Section 10-A102. LEGISLATIVE FOUNDATION

 

102.1The DC Code vests the Mayor with the authority to initiate, develop and submit a Comprehensive Plan to the DC Council, as well as the power to propose amendments following the plan’s adoption. In the course of adoption, the DC Council may alter the Comprehensive Plan, subject to the approval of the Mayor and review by the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) and Congress. 102.1

 

102.2Because of the District’s role as the nation’s capital, the Comprehensive Plan includes two components: the Federal Elements, which address federal lands and facilities, and the District Elements, which address all other lands. Together, these elements constitute the District’s mandated planning documents. 102.2

 

102.3From 1985 to 2005, a Comprehensive Plan drafted in the early 1980s governed land use decisions in the District. By the early 2000s, it was becoming clear that the Comp Plan was out of date. The “future”-as envisioned by the Plan-was already history. 102.3

 

102.4In 2003, a Citizens’ Task Force, appointed by the Mayor and DC Council, completed an assessment of the existing Plan. As a result of the assessment, the Office of Planning recommended that the Comprehensive Plan be thoroughly revised, not just amended. The Task Force concluded that the plan was outdated, difficult to read and understand, lacked maps and graphics, and did not provide the direction needed to address the tough issues facing our city today. 102.4

 

102.5Based on this assessment, the Mayor and Council agreed to move ahead with a major revision of the Comprehensive Plan, rather than starting another round of piecemeal amendments. It was time for an in-depth analysis of existing conditions and trends, and a fresh look at the city’s future. It was also time to reach out to thousands of DC residents to raise awareness of why the Comprehensive Plan is important to the city’s future and to the daily life of residents and businesses. The 2006 Comprehensive Plan is the response to that call. 102.5

 

102.6Section 1-301.62 of the DC Code states that: (t)he purposes of the District Elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital are to:

 

a.Define the requirements and aspirations of District residents, and accordingly influence social, economic and physical development;

 

b.Guide executive and legislative decisions on matters affecting the District and its citizens;

 

c. Promote economic growth and jobs for District residents;

 

d.Guide private and public development in order to achieve District and community goals;

 

e.Maintain and enhance the natural a and architectural assets of the District; and

 

f.Assist in the conservation, stabilization, and improvement of each neighborhood and community in the District. 102.6

 

102.7The DC Code broadly defines the plan’s scope. Section 1- 204.23 states that the Comprehensive Plan “may include land use elements, urban renewal and redevelopment elements, a multi-year program of municipal public works for the District, and physical, social, economic, transportation, and population elements.” 102.7

 

102.8The Code also specifies that the land use element include “a generalized land use map or a series of maps representing the land use policies set forth in the Land Use Element.” 102.8

 

notation

The provisions of Title 10, Part A of the DCMR accessible through this web interface are codification of the District Elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital. As such, they do not represent the organic provisions adopted by the Council of the District of Columbia. The official version of the District Elements only appears as a hard copy volume of Title 10, Part A published pursuant to section 9a of the District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1994, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; D.C. Official Code § 1 -301.66)) . In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions accessible through this site and the provisions contained in the published version of Title 10, Part A, the provisions contained in the published version govern. A copy of the published District Elements is available www.planning.dc.gov.