• By Brittney Drakeford
• December 27, 2023

NCPC Releases Comprehensive Plan and Submission Guidelines Updates for Public Comment

The Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital’s Federal Elements are the blueprint for the long-term development of the nation’s capital and framework for NCPC’s review of projects and plans. NCPC drafted updates to the Comprehensive Plan’s Introduction Chapter that incorporate equity and climate resilience considerations and propose guidance for addressing the evolving needs of the federal workforce. The public is invited to comment on these updates from December 13, 2023 to March 12, 2024.

The Introduction Chapter serves as the foundation for the Comprehensive Plan’s Federal Elements and was last updated in 2016. This recent update aims to modernize this chapter by addressing critical planning challenges and aligning with current agency initiatives, including NCPC’s Equity and Climate Action Plans. The revision also provides guidance to shape federal planning in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, attuned to its impact on the local economy, population health, and urban space and security.

One of the most significant revisions of the update is the creation of a new Equity Guiding Principle and Equity Objectives. The equity principle was developed with guidance from a series of stakeholder meetings with representatives from nearly 20 diverse community organizations, universities, and local government agencies in the region.

At the December 7, 2023 meeting, the Commission also authorized the release of updates to the agency's Submission Guidelines. The new guiding principle and key objectives were used to update these guidelines. One of NCPC’s primary functions is to review master plans and projects submitted by federal agency applicants for consistency with the Comprehensive Plan. The aim of these updates is to encourage applicants to conduct early and meaningful community engagement, and to submit information about the equity impacts of plans and projects to inform the decision-making process.

The public can review the updates and submit formal comments (click the Initiative Page button below). The public is also invited to attend two upcoming meetings (virtual and in-person) to learn more and share their thoughts.

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