D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10-A, § 1512
1512.1 The proximity of Capitol Hill's residential areas to the U.S. Capitol Complex creates a variety of land use, transportation, and urban design issues. Expansion of the Capitol Complex during the 1900s resulted in the development of large office buildings and expanded federal facilities on former row house blocks. This prompted some of the Hill's earliest historic preservation initiatives, along with the adoption of a Capitol Interest Overlay Zone that established maximum height and floor area ratio limits in an area extending from the edge of the Capitol Complex east to 6th Street. Through the 2016 Zoning Regulations update, this area is now the Capitol Interest Zones and includes the following new zones: RA-7, RF-3, MU-23, MU-24, MU-26, and PDR-5. The intent is still the same as the original overlay. Long-range plans for the Capitol Complex are articulated in a Master Plan that is prepared and periodically updated by the Architect of the Capitol (AOC). The AOC also maintains an officially adopted historic preservation policy that guides the management of AOC heritage assets listed with the policy.
1512.2 The following policies define the District's position on land use activities in and around the U.S. Capitol area. These policies seek to mitigate the effects of increased security requirements on neighborhood character, limit adverse impacts associated with the Capitol Power Plant, address parking and traffic impacts related to the Capitol Complex, improve urban design conditions, enhance resilience, and guide future land use decisions to be consistent with the AOC's Master Plan and historic preservation policy.
1512.3 Policy CH-2.3.1: Capitol Master Plan Conformity Future development and/or expansion of the United States Capitol grounds should conform with the guidelines set out in the Master Plan of the U.S. Capitol. Any land transferred from the AOC to the District or a private party should likewise be used in a manner that is consistent with the Capitol Master Plan and the Comprehensive Plan.
1512.4 Policy CH-2.3.2: Capitol Area Traffic and Parking Work with the AOC to reduce parking and traffic impacts in areas adjacent to the U.S. Capitol and to address related problems such as motor coach parking and the enforcement of residential permit parking restrictions.
1512.5 Policy CH-2.3.3: Surface Transportation Improvements Improve surface transportation in and around the Capitol Complex in a manner that reduces impacts on Capitol Hill neighborhoods and facilitates access within the area. This could include the use of shuttles between key destinations, such as Union Station, the new Capitol Visitors Center, and the Capitol South Metro
station.
Encourage the AOC to coordinate all proposed street closings, reroutings, and security measures with District government.
Work with the AOC to encourage the development of future federal buildings to be compatible with and preserves the moderate density residential character of adjacent residential areas. This includes the development of ancillary federal facilities such as child-care centers, housing and classroom space for Congressional interns, police facilities, Congressionally sponsored service institutions, improvements to public space infrastructure, and public works maintenance and storage areas used by the AOC.
Encourage the Capitol Power Plant and Refrigeration Plant to operate in ways that reduce air pollution, noise, and other impacts. Update plans for the power plant as needed to reflect revised Capitol needs and community concerns.
Implement streetscape and signage improvements that more clearly define the boundary of the U.S. Capitol Grounds and distinguish it from adjacent residential and commercial areas.
SOURCE: District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; 31 DCR 1049 (March 9, 1984)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Element Amendment Act of 1984, effective March 16, 1985 (D.C. Law 5-187; 32 DCR 873 (February 15, 1985)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-129; 37 DCR 55 (January 5, 1990)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989 NCPC-Recommended Amendments, and Closing of Public Alleys in Square 669, S.O. 88-452, Act of 1990, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-132; 37 DCR 2213 (April 6, 1990)); as amended by District Government Land Use Temporary Amendment Act of 1994, effective October 1, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-190; 41 DCR 5360 (August 12, 1994)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1994, effective October 6, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-193; 41 DCR 5536 (August 19, 1994)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Amendment Act of 1994, effective March 21, 1995 (D.C. Law 10-235; 42 DCR 30 (January 6, 1995)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1996, effective April 18, 1996 (D.C. Law 11-110; 43 DCR 530 (February 9, 1996)); as amended by Second Technical Amendments Act of 1996, effective April 9, 1997 (D.C. Law 11-255; 44 DCR 1271 (March 7, 1997)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 1998, effective April 27, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-275; 46 DCR 1441 (February 19, 1999)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1999, effective April 12, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-91; 47 DCR 520 (January 28, 2000)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-300; 54 DCR 924 (February 2, 2007)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 2008, effective March 25, 2009 (D.C. Law 17-353; 56 DCR 1117 (February 6, 2009)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2010, effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18-361; 58 DCR 908 (February 4, 2011)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2021, effective August 21, 2021 (D.C. Law 24-20; 68 DCR 006918 (July 16, 2021)).