Committee of the Whole Public Hearing

COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004 CHAIRMAN PHIL MENDELSON COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE ANNOUNCES A PUBLIC HEARING on Bill 25-480, Addressing Legacies of Housing Segregation in Chevy Chase Amendment Act of 2023 Bill 25-481, Addressing Legacies of Housing Segregation in Rock Creek West Amendment Act of 2023 Bill 25-482, Releasing Restrictive Covenants in Deeds Act of 2023 on Friday, December 8, 2023 at Noon Hearing Room 412 (Track B) John A. Wilson Building 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW DC Council Website (www.dccouncil.gov) Council Chairman Phil Mendelson announces a public hearing before the Committee of the Whole on Bill 25-480, the “Addressing Legacies of Housing Segregation in Chevy Chase Amendment Act of 2023,” Bill 25-481, the “Addressing Legacies of Housing Segregation in Rock Creek West Amendment Act of 2023,” and Bill 25-482, the “Releasing Restrictive Covenants in Deeds Act of 2023.” The hearing will be held at Noon on Friday, December 8, 2023. The stated purpose of Bill 25-480 is to amend the Zoning Act to declare void, as contrary to public policy, antiquated covenants on properties in Squares 1864, 1865, 1866, and 1877 prohibiting apartment houses or buildings with multiple dwelling units when such units would otherwise be permitted under modern planning and zoning laws. The stated purpose of Bill 25- 481 is to amend the Zoning Act to declare void, as contrary to public policy, antiquated covenants on properties in the Rock Creek West Planning Area prohibiting apartment houses or buildings with multiple units when such units would otherwise be permitted under modern zoning and planning laws. The stated purpose of Bill 25-482 is to clarify that prohibited restrictive covenants are unlawful, to allow property owners and boards of common interest communities to release prohibited restrictive covenants from a deed, and to allow the Recorder of Deeds to refuse to record a document containing such a prohibited restriction. Those who wish to testify must register using the Council’s Hearing Management System at https://lims.dccouncil.gov/hearings by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 6, 2023. Testimony is limited to four minutes. Witnesses who anticipate needing spoken language interpretation, or require sign language interpretation, are requested to inform the Committee office of the need as soon as possible but no later than five business days before the proceeding by emailing cow@dccouncil.gov. We will make every effort to fulfill timely requests, although alternatives may be offered. Requests received in less than five business days may not be fulfilled. Witnesses will receive instructions on how to participate by Zoom prior to the hearing. If you have additional questions, please contact Evan Cash, Committee and Legislative Director , at (202) 724-8196 or cow@dccouncil.gov.  Public witnesses will participate virtually via the Internet on the Zoom Video Conference platform. Testimony should be submitted through the Council’s Hearing Management System (https://lims.dccouncil.gov/hearings) in advance of the hearing. Testimony will be publicly accessible upon Committee review. If you are unable to testify at the hearing, written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record. Statements for the record should be submitted through the Hearing Management System or left by voicemail by calling (202) 430- 6948 (up to 3 minutes which will be transcribed). The record will close at 5:00 pm on Thursday, December 22, 2023.