An Act to amend the act of June 6, 1924, as amended, relating to the National Capital Park and Planning Commission, and for other purposes.
PL 82-592 (H.R.7502), enacted 07/19/1952

66 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 5 9 2 - J U L Y 19, 1952 
781 
America to the credit and for the use of the respective tribes in ac-
cordance with the provisions of the Act of May 19,1947 (61 Stat. 102), 
25 use eu-eu. 
as amended by the Act of August 30,1951 (65 Stat. 208). 
Approved July 18, 1952. 
Public Law 592 
CHAPTER 949 
AN ACT 
July 19, 1952 
To amend the Act of June 6, 1924, as amended, relating to the National Capital 
[H. R. 7502] 
Park and Planning Commission, and for other purposes. 
N a t i o n a l Cap-
ital Planning Act 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled^ That section 1 of 
the Act approved June 6, 1924, entitled "An Act providing for a oVi95z 
comprehensive development of the park and playground system of the 
National Capital" (43 Stat. 463), as amended, is hereby further 
40 use 71 
amended by substituting in lieu thereof the following: 
GENERAL PURPOSES, FINDINGS, AND DEFINITIONS 
"SECTION 1. (a) It is the purpose of this Act to secure comprehen-
sive planning for the physical development of the National Capital 
and its environs; to provide for the participation of the appropriate 
planning agencies of the environs in such planning; and to establish 
the agency and procedures requisite to the administration of the func-
tions of the Federal and District of Columbia governments related to 
such planning. 
The Congress hereby finds that the location of the 
seat of government in the District of Columbia has brought about the 
development of a metropolitan region extending well into adjoining 
territory in Maryland and Virginia; that effective comprehensive 
planning is necessary on a regional basis and of continuing importance 
to the Federal establishment; that the distribution of Federal installa-
tions throughout the region has been and will continue to be a major 
influence in determining the extent and character of development; 
that there is needed a central planning agency for the National Capital 
region to coordinate certain developmental activities of the many dif-
ferent agencies of the Federal and District Governments so that such 
activities may conform with general objectives; that there is an increas-
ing mutuality of interest and responsibility between the various levels 
of government that calls for coordinate and unified policies in planning 
both Federal and local development in the interest of order and 
economy; that there are developmental problems of an interstate 
character, the planning of which requires collaboration between Fed-
eral, State, and local governments in the interest of equity and con-
structive action; and that the instrumentalities and procedures herein 
provided will aid in providing the Congress from time to time with 
information and advice requisite to legislation. 
The general objective 
of this Act is to enable appropriate agencies to plan for the develop-
ment of the Federal establishment at the seat of government in a 
manner consistent with the nature and function of the National Capital 
and with due regard for the rights and prerogatives of the adjoining 
States and local governments to exercise control appropriate to their 
functions, and in a manner which will, in accordance with present and 
future needs, best promote public health, safety, morals, order, con-
venience, prosperity, and the general welfare, as well as efficiency and 
economy in the process of development. 
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PUBLIC LAW 592-JULY 19, 1952 
[66 ST A T . 
Definitions. 
"(b) As used in this Act, (1) 'region' or 'National Capital region' 
means the District of Columbia; Montgomery and Prince Georges 
Counties in Maryland; Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince 
William Counties in Virginia; and all cities now or hereafter existing 
in Maryland or Virginia within the geographic area bounded by the 
outer boundaries of the combined area of said counties; (2) 'environs' 
means the territory surrounding the District of Columbia included 
within the National Capital region; (3) 'National Capital' means the 
District of Columbia and territory owned by the United States within 
the environs; and (4) 'planning agency' means any city, county, bi-
county, part-county, or regional planning agency authorized under 
State and local laws to make and adopt comprehensive plans whether 
or not its jurisdiction is exclusive or concurrent. 
Terms of office 
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL PLANNING COMMISSION 
"Creation of Commission 
"SEC. 2, (a) The National Capital Planning Commission, herein-
after called the 'Commission', is hereby created and designated as the 
central planning agency for the Federal and District Governments 
to plan the appropriate and orderly development and redevelopment 
of the National Capital and the conservation of the important natural 
and historical features thereof. 
