WATCH LIVE: National Capital Planning Commission considers Trump's triumphal arch plan

President Donald Trump's ambitious plan to erect a towering triumphal arch in the nation's capital faces a critical review by the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC). While the commission's staff has recommended approving preliminary plans, they also insist the design must be revised to adhere to the federal Height of Buildings Act, which preserves Washington D.C.'s iconic skyline.

The proposed 250-foot (76-meter) arch, intended to be a public observation deck topped with gilded statues, is slated for a traffic circle on the Virginia side of the Memorial Bridge. The NCPC staff's 185-page report suggests that design modifications are necessary to redistribute the height and comply with the law. Despite these recommended revisions, the arch would still reach Trump's desired height, according to the report.

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Staff suggests the Commission request the applicant revise the project design to comply with the Height of Buildings Act and return to NCPC for final approval.

Beyond height restrictions, the commission's staff also seeks further information on crucial aspects like vehicular traffic around the structure, its proposed granite exterior, and other project details before the Interior Department grants final approval. This review follows the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts' approval of the arch's design in May.

Critics contend the arch's scale is inappropriate for the D.C. skyline and would disrupt historically significant views between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. However, opposition has had little impact on the commissions, both of which include individuals appointed by Trump, including Will Scharf, a top White House aide leading the NCPC. A lawsuit has also been filed by a group of veterans and a historian.

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Applying the law 'would require design revisions to redistribute the height between the main structure, habitable roof structure and statuary.'