The century-old rule has shaped the District’s iconic horizontal skyline, but some Council members say it need revision in light of the region’s growing housing crisis.

The height limit that has long dominated the development of Washington, D.C.’s skyline is coming into question as District leaders seek to bring more housing units and residents to the central core as part of Mayor Bowser’s Comeback Plan. “A key goal of this plan is to ‘add 15,000 residents to the Downtown population by adding seven million square feet of residential units,’” writes Luke Garrett for WTOP.
The Height of Buildings Act, passed in 1910, limits building heights to 90 feet on residential streets and 130 feet on commercial corridors. Now, some District Council members are calling for changes to the century-old act as part of efforts to revitalize the city and adapt to changing housing and office space needs. “The District needs to address its affordable housing crisis through more density, so the Height Act should be on the table for negotiation as a way to increase density and housing units,” said Council member Zachary Parker.
Opponents of changing the Height Act say the District’s flat skyline is a “unique and defining characteristic.” Others call proposed changes to the Height Act a red herring, with Council member Brianne Nadeau saying that “We could double the amount of housing in the city right now if we updated the zoning code, even with the Height Act in place.”
FULL STORY: Why DC’s Height Act may fall this time

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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