City Commisions Some projects in the Historic District will also need to be reviewed by other City agencies. Please contact the Planning Department at 301.600.1499 to discuss your project. The Planning Department staff will help identify which other agencies, if any, might also need to approve your project. Planning Commission In general any new construction project, other than single-family homes, must be reviewed by the Planning Department staff or the Planning Commission. Larger new construction projects that include more than 15 dwelling units, occupies more than 11,000 square feet or alters existing parking and traffic circulation requires review by the Planning Commission. However, depending on the nature and scope of the project, other factors might necessitate Planning Commission review. Contact the Historic Preservation Planner at 301.600.1792 to determine if your project will require review by the Planning Commission. Board Of Zoning Appeals If a proposed project does not conform to the existing zoning ordinance, the applicant might need to seek a variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA). Applications to create a commercial use in a historic structure also require BZA approval. If a variance is needed for your project, BZA approval should be obtained prior to appearing before the HDC.

Streets and Sanitation Committee This standing advisory committee of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen reviews improvements, both private and public, which affect the public right-of-way. Any new construction or rehabilitation project that affects the public way and cannot meet City Standards will require approval from the Streets and Sanitation Committee. If your project requires approval from this Committee, it should be the first stop in the approval process. Because it is important to determine whether or not a proposed improvement will impact City services, these concerns should be addressed early in the process. Any recommendation from this committee must be confirmed by the full Board of Aldermen. Mayor and Board of Aldermen All projects that impact city owned property or infrastructure require approval from the Mayor and Board of Aldermen. Upon receiving approval from the Mayor and Board of Alderman, the project can proceed to any other remaining commissions for the necessary approvals. In some cases, concurrent reviews by the various committees are possible. The Historic Preservation Planner can help navigate the various review bodies and help determine what approvals are necessary and which commission approval is required first. Contact the Planning Department at 301.600.1499 for further details.