"Composition of Commission 
"(b) The Commission shall be composed of— 
"(1) ex officio, the Chief of Engineers of the Army, the Engi-
neer Commissioner of the District of Columbia, the Director of 
the National Park Service, the Commissioner of Public Buildings, 
the Commissioner of Public Roads, the chairmen of the committees 
on the District of Columbia of the Senate and the House of 
Representatives (either of which chairmen if unable to serve in 
person may designate another member of his committee to serve 
as a member of the Commission in his stead) and, in addition, 
"(2) five eminent citizens well (|ualified and experienced in city 
or regional planning, to be appointed by the President, at least 
two of whom shall be bona fide residents of the District of Colum-
bia or the environs, including one of such residents who shall be 
appointed from among not less than three nominees of the Board 
of Commissioners of the District of Columbia: Provided^ That 
the foregoing professional requirements may be waived in the 
case of the nominees of the Board of Commissioners if in the 
opinion of the Board of Commissioners said nominee has demon-
strated capacity for leadership in the planning and development 
of the District of Columbia: And ^provided further^ That appoint-
ive members of the National Capital Park and Planning Com-
mission in office on the effective date of this amendatory Act 
shall serve out their unexpired terms, as members of the Com-
mission, in lieu of an equal number of members provided for in 
this paragraph (2). The terms of office of other members first 
appointed under this paragraph (2) shall be so fixed by the 
President that the term of one of such five members will expire 
on April 30 of each of the following years, namely, 1953, 1954, 
1955, 1956, 1957, and thereafter the terms of office shall expire 
every six years following such dates, respectively. Any member 
of the Commission appointed under this paragraph (2) shall, 
the expiration of his term notwithstanding, continue as a member, 
6b S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 592-JULY 19, 1952 
783 
pending the appointment and qualification of the successor. Any 
person appointed to fill a vacancy shall be appointed only for the 
unexpired term of the member whom he shall succeed. The 
appointive members of the Commission shall receive no compensa-
tion as such, but shall be paid a per diem in lieu of subsistence 
and be reimbursed for the cost of travel when attending meetings 
of the Commission or engaged in investigations or other specific 
duties pertaining to its activities, in accordance with applicable 
law, 
"Officers and Employees of Commission 
"(c) The President shall designate the Chairman of the Commis-
sion and the Commission may elect from among its members such other 
officers as it deems desirable. The Commission is authorized to employ 
a Director, an executive officer, and such other technical and adminis-
trative personnel as it may deem necessary. Further, without regard 
to section 3709 of the Revised Statutes, as amended, the civil service 
^i use s. 
and classification laws, or section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 
(5 U. S. C. 55a), the Commission may employ, by contract or other- 
^° ^
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wise, the temporary or intermittent (not in excess of one year) services 
of city planners, architects, engineers, appraisers, and other experts or 
organizations thereof, as may be necessary to carry out its functions, 
and in any such case the rate of compensation shall be fixed by the 
Commission so as not to exceed the rate usual for similar services. 
"Advisory and Coordinating Committees 
"(d) The Commission may establish, with the consent of each 
agency concerned as to its representation, such advisory and coordinat-
ing committees composed of representatives of such agencies of the 
Federal and District of Columbia Governments as may be necessary or 
helpful to obtain the maximum amount of cooperation and correlation 
of effort among the various agencies of such Governments, in order 
that the National Capital may be developed in accordance with the 
comprehensive plan. As it may deem appropriate, the Commission 
may invite representatives of the planning and developmental agencies 
of the environs to participate in the work of such committees. 
"General Scope of the Commission's Functions 
"(e) As hereinafter m.ore specifically described in sections 4 to 8, 
it shall be among the principal duties of the Commission to (1) pre-
pare, adopt, and amend a comprehensive plan for the National Capital 
and make related recommendations to the appropriate developmental 
agencies; (2) serve as the central planning agency for the Federal 
and District Governments, within the National Capital region, and 
in such capacity to review their development programs in order to 
advise as to consistency with the comprehensive plan; and (3) be the 
representative of the Federal and District Governments for collab-
oration with the Regional Planning Council, as hereinafter provided. 
" N A T I O N A L CAPITAL REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL 
"Establishment and Composition of the Council 
"SEC. 3. (a) There is hereby established a National 
Capital 
Regional Planning Council, hereinafter referred to as the 'Council', 
to be composed, whenever possible, of representatives of the planning 
agencies of the region, of demonstrated capacity for leadership in 
784 
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PUBLIC LAW 592-JULY 19, 1952 
[66 S T A T . 
the planning of the region. 
