Height of Buildings Act

Nancy MacWood

This is a summary of C100 work primarily in 2012-13 when the 1910 Height of Buildings Act was challenged at both the federal and local level.  This summary is in addition to documents below detailing more specific activity, given that this matter will come up again and a review of effective action in 2012-13 may be helpful. 

Laura Richards

Alma H. Gates, Chair of the Committee of 100’s Zoning Subcommittee, protested the scope of the new rules and the speed with which they are being rushed through. “These rules were proposed at a time when Advisory Neighborhood Commissions and civic associations were overwhelmed with the zoning rewrite,” Gates said. “This is a complex set of rules that can change the face and character of our city. They need a broader discussion than they have been given.” Gates urged residents to file testimony immediately opposing the changes and to ask the Zoning Commission to hold the record open and conduct public roundtables. The record closed on November 24, 2014.

Laura Richards

Alma H. Gates, Chair of the Committee of 100’s Zoning Subcommittee, protested the scope of the new rules and the speed with which they are being rushed through. “These rules were proposed at a time when Advisory Neighborhood Commissions and civic associations were overwhelmed with the zoning rewrite,” Gates said. “This is a complex set of rules that can change the face and character of our city. They need a broader discussion than they have been given.” Gates urged residents to file testimony immediately opposing the changes and to ask the Zoning Commission to hold the record open and conduct public roundtables. The record closed on November 24, 2014.

Richard Houghton

The SW Ecodistrict Plan seeks to address many problem issues, while also setting a high environmental standard. We commend NCPC for undertaking this project and for undertaking the additional studies that are summarized in The SW Ecodistrict Plan Addendum, particularly the study of building heights within the study area. The Committee raises a number of issues and questions with respect to transportation planning and building heights.

Nancy MacWood

The Committee of 100 has historically supported the Height Act, which has provided a height framework for implementing the L’Enfant and McMillan Plans and has contributed significantly to creating our grand capital city. Until today the title of this hearing would be readily understood since “Height Master Plan for Washington, DC” does not suggest that there only some parts of Washington that need height protections. But the EDR before you would irrevocably divide the city into protected and unprotected, and would result in visual documentation of the action you may approve today.

Nancy MacWood

The Committee of 100 on the Federal City strongly urges Mayor Gray to convey to the National Capital Planning Commission and Representative Issa his conclusion that the Height of Buildings Act provisions are working to the District’s benefit and that the study produced no new opportunities to improve the Act.

Laura Richards

C100 Trustee Laura Richards’ testimony on behalf of the C100 before the House Committee On Oversight And Government Reform Subcomittee On Health Care, District Of Columbia, Census And The National Archives. In summary, Ms. Richards testified that, “In short, lifting the height limit will alter irretrievably the District’s historic, welcoming scale without producing upside benefits. The Committee of 100 therefore believes that the Height Act should remain undisturbed and should be enforced vigorously.”

Laura Richards

Committee of 100 Height Act Centennial Celebration

Nancy MacWood

Member, Zoning Regulation Rewrite Task Force