What is an Advisory Neighborhood Commission?

First established in 1976, Advisory Neighborhood Commissions are non-partisan neighborhood bodies made up of locally-elected representatives called Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners. ANCs were established to bring the government closer to the people and the people closer to the government. Commissioners serve two-year terms without pay and are elected in November in even-numbered years (e.g., 2024, 2026, 2028).

ANCs and the Commissioners who serve on them are responsible to their constituents for being their neighborhood's official voice in advising the District government (and Federal agencies) on matters that affect their neighborhoods. Although District agencies are not required to follow an ANC’s advice, they are required by law to give an ANC’s recommendations “great weight.” Moreover, District law says that agencies cannot take any action that will significantly affect a neighborhood—including zoning, streets, recreation, education, social services, sanitation, planning, safety, budget, and health services—unless they give the affected ANC 30 days’ advance notice. 

ANCs and commissioners may also initiate recommendations for improving city services, conduct neighborhood improvement programs, and monitor resident complaints. 

The boundaries of ANC 1A are represented in red on the map below.

There are now 46 ANCs, up from 40 before the 2022 redistricting. Each ANC area is subdivided into several smaller areas. Since only one Commissioner is elected per area or district, each is called a Single Member District (SMD). Each SMD consists of about 2,000 people. Although the SMDs should have equal populations, ANCs may vary widely in size. The largest ANCs have 10 SMDs (ANC 1A is the largest ANC in the District). The smallest has just 2. As a result of the population growth shown in the 2020 census, the number of SMDs has increased from 296 to 345.

What is a Single-Member District?

Each ANC is divided into smaller areas called Single Member Districts (SMDs), which consist of about 2,000 people per district. One Commissioner is elected to represent each SMD.

What are the boundaries of SMD 1A06?

Park Road NW bounds it to the north; Sherman Ave. NW to the east; Irving St. NW to the south; and the middle line of 14th St NW to the west. Using your address here, you can find out whether you reside within SMD 1A06 (or another SMD).

• Where is ANC 1A located?

ANC 1A encompasses most of the Columbia Heights neighborhood. With some exceptions, it generally stretches from Spring Rd NW to Euclid St NW north to south and Sherman Ave NW to 16th St NW east to west. Single Member District 06 is located in the northern area of Columbia Heights and ANC 1A. It is generally between Irving Rd NW and Park Rd NW north to south, and 14th St NW and Sherman Ave NW east to west, with a few exceptions.

How often does the ANC meet?

Pursuant to DC Code §1-309.11(b)(1), each Commission must meet at least nine times per year. All Members of ANC 1A (which includes commissioners from ten SMDs) hold regular public meetings on the second Wednesday of every month, except for specified recess periods, usually in the summer and winter. Meetings must be announced at least seven days in advance.

How do I bring business or make a presentation before the ANC?

Pursuant to DC Code §1-309.11(b)(3), “[e]ach Commission shall set aside a portion of each public meeting to hear the views of residents within the Commission area and other affected persons on problems or issues of concern within the Commission area and on proposed District government actions that affect the Commission area.  Community views shall be adequately considered in positions taken by the Commission.” Any resident wishing to raise a concern or complaint may do so at regularly scheduled meetings.

If you have a business item, such as a liquor or cannabis license application or zoning variance/special exception request, that you’d like to bring before the ANC, a resident, business, or stakeholder is encouraged to contact the Commissioner of jurisdiction—within whose district your home, business, construction project, or other activity is located—to discuss the action, identify next steps, and be added to a public meeting agenda. Before that meeting with a Commissioner or attending a public meeting, a resident, business, or stakeholder should also meet with any community group(s) that are or would be affected. You can determine what SMD your home, business, or project is located in here and the name and contact information for the Commissioner who represents that SMD here.

If you have a business item that requires urgent attention or is of an emergency nature, you should contact the SMD Commissioner to discuss the matter and schedule consideration by the full Commission as soon as practicable.