The Council shall consist of the Chair-
man of the Commission, ex officio, Engineer Commissioner of the 
District of Columbia, and not to exceed eight other members who, 
with their alternates, shall be appointed by the Commission, pursuant 
to nominations as hereinafter provided. 
For the Maryland environs, 
the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission may 
nominate two of its members, one each for the portions of the Mary-
land-Washington regional district within Montgomery and Prince 
Georges Counties, respectively, and for the portion of either county 
without the said Maryland-Washington regional district, the gov-
erning bodies of each county may nominate a member of the planning 
agency for each such portion: Provided, That if any portion of either 
county is without a planning agency the governing body of such 
county may nominate a qualified person to represent such portion. 
For the Virginia environs, the Northern Virginia Regional Planning 
and Economic Development Commission, after soliciting recommen-
dations from the governing bodies of the cities and counties of the 
Virginia environs, may nominate 4 persons, each of whom shall be 
a member of a planning agency in the Virginia environs but no more 
than one of whom shall be from the same city or county. 
An equal 
number of alternate members of the Council from the Maryland and 
Virginia portions of the regions may be nominated by the nominating 
Compensation, 
authorities designated herein. 
The members of the Council shall 
receive no compensation for their services on the Council, but may, 
62 Stat. 793. 
notwithstanding the provisions of title 18 U. S. C. 1914, continue to 
accept such compensations as may be paid to them as members of 
local governmental agencies. The Council shall select its chairman 
from among its members. 
gtoiS''"^*'"' *° '*" 
"(b) Any county or portion of any county in Maryland or Vir-
ginia may hereafter be added to the National Capital region if the 
local governing body of such county shall so request and if the Com-
mission and the Council shall find that such addition to the region 
is appropriate and shall accordingly approve such request. 
Any 
county or portion of any county so added to the region may participate 
in the work of the Council according to such terms and conditions 
as may be mutually agreed upon by the Commission, the Council and 
the governing body of such county except that no provision for par-
ticipation shall permit an increase in the number of members of the 
Council as herein constituted. 
"Services and Facilities 
"(c) The Commission shall make available to the Council such 
technical and clerical assistance and such other services and facilities 
as may be necessary for the performance of the functions of the 
Council. 
The Council may accept such assistance, services, and facili-
ties as may be made available by any State or local governmental 
authority having jurisdiction in the areas in which the agencies herein 
authorized to nominate members of the Council have jurisdiction. 
"Preparation of Regional Plan 
"(d) The Council is authorized to adopt and, from time to time, 
amend, or extend, a general plan for the development of the region, 
to serve as a general framework or guide of development within 
which each part of the region may be more precisely planned by the 
appropriate planning agency or agencies. The regional plan shall 
66 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 592-JULY 19, 1952 
785 
include a land-use plan which designates the proposed general dis-
tribution and general locations and extents of the uses of land for 
such categories as may have important influence on the development 
of the region; and in addition, such other elements of a general plan 
having over-all influence as are required to provide for the proposed 
major movements of people and goods throughout the region, for the 
primary facilities for community development and for the conserva-
tion and development of natural resources. As the basis for its plans, 
the Council shall at all times give consideration to those features of 
any plan duly adopted by the Commission or any planning agency 
appropriate for incorporation in the general plan for the region. 
The Cfouncil shall also consider and aim to accommodate the land-use 
requirements of the Federal and District Governments in the environs. 
These provisions shall not operate to prevent the Council from pro-
posing changes, additions, or substitutions for consideration by any 
of the planning agencies of the region. 
"Additional Responsibilities 
"(e) The Council shall collaborate with the Commission and pro-
mote collaboration and cooperation between the Commission and the 
planning agencies of the environs and the Maryland and Virginia 
State planning agencies. To that end, it may assemble and inter-
change information, conduct surveys essential to its work, and in 
general seek to reconcile the plans and proposals of the planning 
agencies of the region. It may also cooperate with the planning or 
other public agencies having jurisdiction in the area oeyond the 
boundaries of the region. It may, at its discretion, periodically pro-
vide opportunity by public hearings, meetings, or conferences, exhibi-
tions and publication of its plans, for review and comments by non-
governmental groups and the general public. The Council shall report 
council reports, 
annually on the progress of its work to the Commission and to the 
agencies which are represented thereon. At any time subsequent to 
three years after the approval of this Act, the Council may make 
recommendations to the Commission or other agencies represented on 
the Council for any legislation which, as the result of its experience, 
it may deem desirable to make its general purpose more effective. 
