Does DC need a citizen Planning Commission to oversee planning decisions, the way the HPRB oversees historic preservation or the National Capital Planning Commission governs the use of federal property? The Post’s Roger Lewis is skeptical. This week’s Current quotes various members of influential neighborhood groups who are disappointed with an interim report that seems to frown on the idea. (The article continues here).

Many of the people quoted in the article are from the same groups that already organize on development issues, some of whom tend to assume a NIMBY posture. Meanwhile, the Office of Planning tends to favor development. Whether you want a commission seems to depend on whom you agree with more often. The Current article closes with an ironic quote from Barbara Zartman of the Committee of 100: “We all remember a time when politics shaped land-use decisions. Let’s hope the planning commission is not derailed.” This reminds me of the saying that it’s “politics” when you don’t like a policy and “responsible governance” when you do. Would a planning commission create more politics or less?

What do you think? Does the DC Office of Planning make good decisions? Do we need a Planning Commission?

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Tagged: anti neighbors, dc, development, politics

David Alpert created Greater Greater Washington in 2008 and was its executive director until 2020. He formerly worked in tech and has lived in the Boston, San Francisco Bay, and New York metro areas in addition to Washington, DC. He lives with his wife and two children in Dupont Circle.