NCPC Glossary

Accessible means easy to approach, reach, enter, speak with, or use.

Those leisure pursuits requiring moderate to high physical exertion (e.g., hiking, bicycling, skating, and ball playing).

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law in 1990. The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public

Rehabilitation or renovation of existing building(s) or structures for any use(s) other than the present use(s).

The Air Force District of Washington, located on Joint Base Andrews, Md., brings air, space and cyberspace capabilities to the joint team protecting the nation's capital, and supports local personnel and those serving worldwide.

A bus that operates using a fuel other than diesel, such as natural gas or electric batteries.

A schedule that varies from the standard 8-hour day / 40-hour work week.

Aesthetic or other characteristics of a development (natural or man-made) that increase its desirability to a community or its marketability to the public

A body comprised of NCPC Commission members and federal and local government officials, established in 1994 to explore visual impact and other issues associated with the installation of antennas in the National Capital Region.

Structures and devices that are used for the transmission of electronic, magnetic, or radiowave communication.

The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is the builder and steward of the landmark buildings and grounds of Capitol Hill. The AOC staff preserves and maintains the historic buildings, monuments, art and inspirational gardens on the Capitol campus.

The Area of Potential Effects (APE) is defined in the regulations implementing the Section 106 review process as "The geographic area or areas within which an undertaking may directly or indirectly cause changes in the character or use of historic properties, if any such properties exist.

Architectural details that add character and interest to a building. Embellishments primarily serve an aesthetic purpose. Examples of traditional embellishments on civic and institutional buildings in Washington, DC are spires, towers, friezes, and domes. (Architectural embellishments are sometimes used to conceal mechanical equipment, but generally are not occupied.)

Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection: Anti-Terrorism is defensive measures used to reduce the vulnerability of individuals and property to terrorist acts, to include limited response and containment by local military forces. Force Protection is a security program designed to protect service members, civilian employees, family members, facilities, and equipment, in all locations and situations, accomplished through planned and integrated application of combating terrorism, physical security, operations security, personal protective services, and supported by intelligence, counterintelligence, and other security programs.

Anacostia Waterfront Initiative (AWI) envisions the river as the center of a vital and prospering city, rather than an economic and cultural divide.

A steep headland, promontory, escarpment, riverbank, or cliff with an abrupt vertical change in topography of more than 10 feet with an average slope steeper than two feet of rise for one foot of horizontal travel.

Short vertical posts that can be arranged in a line to close a road or path to vehicles, and to separate traffic from pedestrians.

The Greater Washington Board of Trade is shaping and advancing our regional economy, with a focus on improving connectivity and making better use of existing resources. The Board of Trade addresses business concerns that stretch across the District of Columbia, Suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia, with a priority focus on securing long term dedicated funding and governance reform for Metro and intelligently growing this region through the use of smart cities concepts. By acting more as a region, Greater Washington will enhance efficiencies of operation and economies of scale.

Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) is a process by a United States federal government commission to increase United States Department of Defense efficiency by planning the end of the Cold War realignment and closure of military installations. More than 350 installations have been closed in five rounds.

An abandoned, idle, or under-used industrial and commercial facilities where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination.

Districts established at or adjoining commercial-residential district boundaries to mitigate potential frictions between uses or characteristics of use. Such district regulations may provide for transitional uses, yards, heights, off-street parking, lighting, signs, buffering, or screening.

The various codes of the city that regulate construction and require building permits, electrical permits, mechanical permits, plumbing permits, and other permits to do work regulated by city code pertaining to building and building regulation.

The outline of the total area covered by a building or structure's perimeter at the ground level.

The vertical distance of the highest point of the roof or any rooftop deck, fence, railing, widow's walk, or other rooftop structure or feature above the mean finished grade of the ground adjoining the building.

The way that three-dimensional forms are combined to make up the total building bulk.

Distance which a structure is setback from a particular point. A penthouse setback refers to the distance a penthouse must be setback from the main building's outerwall. The setback both distinguishes and preserves the main building's cornice line.

The elements of the environment that are generally built or made by people as contrasted with natural processes.

A transit system that employs express buses using dedicated rights-of-way and passenger stations, allowing it to function in a similar manner to a fixed railway transit system.

A designated geographic area where property owners voluntarily collect annual assessments that are spent on projects that enhance the local business environment. These may include improvements to the streetscape, marketing efforts, business recruitment activity, and security programs.

A dedicated right-of-way exclusively for bus travel.

The Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) is an independent, quasi-judicial body. It is empowered to grant relief from the strict application of the Zoning Regulations (variances), approve certain uses of land (special exceptions), and hear appeals of actions taken by the Zoning Administrator at the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs.

The unofficial mascot of the National Capital Planning Commission. Capital Cat can be seen on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Annual Reports, and the website. This cat makes cameo appearances to enhance and lighten some of the agency's messages, and because it's fun!

