Press Release: Chairman Mendelson Moves Comprehensive Plan

News Release — DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Monday April 19, 2021

CONTACT: Lindsey Walton

WASHINGTON, DC — Chairman Phil Mendelson released the following statement ahead of the proposed markup of Bill 24-1, the “Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 2020.”

                “Today I have circulated a revised Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act for consideration by the Council tomorrow.  My proposal puts special focus on increasing housing and racial equity.  Indeed, the revised plan will substantially increase opportunities for new housing in all eight wards of the city.  It requires the Zoning Commission and other agencies to develop a racial equity lens for evaluating all actions including zoning cases.

                “The Committee Print also strikes a careful balance between ensuring clarity in the Plan’s language while enabling development projects to proceed.  Unfortunately, some view this from the perspective of litigation – and, therefore, whether to facilitate or hinder lawsuits over development.  I see it instead as about clarity in the Plan’s language and intent.

                “This is also the first bill to come before the Council for a vote accompanied by a racial equity impact analysis (REIA).  The REIA, also circulated today, finds that “The Committee Print … makes impactful and significant changes to the Comprehensive Plan … perhaps the most impactful of which are to process…”   For the first time the Comprehensive Plan will require that planning and the Zoning Commission’s actions be conducted using a racial equity lens.  Nevertheless, the Council’s Office of Racial Equity “…anticipates that the Committee Print is not enough to disrupt the status quo of deep racial inequities in the District of Columbia.”

                “Everyone should realize that while lengthy, this bill is nothing more than a plan.  It guides.  It directs.  But it does not actually implement.  So of course, much more must be done to disrupt the status quo of racial inequity.  But the emphasis on housing production, and affordable housing, and the new priority of using a racial equity lens – that will make a difference.”

                The schedule for consideration of Bill 24-1 deliberately allows for more time for public input than is the normal course for legislation.  A staff draft was circulated last week, five days ahead of tomorrow’s markup, instead of the usual 24 hours.  A first reading of the Bill will be May 4, instead of tomorrow, the same day as markup.

– 30 –