"Actions of Council 
"(f) In making any recommendation, adopting any plan, or approv-
ing any proposal, action shall be taken by a majority vote of all 
members of the Council: Provided^ however^ That no action affecting 
directly a single local planning jurisdiction may be approved except 
by the affirmative vote of the member representing that jurisdiction: 
Provided further^ That in the case of an action involving more than 
one jurisdiction, the negative votes of a minority of the Council shall 
be made a matter of record and shown on all plans adopted. No vote 
by any member of the Council shall be construed as an official commit-
ment of the agency represented by the member unless so authorized by 
said agency. 
"COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 
"Preparation and Adoption 
"SEC. 4 (a) The Commission is hereby charged with the duty of 
preparing and adopting a comprehensive, consistent, and coordinated 
plan for the National Capital, which plan shall include the Com-
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PUBLIC LAW 592-JULY 19, 1952 
[66 S T A T . 
mission's recommendations or proposals for Federal and District 
developments or projects in the environs. 
The Commission shall 
collaborate with the Council in the development of those elements of 
the plan for the National Capital which should be incorporated in 
the regional plan provided for in section 3. While consistency between 
the respective proposals of the Commission and the Council shall be 
sought, lack of action or agreement by the Council shall not prevent 
the Commission from adopting any part of its plan within the Dirl ict 
of Columbia or any recommendation or proposal for Federal or Dis-
trict developments or projects in the environs. The Commission may 
include in its plan any portion of any plan adopted by the Council 
or any planning agency in the environs and from time to time make 
recommendations of collateral interest to the Council or to the afore-
said agencies. 
"Content of Plan 
"(b) The Commission's plan for the National Capital shall show its 
recommendations for the development of the District of Columbia and 
may include, among other things, the general location, arrangement, 
character, and extent of highways, streets, bridges, viaducts, subways, 
major thoroughfares, and other facilities for the handling of traffic; 
parks, parkways and recreation areas, and the facilities for their 
development and use; public buildings and structures, including monu-
ments and memorials, public reservations or property, such as airports, 
parking areas, institutions, and open spaces; land use, zoning, and the 
density or distribution of population; public utilities and services for 
the transportation of people and goods or the supply of community 
facilities; waterway and water-front development; redevelopment of 
obsolescent, blighted, or slum areas; neighborhood areas; projects 
affecting the amenities of life, the preservation and conservation of 
natural scenery and resources, and features of historic and scientific 
interest and educational value; and all other proper elements of city 
and regional planning. 
The plan may include appropriate maps, 
plats, charts, tables, and descriptive, interpretive and analytical 
matter, economic and social aspects, and trends of urban development, 
and such functional and sectional plans as the Commission deems 
necessary or desirable. The Commission's recommendations or pro-
posals for Federal and District developments or projects in the environs 
may include their general location, character, size, and intensity of use 
and such general plans for their development as may be necessary 
to present the Commission's recommendations to the appropriate 
authorities. 
"Generalized Elements of the Plan 
"(c) As a general frame of reference for the Commission in making 
its recommendations under the foregoing subsection (b), the Commis-
sion shall at all times give primary consideration to the broad elements 
of the plan which shall include, but not be limited to, generalized 
plans for land use, major thoroughfares, park, parkway, and recreation 
system, mass transportation, and community facilities and services. 
These generalized plans shall also be the basis for integrating the 
Commission's proposals with those of the Council and for the general 
purpose of guiding and accomplishing a coordinated, comprehensive, 
adjusted, and systematic development of the National Capital and its 
environs. 
66 STAT.] 
PUBLIC LAW 592-JULY 19, 1952 
787 
"Progressive Adoption, Amendment, or Review 
"(d) The Commission may, as the work of preparing the compre-
hensive plan progresses, adopt any element or a part or parts thereof 
and from time to time shall review and may amend or extend the 
plan, in order that its recommendations may be kept up to date. 
"Consultation With Interested Agencies 
"(e) Prior to the final adoption of the comprehensive plan or any 
element thereof, or any subsequent revision, the Commission shall 
present such plan, element, or revision to the appropriate Federal or 
District of Columbia authorities for comment and recommendations. 
Presentation of proposed revisions may at the Commission's discre-
tion be made annually in a consolidated form. 
