Dec 17, 2020

Review Process Overview

One of NCPC’s primary functions is to review development projects and master plans in the National Capital Region (NCR) for consistency with the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital: Federal Elements. The 1952 National Capital Planning Act established this role and is the basis for our review process today. NCPC aims to improve projects through a collaborative process, encourage coordination among agencies, and provide opportunities for public input.

NCPC’s Review Authorities

The Commission has either approval or advisory authority for review of different types of projects in the NCR.

The Commission has approval authority for:
  • Projects on federal land in Washington, DC
  • Projects on District land within the Central Area
  • Projects on land in Maryland purchased with Capper-Cramton funds
  • Commemorative works in Washington, DC and its environs, on land administered by:
    • The National Park Service
    • The General Services Administration
  • Transfers of jurisdiction in Washington, DC between:
    • Federal agencies
    • A federal agency and a District agency
    • District agencies
The Commission has advisory authority for:
  • Master plans for federal land in the NCR
  • Projects on federal land in those portions of Maryland and Virginia within the NCR
  • Projects on District land in Washington, DC outside the Central Area
Note: The submission requirements are the same regardless of whether the Commission has approval or advisory authority.
More on NCPC's Review Authorities Central Area

The Review Process

Projects subject to NCPC review are submitted by applicants and analyzed by NCPC staff before Commission consideration. Staff will prepare a report and recommendation (the Executive Director's Recommendation, or EDR) for each project, for review and action by the Commission at their monthly meetings. The Commission delegates some decisions to the Chairman or Executive Director.

Typically, NCPC’s review has two to three review stages, as shown below. Each stage provides NCPC staff and the Commission with increasingly detailed information as the project develops, as well as any related environmental or historic preservation analyses progress. The Submission Guidelines page describe the information that needs to be submitted at each stage by project type.
About NCPC FAQs About the Review Process Submission Guidelines Commission Meeting 101

Staff reviews projects for their consistency
with the Comprehensive Plan.

Comprehensive Plan

Public Engagement and Agency Coordination

Public engagement and agency coordination are essential to the planning process and strengthen planning outcomes. NCPC encourages applicants to communicate their project to affected/interested members of the public, stakeholders, and other reviewing agencies at the earliest opportunity and throughout the process. Applicants may also have their own responsibilities for public engagement and consultation. NCPC engages with affected constituencies, agencies, and the general public in a variety of ways, depending on the project.
Any member of the public may sign up to speak about a project at the Commission meeting and/or provide written testimony about the project.
When the Commission has approval authority for a project on federal or District land, NCPC must comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) processes. This includes holding public meetings to solicit public input on the proposed project. The applicant should attend these meetings.
More on NCPC's Review Authorities
Many projects located in Washington, DC are referred to NCPC’s Coordinating Committee prior to Commission review. The Coordinating Committee consists of representatives from District and federal agencies. They review projects from the perspective of fostering the maximum amount of coordination and consultation among the various agencies of the federal and District governments, and ensuring Washington, DC is developed in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan. As such, the Committee’s recommendations to the Commission specifically address interagency coordination. The Coordinating Committee often identifies concurrent reviews or approvals for the project, such as public space or stormwater permits, or transfers of jurisdiction.

While the Coordinating Committee meeting is scheduled monthly to align with the Commission meeting schedule, the applicant does not attend the meeting. NCPC staff forwards any comments or requests received to the applicant. Once finished with a project review, the Coordinating Committee provides a statement that the project has, or has not been, coordinated with all agencies represented. NCPC staff includes this statement in the Executive Director’s Recommendation (EDR). Consultations with the Coordinating Committee occur at each review stage.
Federal agencies are required to prepare a master plan for federal campuses and military installations. Agencies periodically update master plans that are then reviewed by the Commission. The plans typically look at a 20-year horizon. NCPC staff work with the applicant agency to develop the master plan. After plans are submitted to the Commission for review, NCPC staff refers them for an intergovernmental review by affected local planning agencies and/or regional and state clearinghouses. Referrals occur during the Preliminary Review stage. For more information on referrals, please see Section 3.1.2 Master Plans in the Submission Guidelines.

Projects on a campus/installation that are not included in a master plan are also referred for intergovernmental review. If a particular project is already included in an approved Master Plan for a campus/installation, it does not need to be referred for intergovernmental review.

Other Reviewing Agencies

Planning and development in the region involves other federal, state, regional, and local agencies that review projects based on different authorities and the type and location of the project. Other agencies may include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Federal Highway Administration, the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, and planning, transportation, and environmental agencies for state and local jurisdictions. Depending on the scope and location of the project, it may need review by more than one agency.
U.S. Commission of Fine Arts National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission

The National Capital Planning Commission is the federal government's planning agency for the National Capital Region.

The 12-member Commission meets monthly to adopt, approve, or provide advice on plans and projects that impact the nation's capital and surrounding areas.

401 9th Street, NW
Suite 500N
Washington DC 20004
Phone: (202) 482-7200
Fax: (202) 482-7272
Email: info@ncpc.gov
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