Unless otherwise noted on the Tentative and Final Agendas, NCPC’s Commission meetings will take place in a hybrid format. This means that Commissioners and staff will be in person at NCPC’s offices, and the public and project applicants have the ability to participate either online or in person.

On certain occasions, including inclement weather, health, safety, or limited open session items, meetings may be conducted solely online. Notice of this will be provided via the website and tentative and final agendas.

• View the Commission meeting agenda and meeting materials online.
• Watch the Commission meeting live online, or later on archived meeting videos available on our website 3-5 business days after the meeting. They are also available on the meeting's archive page.
• Provide written comments on specific agenda items in advance of the meeting to be shared with Commissioners. Email your comments to info@ncpc.gov, preferably in a PDF format. Refer to the above table for the deadline to submit written testimony for the October 9 meeting. To ensure the Commission has time to review and consider your comments, please turn in comments in as early as possible.
• Sign up to testify either in person or remotely on specific agenda items through written testimony, online, or via phone during the meeting. When registering for Final Action Items listed in the Final Agenda see the deadlines table (above).

Public comment is an important part of the Commission process. For hybrid meetings, NCPC will use the following procedures to ensure reasonable, accessible testimony opportunities, that testimony is presented to the Commission during the meeting, and that technological problems are minimized.

Register to speak by the published deadline (see table 1 above). Registering online is the way to testify on meeting items. Ensure to include the phone number that you would use as a backup in case you have audio problems.

• You will have three minutes to testify if you are representing yourself. You will have five minutes to testify if you are representing an organization. You must submit by email to info@ncpc.gov confirmation from the organization that you are its designated representative (usually this is on letterhead from the organization leader) no later than the deadline listed in the table above.
• You must email a PDF copy of your written testimony to info@ncpc.gov by the deadline (see above table). Any graphics or images must be included in your submitted testimony. You will not have the opportunity to share your screen or to share your own visual presentation during your testimony. Testimony will be shared with the Commissioners and posted to NCPC’s website. You may reference exhibits submitted in your written testimony. To ensure the Commission has time to review and consider your comments, please turn materials in as early as possible.
• Online participants in NCPC’s hybrid Commission meetings will participate using Zoom. You will receive an Outlook calendar invitation that contains the link to connect to the meeting. Please make sure to include this in your calendar.
• Online participants will also receive an invitation to participate in a pre-meeting online test on the Wednesday before the Commission meeting to ensure that you don’t have problems joining, to test your audio and video, go over meeting procedures, and answer any questions you may have. The meeting is from 4:00-5:00 pm, but you just need to join for a few minutes.

Public testimony will be provided after the staff presentation of the agenda item.

• If you have difficulties connecting to the meeting, contact NCPC at ITGT@ncpc.gov.
• All testifying public will join the meeting as “Attendees” once the meeting begins at 1:00 pm. You will be able to watch or listen to the meeting, but not talk or be on camera.
• During the staff presentation of your agenda item NCPC staff will change your status to “Panelist.” You will see a notice of this on your screen and will have to accept this. The status change will take a few seconds.
• Once your status changes to “Panelist” you will be able to unmute and turn on your camera when called upon to provide comments or answer questions. Please ensure that your audio is muted and your camera off until you are called on to speak.
• When it is your turn to speak, the Chair will request that you unmute, turn on your camera, and proceed with your testimony. The public will testify in the order in which the registration was received, and which is posted online. You will be notified when your time is complete.
• The Commissioners may ask you questions. Once you have answered any questions, please mute and turn off your camera.
• Once the public testimony for your project is completed, no further public testimony will be accepted. Your status will be changed back to “Attendee” and you can watch the rest of the Commission deliberations. You will not have the opportunity to speak unless requested by a Commissioner. If that happens, NCPC staff will change your status back to “Panelist.”
• On occasion, a Commissioner may ask for a response from a member of the public later in the meeting, so we recommend that you stay online until the specific agenda item is complete.
• We expect that all participants will be respectful throughout the public testimony process. Do not interrupt or disrupt other parties providing testimony, or request to speak after your testimony is complete. Otherwise, you may be dismissed from the meeting.
• Please note that written comments and public testimony are public information, will be included as part of the official record for the project and will be posted on NCPC’s website.

• Arrive early. The meeting begins at 1:00 pm and follows the final agenda, but there is no estimate for when review of each project will begin.
• Public seating is available in the Commission Chambers, on the north side closest to the lobby.
• Public testimony will be provided after the staff presentation of the agenda item.
• The public speaks from the podium on the north side (closest to the lobby). When you testify, make sure the microphone is on and speak into the microphone. Your comments are part of the official record and will be recorded and videotaped.
• When the Chairman calls your name, please step up to the podium and state your name clearly. Indicate whether you are speaking as an individual citizen or on behalf of an organization. If you are representing an organization, you must submit an official letter in advance stating that your testimony is authorized.
• Individuals have three minutes to speak. People testifying on behalf of an organization have five minutes. A clock on the south wall indicates remaining time, and a buzzer will indicate when your time is up. Please complete your sentence and conclude your remarks quickly.
• Practicing (and timing) your testimony before the meeting is helpful.
• Commissioners may ask questions while you are at the podium.
• Testimony should be submitted electronically to info@ncpc.gov at least one (1) day prior to the Commission meeting. Testimony is provided to the Commissioners electronically and posted online. Any images or graphics should be included in your testimony, as you are not able to share them while providing testimony.
• Laser pointers are not allowed.
• The Chair has discretion on the order, length of time, and other aspects of public testimony.

If you have questions, email info@ncpc.gov or leave a message at 202.482.7200 and a staff member will return your call.

• If you have difficulties connecting to the meeting, contact NCPC at ITGT@ncpc.gov.
• Reasonable accommodations are provided upon request. For more information, email: info@ncpc.gov or call 202-482-7200.

These procedures ensure that we can allow the public to participate in meetings online and have the benefit of public participation. We thank you for your patience.