The said recommenda-
tions by Federal and District of Columbia authorities shall not be 
binding on the Commission, but it shall give careful consideration to 
such views and recommendations as are submitted prior to final adop-
tion. 
The Commission may, in addition and at its discretion, periodi-
cally provide opportunity by public hearings, meetings, or conferences, 
exhibitions and publication of its plans, for review and comments by 
nongovernmental agencies or groups, and, in consultation with the 
Commissioners of the District of Columbia, encourage the formation 
of one or more citizen advisory councils. 
"In carrying out its planning functions with respect to Federal 
developments or projects in the environs, the Commission may act 
in conjunction and cooperation and enter into agreements with any 
State or local authority or planning agency, as the Commission may 
deem necessary, to effectuate the adoption of any plan or proposal 
and secure its realization. 
"PROPOSED FEDERAL AND DISTRICT DEVEIJOPMENTS AND PROJECTS 
"General Procedure for Consultation With Commission 
"SEC. 5. (a) In order to insure the comprehensive planning and 
orderly development of the National Capital, each Federal and Dis-
trict of Columbia agency prior to the preparation of construction plans 
originated by such agency for proposed developments and projects or 
to commitments for the acquisition of land, to be paid for in whole 
or in part from Federal or District funds, shall advise and consult 
with the Commission in the preparation by the agency of plans and 
programs in preliminary and successive stages which affect the plan 
and development of the National Capital: Provided^ however^ That 
the Commission shall determine in advance the type or kinds of plans, 
developments, projects, improvements, or acquisitions which do not 
need to be submitted for review by the Commission as to conformity 
with its plans. After receipt of such plans, maps, and data, it shall 
be the duty of the Commission to make promptly a preliminary report 
and recommendations to the agency or agencies concerned. If, after 
having received and considered the report and recommendations of 
the Commission the agency does not concur, it shall advise the Com-
mission with its reasons therefor, and the Commission shall submit a 
final report. After such consultation and suitable consideration of 
the views of the Commission the agency may proceed to take action 
in accordance with its legal responsibilities and authority. 
93300 O - 53 - 53 
PUBLIC LAW 592-JULY 19, 1952 
[66 S T A T . 
j/ 
"Exceptions 
"(b) The j)rocedure prescribed in subsection 5 (a) hereof shall not 
apply to projects within the Capitol grounds or to structures erected 
by the Department of Defense during wartime or national emergency 
within existing military, naval, or Air Force reservations, except that 
the appropriate defense agency shall consult with the Commission as 
to any developments which materially affect traffic or require coordi-
nated planning of the surrounding area. 
"Approval of District Government Buildings in the Central Area 
"(c) The provisions of section 16 of the Act approved June 20, 
D.c. Code 5-428. 1933 (52 Stat. 802), are extended to include public buildings erected 
by any agency of the Government of the District of Columbia within 
the boundaries of the central area of the District as said central area 
may be defined and from time to time redefined by concurrent action 
of the Commission and the Board of Commissioners of the District of 
Columbia. 
"Additional Procedure for Consultation on Developments and Projects 
in the Environs 
"(d) Within the environs, general plans showing the location, char-
acter, extent and intensity of use for proposed Federal and District 
developments and projects involving the acquisition of land, shall be 
submitted to the Commission for report and recommendations before 
final commitment to said acquisition, unless such matters shall have 
been specifically approved by an Act of Congress. Before acting on 
any general plan, the Commission shall advise and consult with the 
Council and the appropriate planning agency having jurisdiction over 
the affected part of the environs. 
When, in the judgment of the 
Commission, proposed developments or projects submitted to the Com-
mission under subsection (a) hereof involve a major change in the 
character or intensity of an existing use in the environs, the Commis-
sion shall likewise advise and consult with the Council and the afore-
said planning agency. 
The report and recommendations required 
under this subsection shall be submitted within sixty days arjd shall 
be accompanied by any reports or recommendations that may have 
been prepared by the Council or the aforesaid planning agency. 
"(e) It is the intent of the foregoing provisions of this section to 
obtain cooperation and correlation of effort between the various agen-
cies of the Federal and District Governments which are responsible 
for public developments and projects, including the acquisition of 
land. 
These agencies, therefore, shall look to the Commission and 
utilize it as the central planning agency for the Federal and District 
Governments in the National Capital region. 
