Chapter 291. To regulate, the height, exterior design, and construction of private and semipublic buildings in certain areas of the National Capital
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CHAP. 291.— An Act To regulate, the height, exterior design, and construction of private and semipublic buildings in certain areas of the National Capital. May 16, 1930.[[S. 2400](/us/bill/71/s/2400).][[Public, No. 231](/us/pl/71/231).] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, District of Columbia.Declaration as to de velopment of. That in view of the provisions of the Constitution respecting the establishment of the seat of the National Government, the duties it imposed upon Con gress in connection therewith, and the solicitude shown and the efforts exerted by President Washington in the planning and de velopment of the Capital City, it is hereby declared that such development should proceed along the lines of good order, good taste, and with due regard to the public interests involved, and a reasonable degree of control should be exercised over the archi tecture of private or semipublic buildings adjacent to public buildings Application for per mits for buildings front ing on designated Gov ernment property to bo submitted by Commis sioners, to Commission of Fine Arts.and grounds of major importance.
To this end, hereafter when application is made for permit for the erection or alteration of any building, any portion of which is to front or abut upon the grounds of the Capitol, the grounds of the White House, the portion of Pennsylvania Avenue extending from the Capitol to the White House, Rock Creek Park, the Zoological Park, the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway, Potomac Park, The Mall Park System and public buildings adjacent thereto, or abutting upon any street bordering any of said grounds or parks, the plans therefor, so far as they relate to height and appearance, color, and texture of the materials of exterior construction, shall be submitted by the Commissioners of the District of Columbia to the Commission of Report of recommendations of Commission.Fine Arts; and the said commission shall report promptly to said commissioners its recommendations, including such changes, if any,367as in its judgment are necessary to prevent reasonably avoidable impairment of the public values belonging to such public building or park; and said commissioners shall take such action as shall, inAction of Commissioners. their judgment, effect reasonable compliance with such recommendation: *Provided*, That if the said Commission of Fine Arts fails to*Proviso*.Approval assumed if no report within SO days and permit may be issued.Plats defining areas affected to be submitted to Commission of Fine Arts, for recommendations. report its approval or disapproval of such plans within thirty days, its approval thereof shall be assumed and a permit may be issued.
Sec. 2. Said Commissioners of the District of Columbia, in consultation with the National Capital Park and Planning Commission, as early as practicable after approval of this Act, shall prepare plats defining the areas within which application for building permits shall be submitted to the Commission of Fine Arts for its recommendations. Approved, May 16, 1930.