Where is ANC3C?

ANC3C includes the Northwest DC neighborhoods of Cathedral Heights, Cleveland Park, Massachusetts Heights, McLean Gardens and Woodley Park. A map of the entire ANC can be found here (.pdf). If you’re trying to determine your ANC or Single Member District (SMD) within the ANC, input your address into the DC Citizen Atlas.

What Does an ANC Do?

Referred to as “… a unique experiment in neighborhood democracy” by the League of Women Voters, Advisory Neighborhood Commissions were first established by the Home Rule Charter of 1973 and later approved by voter referendum on May 7, 1974. The first Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) elections were held in February 1976.

ANCs function as citizen advisory boards, representing the citizens of a particular neighborhood. As such, the periodic meetings of the ANC serve the same function in an urban context as a town meeting does in a rural one.

The specific role of the advisory neighborhood commissions, as defined by the D.C. Election code, includes advising 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.” (D.C. Code, Section 1-251(c)(1)).”

The law also states that recommendations made by the ANC…

“…shall be given great weight (D.C. Code, Section 1-261(d)) … as they deliberate on matters that affect the residents of the ANC area.”

Under the law, each ANC Single Member District (SMD) has approximately 2,000 residents. Commissioners serve two-year terms and receive no salary. Contact information for the current ANC3C Commissioners can be found here.