Panel to Reconsider Height Restrictions for Proposed Trump Arch
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The National Capital Planning Commission will review a new interpretation of the 1910 Height of Buildings Act that could allow a 250-foot arch proposed by President Trump, despite legal challenges.
The National Capital Planning Commission is set to examine a revised reading of the 1910 Height of Buildings Act that would exclude federal projects from its height limits. The change could permit President Donald Trump’s proposed 250-foot Triumphal Arch, which would otherwise exceed the law’s traditional ceiling for structures in Washington, D.C.
In a memorandum submitted to the commission, the Interior Department argued that the act “does not reference federal buildings” and that “Congress did not intend” the restriction to apply to federal projects, a stance that differs from the commission’s long-standing interpretation.
If the panel adopts the new view, the arch would move forward to preliminary site and building plan approval, with final approval to follow later. The project faces a lawsuit filed by Vietnam War veterans who contend that the arch lacks congressional authorization and could disrupt protected sightlines between the Lincoln Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and the historic home of Robert E. Lee.
Legal experts say a shift in the commission’s stance could trigger further litigation, adding to existing court challenges to the administration’s construction initiatives.