Military retirement home to be scaled back in size

The planned private redevelopment of the expansive Armed Forces Retirement Home campus in Northwest Washington will be scaled back by millions of square feet to address concerns of thecommunity and regional planners, officials said Thursday.

Updating the National Capital Planning Commission on the ongoing master planning process for the historic 272-acre property, Retirement Home Chief Operating Officer Timothy Cox said the development will ultimately total no more than 6.5 million square feet, down from the previously proposed 9 million. Also, building heights were reduced so that none are taller than 80 feet in an attempt to ensure continuity with surrounding communities and to preserve views of the U.S. Capitol.