DC Zoning Commission Gets a Federal Makeover: Two Key Members Removed, Presidential Power Added for Embassy Cases

The aptly named District of Columbia Zoning Commission Home Rule Act is less about home rule and more about changing who gets a seat at the table when it comes to deciding what gets built in the nation’s capital. Specifically, this bill revises the composition of the D.C. Zoning Commission, removing some long-standing federal positions and introducing a new, high-level federal appointment process for sensitive foreign embassy applications (SEC. 2).

Clearing Out the Old Guard

Imagine a board meeting where two of the people present are there because of a law written over a century ago. This bill cleans that up. It officially removes two federal positions that currently hold automatic seats on the D.C. Zoning Commission: the Architect of the Capitol and the Director of the National Park Service (SEC. 2). These positions are known as ex officio members—meaning they serve by virtue of their office. By kicking them off, the bill modernizes the commission's structure. For D.C. residents, this means less input from federal agencies primarily concerned with federal lands and monuments, potentially allowing the local D.C. perspective to carry more weight in general zoning decisions. It also removes outdated references to the Mayor appointing members, streamlining the language to reflect current operations.

The National Security Zone: Zoning for Embassies

Here’s where things get interesting—and a little complicated. When a foreign country wants to build, expand, or move its embassy (known as a chancery) in D.C., the Board of Zoning Adjustment has to review the application. This bill fundamentally changes who sits on that board for these specific cases. Instead of the usual members, the President gets to temporarily appoint a representative from a short list of high-ranking officials—like the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Interior, or the Administrator of General Services—to sit on the Board for that case only (SEC. 2). This presidential appointee replaces one of the regular Zoning Commission members.

This shift suggests that foreign policy and national security concerns are being prioritized in sensitive embassy zoning decisions. While this might streamline approvals for the State Department, it could also mean that local zoning concerns—like traffic, noise, or neighborhood character—might take a back seat to international relations. For example, a decision about a large embassy complex might suddenly involve a high-level official focused on geopolitics rather than local land use, which is a major change in how these decisions are typically made.

Upping the Ante for Federal Planning

In addition to the Presidential appointment, the bill also mandates a change for the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) representative during these foreign mission reviews. Currently, any representative from the NCPC could sit on the board. Under this new rule, it must be the Executive Director of the NCPC who sits on the Board for these specific cases (SEC. 2). This ensures that the most senior, highest-level planning professional from the federal planning agency is involved in decisions that directly affect the federal interest and the city's comprehensive plan. While this guarantees high-level expertise, it also potentially centralizes more power within the federal executive branch when it comes to deciding where foreign missions can operate in the city.