Norton Introduces Bill to Remove Authority of Federal National Capital Planning Commission to Review D.C.-Owned Property

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced her bill to remove the authority of the federal National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) to review or approve the development of D.C.-owned real property.

"As we continue to fight for statehood, we cannot sit on ways Congress could act now to increase home rule for D.C.,” Norton said. "That is why I am simultaneously moving to expand home rule, including for the most local of activities such as land-use policies. The federal government has no business in local land-use policies and decisions. Not only is the federal government's authority over D.C property anti-democratic, it delays and increases the cost of development in the District."

Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton

on the Introduction of the National Capital Planning Commission

District of Columbia Home Rule Act

August 1, 2023

Today, I introduce the National Capital Planning Commission District of Columbia Home Rule Act.  This bill would remove the authority of the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), a federal agency, to review or approve the development of District of Columbia-owned real property.  This bill would also remove the requirement that the D.C. Mayor get NCPC’s approval before selling D.C.-owned real property and allow D.C. agencies to transfer jurisdiction over D.C.-owned real property among themselves without NCPC’s approval. 

Under federal law, NCPC has approval authority for the development of D.C.-owned buildings located in the “central area,” including the location, height, bulk, number of stories and size of such buildings.  D.C. is required to consult with NCPC on D.C.-owned buildings outside the central area, but NCPC has only advisory authority in those areas.  The central area is defined by the concurrent action of NCPC and the D.C. Council and currently consists of the Downtown and Shaw Urban Renewal Areas. 

NCPC’s authority over D.C.-owned real property is unnecessary, as demonstrated by the virtual absence of its use to disapprove sales or development, and violates D.C. home rule.  The federal government should not be able to slow or block the development of D.C.-owned real property or add to the cost of development. 

This bill is an important step to increase home rule for D.C. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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