2511.1 District law calls for the Comprehensive Plan to be amended not less frequently than once every four years. That target has not consistently been achieved. In addition, when the amendment process did occur, it has taken years—even for small, incremental amendments.

2511.2 The amendment process should be used to evaluate, and as appropriate incorporate, amendments to the plan text and maps proposed by the public. Other District agencies may also submit proposed amendments, which could reflect emerging issues, outdated actions, or map changes. This should include amendments based on new Small Area Plans and other planning studies, and to incorporate information and policies from initiatives by District agencies and other regional entities (for example, a new District-wide transportation plan). If a significant number of amendments are submitted or multiple, major policy updates are proposed, it may be appropriate to pivot to a plan rewrite.

2511.3 A typical amendment process includes the following steps. OP provides broad public outreach and public comment opportunities, including to other District agencies, to solicit amendments. Each party submitting an amendment should provide information explaining the proposed change and its purpose. OP screens amendments to ensure they are appropriate for the Comprehensive Plan (e.g. not a budget or legislative request.) OP also prepares its own proposed amendments. OP then prepares a report identifying amendments it recommends for inclusion. OP distributes this report for ANC and public review and comment for a minimum of 60 days, after which OP revises the report.

2511.4 The Mayor prepares a final draft of the amendments and submits this to the Council of the District of Columbia as a bill. The Council conducts hearings, marks up the bill, and takes action. These amendments are forwarded to NCPC for a 60-day federal interest review, which could result in additional revisions. The Mayor takes action to approve or veto the legislation. The District-approved amendments are forwarded to Congress for a 30-day review.

2511.5 A major revision and a full rewrite should be treated as similar undertakings that require earlier, extensive, and iterative public participation; evaluation of overarching goals and principles; and comprehensive data collection and analysis. This results in an extensively redrafted document. A public participation strategy should be identified at the start of the process. Formal public comment periods should be used to solicit early input, review, and comment on the draft document prepared by OP. Once OP prepares a revised document, the Mayor submits the major revision or rewrite to the Council as a bill. A similar process as described above occurs.

2511.6 The public participation process for a major revision, full rewrite or an amendment should use a broad array of tools and practices and provide meaningful engagement and opportunities for participation for ANCs and the public.

2511.7 Planning and implementation are iterative processes. Amending the Comprehensive Plan is necessary to have a plan that reflects changing conditions, policies, and priorities. The basic Comprehensive Plan amendment process, including public submittal and review of proposed amendments, and the Mayor's preparation and Council's approval of an amendment, is governed by District law. This process should be concise, transparent, and grounded in the analysis of the need for, or impact of, amendments. Given the scope and complexity of the Comprehensive Plan amendment process, it may be beneficial to consider whether changes to the process would help the District best achieve its planning goals.

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)).