Panel backs Trump’s 250-foot arch, sets September height fight
What’s next: the National Capital Planning Commission wants design changes and more traffic details before a final vote.
The National Capital Planning Commission voted 8-1 Thursday to approve preliminary site and building plans for President Donald Trump’s proposed 250-foot arch near Arlington Memorial Bridge, while signaling a fresh fight over whether federal height limits apply. Staff urged the project team to revise the design to comply with the Height of Buildings Act and come back for final approval. The panel also asked for more information on traffic, pedestrian safety, materials and the granite exterior. The arch, which would include an observation deck and three gilded statues, has already cleared the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts. Opponents say it would disrupt views between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. The commission plans to revisit the project in early September.