New-York tribune., 1913-11-16
EFFECTS Of D|STR|CT|NC
Cities with Such Regulations in
Force Are Beautiful.
OWNERS WELL PROTECTED
Important Features of Codes OF
Washington, Baltimore and
Indianapolis.

and his investigators, has gathered DATA
on districting from a majority OF the
twenty-odd cities in this country where
districtng laws are in force.
In Washington. which visiting foreign
ers. as a rule, find the most beautiful or
American cities, the commissioners of the
District of Columbia have full power, and,
indeed, are directed to denominate por-
tions of streets as business streets. So
stringent are the protective restrictions
that the commissioners may only so
designate a street wherein the greater
part of frontage not less than three
blocks in length is used for business pur-
poses and where a portion of a street
has already been denominated business
street and there exists adjoining a block
or more whose frontage is used for bust
ness purposes
There are now in Washington about
seventy portions of streets which are
classified as business streets. All the
streets in the District Of Columbia that
are not so designated are considered resi-
dence streets. There is, however, no stat
utory provision in the District which re-
stricts the development of business
streets to business purposes or of resi-
dence streets TO residence purposes. own
ers are free to develop their property as
they see fit.
The beneficial effect of these restrictions
in the national capital is obvious. The
splendid wide spaces, the vistas, undts-
turbed by unsightly skyscrapers and mis-
u -st,-v
ton a character and a distinction which
only the strict enforcement OF districting
regulations could preserve.
In Baltimore the regulations governing
districting have been evolved from the
most painstakng considerations looking
to the protection of the health of the citi-
zen. They are most stringent. In this
regard the most notable safeguard is the
provision which forbids the granting of a
permit for the erection Of any building
which comes under certain classification.
except with the approval OF the Mayor,
and even IN granting his approval the
Mayor makes certain specifications rs 10
location of the building that he consid-
ers as necessary - safeguard the in.cr-
ests of the public.
Following is the classification which is
considered one Of the most important sec
tions OF the building code OF Baltimore
Hospitals and buildings for treatment
of the feeble minded, sanatorums.
Livery stables and boarding stables.
Garages, automobile stations OF the
places for the keeping of vehicles
OF any kind which are propelled by
motive power, the intention of which
is for any other purpose than the housing
OF not more than two machines or vehi-
cles to be used for private purposes only
by the person or persons occupying the
same lot on which structure is desired
Blacksmith shops and junk shops.
Brick, tile and terra Gotta factories.
stoneware and earthenware factories.
Paint factories, soap factories, candle
factories and woodworking factories
The storing and altering of packing
boxes on any lot or in any building.
Lumber yards. planning mills. iron
mills. foundries, breweries distlleries.
packing houses. gas works and acid
works.
The manufacture of fertilizers.
But even the Mayor in Baltimore has
not the power TO issue permit for
building that comes within these classif-
cations until an opportunity has been
given adjacent property owners to pro-
test.
Ten days public notice OF the appica-
tion for a permit must be given. The
application must be published at least
four times i'm two newspapers. and IL
must be posted conspicuously upon the
premises of the proposed building The
section of the code even particularizes as
to size OF the type tc be used i'm the print
ing of this signboard. Furthermore, the
applicant for the permit must pay the
cost of this advertising
If protests are filed against the grant
ing of the permit, the building Inspector
holds hearing with the compainants on
the premises. After hearing the protests
and considering the rights of the sur
rounding property owners. the building
facts 10 the Mayor.
Where there is protest the permit re
quires the joint approval of the Inspector
and the Mayor. Where there is no protest
the Mayor is the sole judge as 10 the al
visibility OF granting the permit.
In granting or Withholding their APP
proval to a permit the building inspector
and the Mayor are prompted by three
considerations First, the fire hazard OF
the proposed building: second. the effect
| OF the proposed building on surrounding
| land values. and. third. the effect Of the
| proposed building on the general welfare
| of the residents OF the immediate vicinity.
In addition to the restrictions indicated
| by this classification, the state Legislat-
ure of Maryland in 1910 passed an act
which protects public hospitals in Balti-
more. This act prohibits the erection of
garages. livery stables storage houses OF
houses where infiammable goods or ex-
plosives are kept within Coz feet OF any
hospital
| In Indianapolis. one of the most oeauti-
full and admirably planned cities OF the
Middle West. no building may exceed 200
| feet in height. This ordinance was passed
| by the City Council in 1912. but in 1906
there had been passed an ordinance that
! made So feet he maximum height OF
| buildings In Monument Place. the circu-
lar street encompassing the Soldiers and
Sailors Monument.
Any one violating this ordinance is sub
ject to a fine of $50 for each and every
days continued violation.
In New York State districtirg, accord
ing to an act passed at the recent session
Of the Legislature. is permitted only III
cities of the second class. and there are