What's Hot: Lidl Grocery to Open at 700-Unit Tenleytown Development | Above Asking: A $500,000 Premium in Chevy Chase
A Minor Change to Height Act Moves Forward

Progress was made on relaxing DC’s century-old Height Act on Wednesday, but it was likely not the type of progress that staunch supporters of taller buildings were hoping for.
The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, chaired by Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., voted unanimously in favor of a bill that would allow “human occupancy” for the penthouse areas of certain buildings around the city. The National Capitol Planning Commission voted in November to recommend to Congress that the Act be amended to allow for human occupancy in penthouses that are currently limited to the housing of mechanical equipment.
Readers may recall that this topic is what started the whole process of relaxing the city’s Height Act. In 2012, at a Congressional hearing that was held to discuss the possibility of relaxing or eliminating the Height Act, Office of Planning Director Harriet Tregoning testified that the rules regarding rooftop use should be examined and possibly altered.
“While allowed, these roof structures have been limited in their use to mechanical purposes (elevator overrides, building mechanicals) and are currently prohibited from uses that qualify as ‘human occupancy’ such as recreation rooms or office space,” stated Tregoning at the time. “Allowing their use for more active purposes will have no real impact on the overall maximum heights of buildings as permitted by the 1910 Height Act and will not impact the District’s recognizable and historic skyline.”
The plan is that these spaces can now be used for a variety of purposes, such as building amenities. Rep. Issa did not hold back when expressing his support for broader revisions.
“I want to make it clear today that I would like to have gone further,” Issa said.
See other articles related to: height act, darrell issa
This article originally published at http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/a_minor_change_to_height_act_moves_forward/8227
Most Popular... This Week • Last 30 Days • Ever

DC's homebuyer assistance programs can be a bit complex. This edition of First-Timer ... read »

A look around DC to see where home sellers are dropping their prices.... read »

The grocer has announced plans for other stores in Skyland and Columbia Heights.... read »

The new five-level residential project is planned for the buildings at 1365-1375 H St... read »

There are two main things happening in the housing market for this upper NW DC neighb... read »
- First-Timer Primer: DC's Home Buyer Assistance Programs
- Where Are Home Sellers Dropping Their Prices in DC?
- Lidl to Open Its Third DC Location at New 700-Unit Tenleytown Development
- A 50-Unit Development is Pitched For Recognizable Buildings Along H Street
- The Fastest Moving Prices in DC: The Palisades Market, By the Numbers
DC Real Estate Guides
Short guides to navigating the DC-area real estate market
We've collected all our helpful guides for buying, selling and renting in and around Washington, DC in one place. Visit guides.urbanturf.com or start browsing below!
First-Timer Primers
Intro guides for first-time home buyers
Unique Spaces
Awesome and unusual real estate from across the DC Metro