[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 109 (Thursday, June 27, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E859]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCTION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENT 
                             HOME RULE ACT

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 27, 2019

  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, today, I introduce the District of 
Columbia Board of Zoning Adjustment Home Rule Act. This bill would give 
the District of Columbia the authority to appoint all members of the 
D.C. Board of Zoning Adjustment (Board), except when the Board is 
performing functions regarding an application by a foreign mission with 
respect to a chancery. The Board issues special exceptions, or 
variances, to the regulations issued by the D.C. Zoning Commission 
(Commission). This bill does not alter the authority of the Board.
  Like every other jurisdiction in the United States, the District 
should be free to set its own local land-use policies. As the District 
continues to contend with rapid population growth and economic 
development, it is more important than ever that the members of the 
Board are accountable to District residents and local elected 
officials.
  Under current law, in general, the Board consists of a representative 
each from the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) and the 
Commission, each of whom may be a federal official, and three mayoral 
appointees, subject to D.C. Council approval. The Board has no 
authority over federal property.
  Under current law, when the Board is performing functions regarding 
an application by a foreign mission with respect to the location, 
expansion or replacement of a chancery, the Board consists of the 
Executive Director of NCPC; the Director of the National Park Service, 
the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Interior or the 
Administrator of General Services, as designated by the President; and 
the three mayoral appointees. This bill does not change this 
composition.
  This is an important step to recognize and increase home rule for the 
District, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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