"Categorical exclusion" means a category of actions which do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment and which have been found to have no such effect in procedures adopted by a Federal agency in implementation of these regulations (Sec. 1507.3) and for which, therefore, neither an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact statement is required.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the largest federal law enforcement agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security. It is charged with regulating and facilitating international trade, collecting import duties, and enforcing U.S. regulations, including trade, customs, and immigration. It has a workforce of more than 45,600 sworn federal agents and officers. It has its headquarters in Washington, D.C.

The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) commemorates its 100-year anniversary in 2024. This milestone offers a unique opportunity to reflect on much more than the agency’s history — it offers an opportunity to examine the evolution of planning in Washington, DC and the region, acknowledge inequities created by past planning practices, and consider lessons learned to inform planning today and into the future.

Website

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) is a division of the Executive Office of the President that coordinates federal environmental efforts in the United States and works closely with agencies and other White House offices on the development of environmental and energy policies and initiatives.

The Commission of Fine Arts is an independent federal agency charged with giving expert advice to the President, the Congress and the federal and District of Columbia governments on matters of design and aesthetics, as they affect the federal interest and preserve the dignity of the nation’s capital.

The principal offices of a foreign mission used for diplomatic and related purposes and annexes to such offices (including ancillary offices and support facilities), including the site and any building or buildings on such site which is used for such purposes.

Special physical characteristics of a structure or area (e.g. architecture, landscaping, natural features, open space, types and styles of housing, number and size of roads and sidewalks) that set it apart from its surroundings and contribute to its individuality.

An intensive focused workshop in which designers, property owners, developers, public officials, citizens, environmentalists, and other stakeholders work together to brainstorm and envision potential projects of benefit to the community.

A transit vehicle or system that utilizes fixed routes to serve multiple destinations.

The process through which citizens who live, work, invest or spend time in an area are actively involved in the development of plans and recommendations for that area.

The decision-making process in which community goals and objectives are established, existing resources and conditions analyzed, strategies developed, and investments targeted and/or development controls enacted to achieve these goals and objectives. The purpose of city planning is to further the welfare of people and their communities by creating beneficial, equitable, healthful, efficient, and healthy environments for present and future generations.

The image of a community or area as defi ned by such factors as its built environment, natural features and open space elements, type of housing, architectural style, infrastructure, and the type and quality of public facilities and services.

A district established to provide a means of conserving an area's distinctive atmosphere or character by protecting or enhancing its significant architectural or cultural attributes.

Development that is sensitive and responsive to the context in which it occurs. This type of development seeks to balance development goals with other desirable outcomes (e.g. historic preservation, environmental sustainability, and the creation of vital public spaces).

The horizontal top edge of a building. Cornice lines define the street-wall along a street and serve an important role in framing views along streets.

The 1986 Commemorative Works Act provides guidance on the location and design of new memorials and monuments. The Act requires that Congress authorize all memorials on lands administered by NPS or GSA, and that NCPC, CFA, and either the Secretary of the Interior, in the case of parklands, or the Administrator of General Services, in the case of GSA administered land, approve memorial sites and designs.

The District of Columbia Historic Preservation Office (DCHPO) promotes stewardship of the District of Columbia's historic and cultural resources through planning, protection and public education. HPO is part of the Office of Planning and serves as the staff to the Historic Preservation Review Board and Mayor's Agent for historic preservation.

The mission of the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) is to protect the health, safety, economic interests and quality of life of residents, businesses and visitors in the District of Columbia by ensuring code compliance and regulating business.

Selected population characteristics as used in government, marketing or opinion research, or the demographic profiles used in such research. Commonly-used demographics include race, age, income, disabilities, mobility (in terms of travel time to work or number of vehicles available), educational attainment, home ownership, employment status, and area or location. Demographic trends describe the changes in a population over time.

The number of dwelling units or principal buildings or uses permitted per net acre of land.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is a cabinet department of the United States federal government with responsibilities in public security, roughly comparable to the interior or home ministries of other countries.

The Defense Intelligence Agency Headquarters is the main operating center of the Defense Intelligence Agency. It is located on the premises of Joint Base Anacostia–Bolling in Washington, DC.

Cultural diversity encompasses the cultural differences that exist between people, such as social customs, language, dress and traditions, and may also refer to the way societies organize themselves, their conception of morality and religion, and the way they interact with the environment.

The Department of Defense is an executive branch department of the federal government of the United States charged with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government concerned directly with national security and the United States Armed Forces.

Environmental Assessment is a concise public document that provides sufficient evidence and analysis for determining whether an agency should issue a Finding of No Significant Environmental Impact.

A grant by a property owner to the use of land by the public, a corporation, or persons for specific purposes as the construction of utilities, sidewalks, drainage ways, or roadways.

