Maret, a private school from another part of the city, plans to destroy 60 trees on leased land at the Episcopal Center for Children (ECC), at Utah & Nebraska Aves. in Northwest DC, in January. They would do this to clear the site for a proposed youth multi-sports complex.

Please sign our petition to SAVE THE TREES!

The Petition

"We the undersigned, ask Maret to postpone tree work at ECC until the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) has issued its written approval, and an appeal has been resolved."

Why We’re Doing This

• Maret intends to act before receiving the BZA's official order approving construction of a multi-sports complex in this residential zone
• Maret's irreversible tree work could come before other necessary construction permits have been obtained.
• With the certain prospect of an appeal to the Court, there is no guarantee Maret's plan will be allowed to go forward.
• Taking down dozens of trees now is premature, and would leave the five-acre site devoid of mature tree canopy.

Background

Maret School plans to destroy 60 trees at the Episcopal Center for Children (ECC) to clear the site for a private sports complex.

Permission to build the proposed athletics facility in this residential district requires special zoning action. Maret does not yet have, nor does it know when it will have, final approval from the DC zoning board. Without the board's final order, Maret cannot obtain the necessary construction permits.

Once the BZA order is released, it will be appealed in court. Neighbors, as Friends of the Field, will file for a stay of construction. There are solid grounds for appeal. The scope and scale of Maret’s proposal are out of keeping with our residential zone; Maret should seek a use variance and not merely a special exception. DC’s Office of the Attorney General agreed and filed a letter with the BZA supporting our position.

Please sign the petition to urge Maret to postpone tree work at ECC until they have final written approval from BZA, and any appeal process has run its course.

And share this message with your neighbors, friends, and family.

Note: This online petition is hosted free of charge by “iPetitions”. They ask for a voluntary donation to support their service. Any such donations do not go to Friends of the Field.

Friends of the Field, an alliance of Chevy Chase neighbors, families, and concerned citizens, cares about safety, environmental stewardship, and quality neighborhood life. We work for transparent due process, inclusiveness, and thoughtful use of precious green space.

For more information about this issue, visit our website at friends-of-the-field.webflow.io