to the project budget.

We appreciate this unique opportunity to collaborate with our partners at DCPL and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) to bring a unique, one-of-a-kind asset to the Chevy Chase community.

We look forward to continued engagement with our partner agencies, the ANC, and community stakeholders as we bring this project into reality.

_____________________________________

Tommie L. Jones, Jr.

Chief of External Affairs

DC Department of Parks and Recreation