A neighborhood, or redevelopment area, committed to advancing sustainability through green building, smart infrastructure and behavior. They provide a framework for setting goals, defining projects, engage in collaborative efforts, and raise the bar for sustainable practices.

An environmental impact statement, under United States environmental law, is a document required by the National Environmental Policy Act for certain actions "significantly affecting the quality of the human environment."

Executive Order: A legal proclamation or directive used by the President to exercise authority. Executive Orders are not required to be reviewed and approved by the Congress to be legally binding.

The face of a building. All wall planes of a building which are visible from one side or perspective. The front Facade faces and is most closely parallel to the front lot line.

The Federal Capital Improvements Program (FCIP) is an annual collection of funding requests for the construction of new, or renovation of existing, federal buildings and infrastructure. Federal agencies in the National Capital Region submit projects to NCPC for compilation and review.

The Food and Drug Administration is a federal agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, one of the United States federal executive departments.

An analysis of a specific project or program to determine if it can be successfully carried out.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Federal Office Building

A Finding of No Significant Impact is issued when environmental analysis and inter-agency review during the Environmental Assessment process find a project to have no significant impacts on the quality of the environment.

A fiscal year is the period used by governments for accounting and budget purposes. The United States federal government's fiscal year is the 12-month period ending on 30 September of that year, having begun on 1 October of the previous calendar year.

The rehabilitation and resettlement of low- and moderate-income urban neighborhoods by middle- and high-income professionals.

Geographic Information System, a computer system that stores and links nongraphic attributes or geographically referenced data with graphic map features to allow a wide range of information processing and display operations, as well as map production, analysis, and modeling.

Structures that incorporate the principles of sustainable design - design in which the impact of a building on the environment will be minimal over the lifetime of that building. Green buildings incorporate principles of energy and resource efficiency, practical applications of waste reduction and pollution prevention, good indoor air quality and natural light to promote occupant health and productivity, and transportation efficiency in design and construction, during use and reuse.

The park and park-like character of the city and its environs that is due to the presence of trees and abundant landscaping threaded through built-up urban areas, or bordering the shorelines of its rivers and streams.

The General Services Administration, an independent agency of the United States government, was established in 1949 to help manage and support the basic functioning of federal agencies.

Gross square feet, also called gross area, refers to the total square footage of a building. GSF is not just the total dimensions of floor plans for space that is occupied or able to be occupied. It includes common areas, building core and other areas of the building that may be used for maintenance and operations.

Gross square meters, also called gross area, refers to the total square meters of a building. GSM is not just the total dimensions of floor plans for space that is occupied or able to be occupied. It includes common areas, building core and other areas of the building that may be used for maintenance and operations.

Hazardous Materials - a material (such as flammable or poisonous material) that would be a danger to life or to the environment if released without precautions.

A measure of the frequency of vehicle arrivals in a transit system, expressed as the amount of time between arriving vehicles at a particular station or stop.

Any building that is historically or architecturally significant.

A district or zone designated by a local authority or state or federal government within which buildings, structures, appurtenances.

The preservation of historically significant structures and neighborhoods until such time as, and in order to facilitate, restoration and rehabilitation of the building(s) to a former condition.

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) is the technology of indoor and vehicular environmental comfort. Its goal is to provide thermal comfort and acceptable indoor air quality. HVAC system design is a subdiscipline of mechanical engineering, based on the principles of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer.

Facilities and services needed to sustain industry, residential, commercial, and all other land-use activities, including water, sewer lines, and other utilities, streets and roads, communications, transmission lines, and public facilities such as fire stations, parks, schools, etc.

The U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command is a direct reporting unit that conducts intelligence, security, and information operations for U.S. Army commanders and national decision makers.

The L'Enfant Plan of 1791 established the basic form of the original city including the National Mall, the city street grid, public spaces, and the location of the White House and U.S. Capitol. The L'Enfant Plan is a baroque city plan of four quadrants with a pattern of radiating avenues, parks, and vistas laid over an orthogonal system. The avenues were to be "wide, grand boulevards, lined with trees, and designed in such a manner that would visually connect topographical sites throughout the city." At these sites important structures, monuments, and fountains were to be constructed.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a rating system devised by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) to evaluate the environmental performance of a building and encourage market transformation towards sustainable design.

Maryland Rail Commuter service, operating between Union Station and various Maryland and West Virginia locations.

Developed by the Senate Park Commission in 1901, the plan now known as the McMillan Plan formalized the National Mall's design; created federal precincts around the National Mall (such as the Federal Triangle); and established key national parks such as the Civil War Defenses of Washington, also known as the Fort Circle Parks. It also refocused on removing development that interfered with the L'Enfant Plan's original framework, with uninterrupted greenspaces restored. The McMillan Plan was built upon the baroque ideals of the L'Enfant Plan and reinforced the idea of grand public spaces and civic buildings based on the City Beautiful Movement.

