• By Stephen Staudigl
• January 15, 2025

NCPC Approves Several Projects through a Notational Vote

While the National Capital Planning Commission’s January 9, 2025 meeting was cancelled due to the federal government closure in observance of President Carter’s funeral, the Commission voted to approve several projects through a notational vote.

NCPC approved final site and building plans submitted by the Department of Defense, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Washington for the 23,000 square foot Joint Base Andrews Child Development Center located in Camp Springs, Maryland. The facility will employ 69 personnel and serve a maximum of 162 children. In the approval the Commission noted that the updated plans include a new pathway connection, potential future artwork on the building façade, and an increased number of trees.

The Commission approved preliminary and final site and building plans submitted by the Department of Defense, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Washington for the Joint Base Andrews P490 Crash Rescue Station located in Camp Springs, Maryland. The single-level, 36,200 station, home to fire and safety personnel trained to respond to emergency situations, would be located near the installation’s west runway (Taxiway Whiskey). Commissioners requested that the Air Force submit the West Flightline District Area Development Plan (where the project is located) to NCPC when available.

NCPC approved preliminary and final site and building plans submitted by the National Institutes of Health for Building 29B Improvements on its campus in Bethesda, Marland. The proposed improvements will enable the building to continue to function as the adjacent research buildings (29 and 29A) are demolished and replaced with the Center for Pediatric and Adult Disease Research Building.

The Commission approved final site and building plans submitted by the District Department of General Services for the Malcolm X Elementary School Modernization for the school built in 1965 and located at 1500 Mississippi Avenue, SE. Plans call for a 20,000 square foot expansion to include administration spaces, classrooms, student dining, and gymnasium, as well as extensive improvements to the site for various age-appropriate play spaces, improved accessibility, outdoor classrooms, and gathering spaces.

Commission actions and related materials are available online..

The Commission also approved three items on the Consent Calendar. Unless otherwise noted, the projects are in Washington, DC.
1. Preliminary and final site development plans for the West Heating Plant Pedestrian Bridge, 1055 29th Street, NW. (8582)
2. Comments on concept plans for the Freer Gallery of Art Exterior Lighting Replacement, 1050 Independence Avenue, SW. (8615)
3. Preliminary site development plans for the Piney Branch Tunnel Project, 1700 Piney Branch Pkwy NW. (8434)

The Executive Director approved two items under authority delegated by the Commission. Unless otherwise noted, the projects are in Washington, DC.
1. Final building plans for the Wolf Trap Park for the Performing Arts - Main Gate Replacement, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna, Virginia. (8593)
2. Report to the Zoning Commission of the District of Columbia for the Proposed Text Amendment to Create a Building Height Transition Setback and a Side Yard in Square 175, 1617 U Street, NW. (ZC 23-26)