# What This Bill Does

Right now, Washington D.C.'s Zoning Commission—the group that decides what can be built where in the city—has members appointed by both the D.C. government and the federal government. Specifically, two federal officials (the Architect of the Capitol and the Director of the National Park Service) sit on this commission alongside people appointed by D.C.'s Mayor. This bill would remove those two federal appointees, letting D.C. appoint all the members of its own Zoning Commission.

The practical effect is that D.C. would gain more control over its own land-use decisions. Right now, when someone wants to build a new apartment building, office space, or anything else in the city, the Zoning Commission has to consider the opinions of federal officials who aren't elected by D.C. residents. This bill would give D.C. residents—through their elected Mayor and city government—complete say over these decisions without federal interference. It's essentially about local control: letting the people who actually live in D.C. make decisions about their own city's development rather than having federal officials have a voice in those choices.

There's one exception built into the bill for national security reasons. When foreign embassies want to build or expand their buildings in D.C., federal officials like the Secretary of Defense or Director of the National Park Service would still get a seat at the table to protect national security interests. But for regular development decisions that affect D.C. residents and neighborhoods, the city would have full authority to decide what gets built and where.

District of Columbia Zoning Commission Home Rule Act

Norton, Eleanor Holmes

District of Columbia Zoning Commission Home Rule ActThis bill modifies the composition of the District of Columbia Zoning Commission to require the commission to consist of only three mayoral appointees. Currently, the commission consists of five individuals: three mayoral appointees, the Architect of the Capitol, and the Director of the National Park Service. The bill removes the Architect of the Capitol and the Director of the National Park Service from the commission.