To aid the Commission 
in carrying out this function, plans, data, and records, or copies 
thereof, necessary to the Commission shall be furnished upon its re-
quest by such Federal and District governmental agencies; and the 
Commission shall likewise furnish related plans, data, and records, 
or copies thereof, to Federal and District of Columbia governmental 
agencies upon request. 
66 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 592-JULY 19, 1952 
WH 
"THOROUGHFARE PLAN 
"Preparation and Adoption of Thoroughfare and Transportation 
Plans for the District of Columbia 
"SEO. 6. (a) As elements of the comprehensive plan described in 
section 4 above, the Commission shall prepare a major thoroughfare 
plan and a mass transportation plan. The major 
thoroughfare 
plan may include established and proposed routes. 
Following the 
preparation and adoption by the Commission of the major thorough-
fare plan, or parts thereof, it shall be submitted to the Board of 
Commissioners of the District of Columbia and if approved by the said 
Board shall be deemed to be the approved plan. 
Revisions in the 
major thoroughfare plan or parts thereof shall similarly require the 
adoption by the Commission and approval by the Board of Commis-
sioners of the District of Columbia. The mass transportation plan 
shall be prepared, adopted, approved, or revised in the same manner 
as prescribed herein, for the major thoroughfare plan except that the 
Joint Board provided for in section 6 (e) of the District of Columbia 
Traffic Act, 1925, as amended (sec. 603 (e), title 40, D. C. Code), shall 
46 stat. i424. 
be responsible for its approval and approval of subsequent revisions. 
Revision of the major thoroughfare plan or parts thereof and the mass 
transportation plan may be proposed by the Commission and may also 
be proposed by the Board of Commissioners of the District of Colum-
bia with respect to the thoroughfare plan and by said Joint Board 
with respect to the mass transportation plan. 
"Thoroughfare Plan Serving Federal and District Needs in the 
Environs 
"(b) Prior to final adoption of the thoroughfare plan and its sub-
mission to the Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia 
for approval under the foregoing subsection, the Commission shall 
consult with the Council and the planning agencies affected regarding 
the Commission's recommendations for extension of the thoroughfare 
system of the District of Columbia to serve Federal and District 
developments and projects in the environs. Such recommendations 
shall be made after consultation with the Bureau of Public Roads, the 
National Park Service, the Board of Commissioners of the District 
of Columbia and the appropriate State highway agencies. The Coun-
cil may review the Commission's recommendations as to consistency 
with its general plan for the region and submit a report thereon, which 
the Commission shall transmit with its own recommendations to the 
Bureau of Public Roads as a guide to portions of the regional 
thoroughfare plan included or to be included in the Federal-aid high-
way system. After consideration of such report and recommendations, 
the Bureau of Public Roads may proceed to take action in accordance 
with its legal responsibilities and authority. 
"SIX-YEAR PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAM 
-
"SEC. 7. The Commission shall recommend a six-year program of 
public works projects which it shall review annually with the agencies 
concerned. To this end each Federal agency and the Board of Com-
missioners of the District of Columbia shall submit to the Commission 
in the first quarter of each fiscal year a copy of its advance program 
. . 
of capital improvements within the National Capital and its environs. 
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790 
PUBLIC I4AW 592-JULY 19, 1952 
[66 S T A T . 
iir. 
'ZONING AND SUBDIVISION FUNCTIONS 
"Amendments of Zoning Regulations and Maps 
"SEC. 8. (a) The Commission may make a report and recommen-
dation to the Zoning Commission of the District of Columbia on 
proposed amendments of the zoning regulations and maps as to the 
relation or conformity of such amendments with the comprehensive 
plan of the District of Columbia. 
The Commission may also submit 
to the said Zoning Commission proposed amendments or general revi-
sions to the zoning regulations or the zoning map for said District. 
"Further Report on Zoning Matters 
"(b) When requested by a properly authorized representative of 
the Commission, the Zoning Commission may at its discretion recess 
for a reasonable period of time any public hearing held by it to con-
sider a proposed amendment to the zoning regulations or map, in 
order that the Commission or its representative may have an oppor-
tunity to present to the Zoning Commission a further report on the 
proposed amendment. 
