REGIONAL PLAN OF WASHINGTON AND ENVIRONS
Chapter XVII
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION
A new period in the development of the city may be said to date from 1901 with the filing of the report of the McMillan Park Commission, for since that time there has been a constant increase in the interest taken by the public. The outstanding dates recording the progress of this increased interest are 1910, 1912, 1920, and 1924. The Fine Arts Commission was established in 1910. A new beginning of control of private property was made in 1910 after many years’ lapse of the original restrictions imposed by President Washington. This new beginning consisted in control of the height of buildings, the passage of a height law, and was followed in 1920 by a comprehensive zoning law.
In 1924 the lack of provision of public parks and the failure to carry out the proposals of the plan of 1901, in so far as park areas were concerned, led to the formation of the National Capital Park Commission, with authority to purchase lands for park purposes. The organization of the Commission was the result of combined efforts of many nation-wide organizations.
The new Commission soon found that an intelligent choice of park lands could not be made without knowledge of the interrelation of parks, highways, zoning, public buildings, and other elements of city and regional planning. The authority of the Commission was therefore increased in 1926, and its membership enlarged. The new National Capital Park and Planning Commission was charged—
with the duty of preparing, developing, and maintaining a comprehensive, consistent, and coordinated plan for the National Capital and environs (an area of some 1,539 square miles, lying roughly within 20 miles of the White House, and involving the cooperation of 2 States, 4 counties, 2 cities, and numerous incorporated places), which plan shall include recommendations to the proper executive authorities as to traffic and transportation; plats and subdivisions; highways, parks, and parkways; school and library sites; playgrounds, drainage, sewerage, and water supply; housing, building, and zoning regulations; public and private buildings; bridges and water fronts; commerce and industry; and other proper elements of city and regional planning.
The largest single factor in determining the extent and character of the development of the National Capital will be the extent, character, and wisdom of the permanent investments by the public in public areas and improvements. This Commission has, therefore, considered as of primary importance the proper location and extent of public lands, whether used for streets, parks, public buildings, or other public services; and the timely acquisition and development of these areas for their particular purposes.
