In a statement submitted today to the House Committee on Oversight & Government Reform regarding the federal Height of Buildings Act, DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson said:

“Citizens of the District do not support any change to the federal Height of Buildings Act of 1910. The clear and deeply felt support for preserving the Height of Buildings Act is due in part to the complete lack of specificity as to where heights would be raised or by how much. Residents across the city are afraid that if the Height Act is changed now, the city’s unique skyline and human scale will be lost irretrievably.

“…the District’s experience over the past decade demonstrates that factors other than the Height Act influence economic development and population growth. The city’s population has grown significantly, and development is far outpacing virtually all other U.S. cities. It is clear that the Height Act is not a factor in deterring development.

“…The features that make this a capital city are features we want to protect. That is why we ask that the Height of Buildings Act of 1910 be left alone. ”

The full text of Chairman Mendelson’s statement is available: Testimony on Height Act for House OGR.

 

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