CHAIRMAN PHIL MENDELSON ANNOUNCES A PUBLIC OVERSIGHT HEARING

The District of Columbia’s Recommendations on the Federal Height of Buildings Act of 1910

Council Chairman Phil Mendelson announces a public oversight hearing of the Committee of the Whole on the District of Columbia’s Recommendations on the Federal Height of Buildings Act of 1910.  The public oversight hearing will be held Monday, October 28, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. in Hearing Room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.

The purpose of the oversight hearing is to receive testimony on the District of Columbia’s recommendations to Congress on potential modifications to the federal Height of Buildings Act of 1910 (Height Act).  Since the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform requested a joint study in October 2012, the District of Columbia has been jointly conducting a Height Master Plan with the National Capital Planning Commission in order to assess how the Height Act continues to serve federal and local interests.  In its preliminary findings and recommendations, the National Capital Planning Commission did not recommend substantial changes to the Height Act; its recommendations included allowing for human occupancy of penthouses.  The District of Columbia, however, in separate draft recommendations, proposed increasing the height limits within the L’Enfant City and that Congress should allow the District to determine the maximum height of buildings outside the L’Enfant City.  The Committee invites residents to share their views on the recommendations.

Those who wish to testify are asked to telephone the Committee of the Whole, at (202) 724-8196, or e-mail Jessica Jacobs, Legislative Counsel, at jjacobs@dccouncil.us and provide their name, address, telephone number, and organizational affiliation, if any, by the close of business Thursday, October 24, 2013.  Persons wishing to testify are encouraged, but not required, to submit 15 copies of written testimony.  If submitted by the close of business on October 24, 2013, the testimony will be distributed to Councilmembers before the hearing.  Witnesses should limit their testimony to four minutes; less time will be allowed if there are a large number of witnesses.

If you are unable to testify at the hearing, written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record.  Copies of written statements should be submitted to the Committee of the Whole, Council of the District of Columbia, Suite 410 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20004.  The record will close at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 12, 2013.