"Zoning Committee 
"(c) The functions vested in the Commission pursuant to this 
section may, to such extent as the Commission shall determine, and 
subject to confirmation by the Commission when requested by the 
Zcming Commission of the District of Columbia, be performed by a 
committee of the Commission which shall be known as the Zoning 
Committee of the National Capital Planning Commission and shall 
consist of not less than three members of the Commission designated 
by the Commission for the purpose. The number of members serving 
on the Zoning Committee may be varied from time to time. 
"Recommendations as to Platting and Subdividing of Lands 
"(d) Any proposed change in or addition to the regulations or 
general orders regulating the platting and subdividing of lands and 
grounds in the District of Columbia shall first be submitted to the 
Commission by the Board of Commissioners of the District of Colum-
bia for report and recommendation prior to adoption by such Board. 
Should the Board not concur in the recommendations of the Com-
mission, it shall so advise the Commission with its reasons therefor 
and the Commission shall submit a final report within thirty days. 
After consideration of this final report, the Board may proceed to take 
action in accordance with its legal responsibilities and authority. 
It 
shall be the duty of the Commission to submit any proposed changes 
in or amendments to the general orders that the Commission considers 
appropriate and the Board of Commissioners shall treat the amend-
ments proposed in the same manner as other proposed amendments. 
" T R A N S F E R S FROM PREDECESSOR AGENCY 
"SEC. 9. All other functions, powers, and duties of the National 
Capital Park and Planning Commission, including those formerly 
vested in the Highway Commission established by the Act of March 2, 
1893 (27 Stat. 532), and those formerly vested in the National Capital 
VolTsc 71-74. 
Park Commission by the Act of June 6, 1924 (43 Stat. 463), together 
D.C. Code 7-108 
to 7-112 
66 
S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 592-JULY 19, 1952 
791 
with the personnel, records, property, and unexpended balances (avail-
able or to be made available) of appropriations, allocations, and all 
other funds, including trust funds, of the National Capital Park and 
Planning Commission, are hereby transferred to the Commission. 
a 
Short title. 
D. C. C o d e 8-
10 2 n o t e , 
8-106 
APPROPRIATIONS 
"SEC. 10. There are hereby authorized to be appropriated, out of 
any moneys in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise 
appropriated and in any appropriate appropriation Act other than 
the annual District of Columbia Appropriation Act, such sums as 
may be necessary to carry out the provisions of sections 1 to 10 of 
this Act, as amended, any existing provisions of law to the contrary 
notwithstanding." 
SEC. 2. Sections 2, 3, and 4 of the Act approved June 6, 1924, as 
^o use 72-74. 
amended, shall be renumbered as sections 11, 12, and 13. Sections 1 
and 2 of this Act may be cited as the "National Capital Planning 
Act of 1952". 
SEO. 3. The first section of the Act of May 29, 1930 (46 Stat. 482), 
as amended, authorizing appropriations for the acquisition and 
development of lands for the park and parkway system of the National 
Capital, is hereby amended— 
(1) by striking out "$9,000,000" and inserting in lieu thereof 
"$13,500,000". 
(2) by adding at the end thereof the following new paragraph: 
"(c) For the extension of the park and parkway system of the 
National Capital in the Virginia environs of Washington, as may be 
agreed upon between the National Capital Planning Commission and 
a park authority established under the Park Authorities Act of the 
State of Virginia (and such other public bodies as may be authorized 
under the laws of the State of Virginia), up the valleys of Hunting 
Creek, Cameron Run, Holmes Run, Tripps Run, Four Mile Run, 
Pimmit Run, Accotink Creek, and tributaries of such streams, and 
over other desirable lands, $4,500,000. No part of such sum shall be 
expended by the United States for any unit of such extension until 
the National Capital Planning Commission has received definite com-
mitments from such park authority (and other public bodies) of the 
State of Virginia for two-thirds of the cost of acquiring the lands in 
its judgment necessary for such unit of the extension deemed by the 
Commission sufficiently complete. The title to the lands acquired here-
under shall vest in, and the development and administration thereof 
shall be under, such park authority or the State of Virginia in accord-
ance with plans approved by the National Capital Planning Commis-
sion. Such lands shall not be used for any purpose other than the 
development and completion of the extension of the park and parkway 
system provided for in this paragraph, except with the approval and 
consent of the National Capital Planning Commission. No appropria-
tion authorized in this paragraph shall be available for expenditure 
until a suitable agreement has been entered into between the National 
Capital Planning Commission and the appropriate local authority 
as to sewage disposal and storm-water flow." 
Approved July 19, 1952. 
Restrictions.