Trump's arch clears another hurdle, setting up a big debate: Do height limits apply?
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"If the HBA no longer applies to federal property in the District, it could fundamentally reshape the city's architectural fabric, the balance of local vs. federal authority, and the visual character of the nation's capital," she added.

A White House official told NPR over email that the administration does not believe the Height of Buildings Act restricts the project, adding: "We expect the Arch proposal to proceed as-is."

That was the backdrop of Thursday's meeting, at which protesters rallied outside and over 40 people spoke out against the arch. They echoed a wide range of concerns reflected in the nearly 2,000 written comments the commission has received so far about the arch, as well as the lawsuit that Vietnam War veterans have brought against it.

Critics say the arch would block the historic view line between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery and "desecrate" one of the nation's most hallowed resting places.

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