Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-08
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
New Building Regulation About
Narrow Houses.
FROM DIFFERENT POINTS OF view
Indications That More Attention is
Being Paid to Sanitary Living.
SOME IMP YEMEN T S

1t seems now, according to a revised
copy CT the amendment to para graph four
of the building regulations, that it was not
the idea of the Commissioners 20 limit the
width of buildings 10 sixteen feet. The old
regulation, which permits building twelve
feet wide % be erscted, still stands. The
new regulation for5ids the erection of any
dwelling en- a lot less than sixteen feet in
width unless such lot the 4th day of
February, 1896, was less than such width.
The object of this regulation is to prohibit
future subdivision of lots less than sixteen
feet in width.
The new regulation also provides that no
permit shall be issued for block of two
or more dwellings in the District of Co.
lumbia until the land upon which they are
to be erected be subdlvided i'll accordance
with existing regulations for subdividing
land, so that each house will have sepa-
rate lot. There have been a good many
protests against the enforcement of this
regulation There are any number OF lots
in the city that sixty feet wide. Snecu-
latOrs who own such property and desire
to erect four houses are blocked By this
new regulation, as it would be necessary
to show lots sixteen feet front. a case in
point occurred yesterday. A builder, the
owner of a sixty-foot lot, desired TO erect
four dwellings. He had his plans made,
refused 1nd the new regulation was shown
as the reason therefor. He protested that
1t was unfair to compel him to subdivide
his lot on basis of sixteen feet, for when
1t was done he would be left with a twelve
foot frontage, which he oould not improve or
SELL Yet he said he was expected to pay
taxes thereon Such action on the part of
the Commissioners, he said, was arbitrary.
Some of the Objections.
Some time ago. when the Commissioners
passed a regulation requiring an area of
ten feet square IN the rear of houses for
light and entilation, there was no conten-
ton, he said 1t was a good regulation.
But where were the Commissioners going
to stop? After while he observed sarcas-
tically, they would be taking ground off
the front of the lots for more parking, and
a man would be compelled to own a twenty
hve-foot lot to build a tweNe-foot house.
Another case came up yesterday. a
young builder purchased a lot 80 feet 1
inches wide. On one side of him fine
building was located, while an alley fanked
him on the other side He desired to build
two houses upon this lot, but was con-
frontei with The new regula ton. Now, in
his case it was impossible TO buy inch
Of ground on either side. The lot was too
large to profitaby build one house, and he
was prevented from subdividng, for he
could not make two siXteen-foot lots out
of 80 feet inches. He said. under the cir
cunstances, he would deed Ii feet inches
ground. But here. again. he was barred.
for such a subdivision would not be re-
corded.
Another Point of View.
Or the other hand, it is claimed that this
regulation regarding the erection Of ex-
trenlely narrow houses is in line with many
Of the recent changes in the building laws
IN this city, and is designed to contribute
not only to the beauty of the city, but to
the health of the people. The same ten
dency is manifested in the law which was
enacted several years ago prohibiting the
erection of houses in alleys. Recently it
has been proposed to give the Commission
ers authority to condemn property to
provide direct access to alleys from the
streets, and allow them to run through
from street to street In a straight line. 1t
is recognized that in these narrow and
cramped places of the city population is apt
10 gather because rents are cheap, and I'M
der these circumstances insanitary condi-
tiors are almost inevitable. 1t is there
fore, evident that the new regulations can
be looked at from several points of view.
and no doubt the Commissioners are fully
aware Of this fact.
Mr.. wilkins Purchasc
Mr.. Beriah Wilkins has purchased the lot
adjoining or the east the Washington Post
building 1t las a frontage of 20 feet and
a depth of 30. The rear portion of this lot
was owned by Mr.. Wilkins, and now he
has acquired the front portion. 1t is his
Intention, some time in the future to erect
on this ground building which will be an
addition to the Post building.
Some improvements.
j. T. benson, architect, has prepared
plans for row of seven residences, which
will be erected at Princeton and 18th
streets. the houses will be three stories
high, with cellar, and will have square and
round bay windows, tiled mansard roofs
orials gables and corner tower. Roman brick
will be used in the construction of the
fronts, which will be trimmed with light
cOlOred stone. The steps and porches will
be of stone VestibuleS and baths will be
tiled: the first floor will be finished in hard
wood, and the pariors and Railways will be
ornamented with Moorish fret work Fur
Race heat will be used in all but the corner
house, which is to have a hot water heat
ing system
]. w. Thomas has been granted a permit
to erect four brick dwellings on 9TH street
between G and Fl streets northeast. They
viii each have a frontage of fifteen feet
and depth of thirtysix feet; will be three
stories and cellar; bay windows and fronts
of light brick.
An Improvement at the corner of Con-
necticut avenue and S street is contem-
plated by John r. Lane and plans have
been prepared by Hugh A. Campbell, archi-
tect, fer block of four residences to be
erected at this site. They will oe four
stories nlSh, with basement. The fronts
will be of buff brick, trimmed with light
stone, tastefully carved, and will contain
square bay windows. Hard wood trim
mings will be employed in the interior fur
nishing.
The southeast corner of 18th and Roanoke
streets, Columbia Heights. just north of
Calumet place, will be improved by the
erection of seven four-story dwellings, The
fronts will be built with light stone and
buff bricks. Each house is to be ornament
ed with bay window, some of which will
De topped out with towers, and some with
balconies. The corner house will have a
large circular tower rising above the high:
est point of the building and supporting a.
large observatory, which will be surmount-
ed by a colonnade The houses win be trim
med in hard wood, and have tiled yesti-
bules, and will be heated by a system of
hot water.
Each house will be wired for electric
lighting.
And This From Boston.