Norton Statement on Height Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released the following statement on discussions regarding the Height Act.

"Since this week's reports quoting Oversight and Government Reform chairman Darrell Issa (R-CA) on the Height Act, I have received a number of inquiries concerning my views. My support for the Height Act remains as strong as ever. The discipline embedded in the Height Act accounts for the distinctive look that sets the District of Columbia apart from any other city in the world. Both the livable scale of our city and the vistas that feature its unique historic monuments and sites depend upon maintaining the Height Act discipline that flows naturally from L'Enfant's original vision and the McMillan Plan. The common understanding that our identity as a city depends on the Height Act is so strong that no one has approached my office about changes in the heights of buildings permitted here.

However, Chairman Issa has raised with Mayor Gray and me the question of adjustments outside of the monumental core of the city. To his credit, Rep. Issa has not proposed that his committee proceed but has recognized the profound home rule implications of such a change. No idea is beyond examination but the implications range from technical to profound. As the Mayor, City Council, city planners, economic and other experts, and particularly residents consider this issue, I have confidence that they will understand best the delicacy of this matter of historic importance."

Published: April 20, 2012