[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 136 (Tuesday, August 15, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E779]
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

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 15, 2023

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. 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 the 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 would not alter the authority of the Board.
  Under current law, in general, the Board consists of a representative 
each from the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), which is a 
federal agency, 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 
(or, if the President so designates, the Secretary of Defense, the 
Secretary of the Interior or the Administrator of General Services) and 
the three mayoral appointees. This bill would not change this 
composition.
  D.C., like every other jurisdiction in the United States, should be 
free to set its own local land-use policies. This bill is an important 
step to increase home rule for D.C. I urge my colleagues to support it.