The U.S. Army Military District of Washington (MDW) is one of nineteen major commands of the United States Army. Its headquarters are located at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, D.C.

The Maryland Historical Trust is the state agency dedicated to preserving and interpreting the legacy of Maryland’s past. Through research, conservation and education, the Maryland Historical Trust assists the people of Maryland in understanding their historical and cultural heritage.

A type of urban development that blends residential, commercial, cultural, institutional, or entertainment uses, where those functions are physically and functionally integrated, and that provides pedestrian connections.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission is a bi-county agency that administers parks and planning in Montgomery and Prince George's Counties in Maryland.

Non-Appropriated Funds - monies derived from sources other than congressional appropriations and commissary surcharge funds, primarily from the sale of goods and services to DoD military and civilian personnel and their family members that are used to support or provide Morale, Welfare, and Recreation programs.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is an independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and aerospace research.

Established by Congress in 1924, the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) is the federal government’s central planning agency for the National Capital Region. Through planning, policymaking, and project review, NCPC protects and advances the federal government’s interest in the region’s development. The Commission provides overall planning guidance for federal land and buildings in the region by reviewing the design of federal and certain local projects, overseeing long-range planning for future development, and monitoring capital investment by federal agencies.

The National Capital Region (NCR) encompasses Washington, DC; Montgomery and Prince George's Counties in Maryland; Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William Counties in Virginia; and the incorporated cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, and Manassas in Virginia. The NCR is about 2,500 square miles (6,475 sq km).

Naval District Washington is one of eleven current naval regions responsible to Commander, Navy Installations Command for the operation and management of Naval shore installations in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area.

A Naval Surface Warfare Center is part of the Naval Sea Systems Command operated by the United States Navy.

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is a United States environmental law that promotes the enhancement of the environment and established the President's Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). The law was enacted on January 1, 1970.

The National Historic Preservation Act is legislation intended to preserve historical and archaeological sites in the United States of America.

The National Institutes of Health is the primary agency of the United States government responsible for biomedical and public health research, founded in the late 1870s.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology is a measurement standards laboratory, and a non-regulatory agency of the United States Department of Commerce. Its mission is to promote innovation and industrial competitiveness.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a Smithsonian Institution museum established in December 2003.

The National Museum of American History: Kenneth E. Behring Center collects, preserves, and displays the heritage of the United States in the areas of social, political, cultural, scientific, and military history.

The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) was created as an independent agency by Congress in 1974 to ensure the safe use of radioactive materials for beneficial civilian purposes while protecting people and the environment.

The Net Square Footage is the total square footage of all the rooms/areas on a floor. This includes assignable and non-assignable rooms. Note: NSF calculations do not include wall thickness or space that is open to below.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) serves the President of the United States in overseeing the implementation of his vision across the Executive Branch. Specifically, OMB’s mission is to assist the President in meeting his policy, budget, management and regulatory objectives and to fulfill the agency’s statutory responsibilities.

A structure on the top of a building’s roof that is setback from the exterior walls and does not occupy the entire roof of the building. Penthouses may serve as occupiable spaces, or they may be constructed to house mechanical equipment.

A Record of Decision (ROD) is a formal decision document which is recorded for the public.

The visual elements of a street, including the road, adjoining buildings, sidewalks, street furniture, trees and open spaces, etc, that combine to form the street's character.

The Transportation Security Administration is an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that has authority over the security of the traveling public in the United States.

Unified Facilities Criteria provide planning, design, construction, sustainment, restoration, and modernization criteria, and apply to the Military Departments, the Defense Agencies, and the DoD Field Activities in accordance with DoD Directive 4270.5.

Urban Land Institute is a nonprofit research and education organization supported by its members, representing the entire spectrum of land use and real estate development disciplines working in private enterprise and public service – including leading property owners, investors, advisors, developers, architects, lawyers, lenders, planners, regulators, contractors, engineers, university professors, librarians, students, and interns.

The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the country's seven uniformed services.

A viewshed is the geographical area that is visible from a location. It includes all surrounding points that are in line-of-sight with that location and excludes points that are beyond the horizon or obstructed by terrain and other features. Viewsheds are commonly used in terrain analysis, which is of interest to urban planning, archaeology, and military science. In urban planning, for example, viewsheds tend to be calculated for areas of particular scenic or historic value that are deemed worthy of preservation against development or other change.

The Virginia Railway Express (VRE) is a regional/commuter rail service that connects the Northern Virginia suburbs to Union Station in Washington, D.C., via two lines: the Fredericksburg Line from Fredericksburg, Virginia, and the Manassas Line from Broad Run/Airport station in Bristow, Virginia.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, commonly referred to as Metro, is a tri-jurisdictional government agency that operates transit service in the Washington metropolitan area.