Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs) are bodies of local government in the District of Columbia, the capital city of the United States. The ANC system was created in 1974 through a referendum (73 percent voted "yes") in the District of Columbia Home Rule Act.[1] The first elections for Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners were held in the fall of 1975, and commissions began operating in 1976.[1] Congressman Don Fraser (D-Minn) and D.C. resident Milton Kotler helped to draft the ANC language in the Home Rule Act based on the success of Adams Morgan Organization (AMO) in Adams Morgan and on a 1970 report of the Minneapolis Citizen League, as well as on related neighborhood corporations in Pittsburgh; Brooklyn, New York; Chicago; and Columbus, Ohio.[2][1][3]
ANCs consider a wide range of policies and programs affecting their neighborhoods, including traffic, parking, recreation, street improvements, liquor licenses, zoning, economic development, police protection, sanitation and trash collection, and the district's annual budget. Commissioners serve two-year terms and receive no salary, but commissions do receive funds for the general purpose of improving their area and hiring staff.[4] This policy has come under scrutiny because of the misuse of funds by commissioners and their employees.[5] Candidates can accept campaign donations up to $25 per person.[6]
As of 2023, ANCs represent more than 100 neighborhoods.[7]
The powers of the ANC system are enumerated by the DC Code § 1–207.38:
May advise the District government on matters of public policy including decisions regarding planning, streets, recreation, social services programs, health, safety, and sanitation in that neighborhood commission area;
May employ staff and expend, for public purposes within its neighborhood commission area, public funds and other funds donated to it; and
Shall have such other powers and duties as may be provided by act of the council.
The ANCs present their positions and recommendations on issues to various District government agencies, the Executive Branch, and the council. They also present testimony to independent agencies, boards, and commissions, usually under the rules of procedure specific to those entities. By law, the ANCs may present their positions to Federal agencies. One of the most common cases of ANC involvement is in the giving of liquor licenses, where the approval or disapproval of the commission, despite having no legal power, represents a veto to the district government.[8]
Membership and qualifications
Each ANC Commissioner is nominated and elected by the registered voters who reside in the same Single Member District as the candidate. The ANC Commissioner is an official representing her or his neighborhood community (Single Member District) on the Advisory Neighborhood Commission.
In order to hold the office of Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner, an individual must be a registered voter (or must be able to register to vote within two years) in the District, as defined by DC Code Section 1-1001.02; have resided continuously in the Single Member District from which they are nominated for the 60-day period immediately preceding the day on which the nominating petition is filed; and hold no other public office. In order to enter the public ballot, they must receive 25 signatures from registered voters in their district.[9]
Single Member Districts
The District of Columbia is divided into 8 wards, each of which is further divided into local ANCs.
The District of Columbia is divided into eight wards, each of which elects a representative to the Council of the District of Columbia.[10]
Each ward is further subdivided into smaller areas known as Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs). Within each ANC, there are even smaller areas called Single Member Districts (SMDs), each typically representing about 2,000 residents. Although the SMDs should have equal populations, ANCs may vary widely in size. The largest ANCs have 10 SMDs while the smallest just have two.[11]
Following population growth indicated by the 2020 census, the District now has 46 ANCs, consisting of 345 SMDs.[11]
Each ANC is named by its ward number followed by a letter, assigned alphabetically starting with 'A'. For example, ANC 3B refers to the second ANC in Ward 3.
Each SMD is named by its ANC number followed by a two-digit number starting with '01'. For example, SMD 3B05 is the fifth single member district within ANC 3B.[12]
Due to population growth and redistricting, these boundaries often change, causing shifts in power and election turnout.[12]
In recent years, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners have increasingly used "sign-on" letters to address issues beyond their Single Member Districts (SMDs) or commission areas. This practice has expanded the scope of ANC involvement beyond the traditional "great weight" matters within their immediate jurisdictions. [13]
Commissioners are using sign-on letters ethically when they draft and sign them in a manner that complies with the Code of Conduct.[13] These letters often address citywide concerns or policies that affect multiple neighborhoods, allowing commissioners to collaborate on broader issues affecting the District as a whole.
The Board of Ethics and Government Accountability (BEGA) has provided guidance on the circumstances under which commissioners can participate in sign-on letters, ensuring that this practice aligns with ethical standards and the intended role of ANCs.[14]
Informal caucuses
Over the past 5-8 years, informal caucuses have emerged among ANC commissioners, focusing on specific issues or representing particular communities. These caucuses allow commissioners from different ANCs to collaborate on shared interests and concerns. These caucuses and committees demonstrate a trend towards more coordinated efforts among commissioners on issues that transcend individual ANC boundaries. They provide a platform for sharing information, developing strategies, and advocating for policies at a broader level than traditional ANC activities. Notable examples include:
Vision Zero Caucus: Focused on traffic safety and the District's goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries. The caucus has over 100 ANC Commissioners from around D.C. who collaborate to achieve Vision Zero goals for the District.[15]
ANC Rainbow Caucus: This caucus represents LGBTQ+ commissioners and advocates for policies affecting the LGBTQ+ community in the District.[16]
Vacant Buildings Caucus: This group works with the Department of Buildings (DOB) on issues related to abandoned properties, aiming to address the impact of vacant buildings on neighborhoods.
ANC Vision Zero Committee: While not a citywide caucus, this committee, established by ANC 4B, serves as an example of how individual ANCs are addressing broader city initiatives. The committee focuses on increasing community safety in accordance with Vision Zero goals within their commission area.[17]
The emergence of these informal groups reflects a growing recognition of the interconnected nature of urban issues and the potential for ANCs to play a role in shaping citywide policies. However, it's important to note that these caucuses operate outside the formal ANC structure and their influence on policy decisions may vary.
Controversy and Training Initiatives
Recently, there has been some controversy surrounding attempts by organizations like the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) and Greater Greater Washington (GGWash) to provide training for ANC commissioners.[18]
These training initiatives aim to provide commissioners with information and resources related to urban planning, transportation, and community development. However, the controversy indicates that there may be concerns about the potential influence of these organizations on ANC decision-making processes or the appropriateness of such training programs.
The situation highlights the complex relationships between ANCs, advocacy groups, and community organizations in shaping local policies and decisions in Washington, D.C. It also underscores the importance of maintaining transparency and independence in the ANC system while ensuring that commissioners have access to relevant information and expertise.
1 2 3 Garrison, David F. (2011). "District of Columbia's Elected Advisory Neighborhood Commissions: An Unlikely Experiment in Governance at the Grassroots". State & Local Government Review. 43 (2): 159–166. doi:10.1177/0160323X11416074. JSTOR41303187. S2CID155798683.
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