WASHINGTON — The embattled memorial to honor the nation’s 34th president, Dwight D. Eisenhower, got a boost Thursday from an approving agency after famed architect Frank Gehry modified the design.

The National Capital Planning Commission voted 10-1 in favor of the downsized design in the first of a two-stage approval process. While the vote represents a victory for the Eisenhower Memorial Commission, the design still faces strong opposition from Congress and the Eisenhower family, which objected to it as too grandiose.

The planning commission had voted against preliminary approval in April, forcing Gehry to make substantial changes in his vision. His modified design removes two controversial metal tapestries that the planning commission said impeded sight lines to the U.S. Capitol and leaves two stand-alone pillars instead.

Congress has cut almost all the funding for the memorial because so many disliked the design.