Friday, November 10, 2006

Shoemaker House part one

This will probably be the first of several posts on the subject, as the story advances from its current state through resolution.

The Shoemaker Hone is a legacy elder care facility located on Military Road, next to St. John's, While this is a Ward 4 issue, there is discussion about the resolution of the disposal of the property and its impact on Military Road, Chevy Chase, DC and the decisions by ANC3/4G.

The organization decided to cease operations and sell the property. The apparent successful bidder is The Fund for American Studies (TFAS), an exchange program which brings undergraduates and graduate students to Washington for a semester. There may also be summer programs. Much of the exchange is with Georgetown University. Because of the current zoning, the matter will have to come before the DC Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) in order to receive a "special exception" to legally operate as a residential college facility in a single family neighborhood.

There has been much discussion about this on the Chevy Chase Listserv with most of the nearby neighbors fearful of having a "college dorm" in their midst. One of the primary issues is the lack of direct transportation to GU for the students.

ANC 3/4 G Chair Robert Gordon, and Vice Chair Jerry Levine have tacitly expressed support for the Fund during the October 23rd meeting, drawing ire from residents who packed the Chevy Chase Center for the monthly Commission meeting.

The ANC will take this up again on November 13th.

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