New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-24
HEIGHT ORDINANCE
GAINS SUPPORTERS
Measure Likely to Become
a Law in the Near
Future.
NEXT HEARING
ON JANUARY Is
When Regulation Is in Effect
Main Part of Buildings Cannot
Exceed 3O0-Foot Mark.

The ordinance now before the Board
o. Aldermen 20 regulate the height,
si, and arrangement Of buildings in
this city is gaining new supporters
daily. and i nothing unforeseen hap
mems +. is said that it will be in effect
in the near future. All persons who
are opposed 10 or in favor Of the prop
osition and are DESTROYS Of expressing
their views on the subject should at
tend q public hearing on the ordinance
70 be held al the City Hall at $3.50
o'clock on Thursday. January %. This
will probably be the final hearing on
this important measure before the
Board Of Aldermen takes definite &C
ton on il.
This ordinance embodies the ideas Of
many minds on the question Of the
limitations that should be placed on the
height o. buildings. It was framed
after & most careful study Of what
other cities had accomplished to regu-
late the size Of various structures. A
commission appointed by President Nc
Anenv was intrusted with this vital
subject. and US findings are based on
The needs and experiences OF other mu-
ricipalities and an analysis Of the To-
cal building situation. Edward NJ. Bas-
sett was chairman Of the commission.
Alderman Hamilton introduced the or
dinsnce
The primary or main object Of the
ordnance is 20 regulate the shape OF
buildings so that the city will be able
to conserve the light and air OF its
thorough fares, and TO prevent buildings
being constructed so that the utilization
and the present occupancy Of contigu-
Gus and nearby lots will be iniuriousiy
affected. ,...
Under certain specified conditions
there Will be no limitation WnalsoeNeI
70 the height Of any building 10 pe
hereafter constructed, proNiocu ue
maximum height Of the class OF strucl-
IRE TO be erected is not expressed IN
provisions Of the present building coue.
A non-frcproof tenement cannot low
be over 15 feet high. Nor can an once
building, store, studio, warehouse
factory, church or amusement nan vi
a private dwelling be built o. non-hre
proof material 20 height eNceedlhg 90
feet. Non-Grcproof hotels, janis, lhsIl-
tutions and theatres cannot now lega"E
exceed the height Of 30 feet ana
inches There js. too, provision %
the tenement house act when says
that no tenement house can be hlgner
than one and one-half times the Wlutn
o. the widest street upon wnlch IL
faces These facts are cited mere as
many persons seem 10 think that 'he
ordnance does not relate 70 any Grass
o. buildings 20 be erected in the city
EXCEPT Office structures. whereas II Will
affect an classes Of buildings IL VIII
not permit the putting up Of taller
buildings than can be legally dohe
under the laws now in force.
Whatever limitation may be imposed
By the ordinance on Office buildings
has been described by some building
experts as physical limitation. FOR
instance, the ordinance provides that
The main shape or part Of building
cannot exceed a height OF 800 feet
above the curb level. Such buildings
will have 70 be on plots fronting on
park or a public square or marginal
street like West st. This phase OF CON
struction work is governed by the pro
vision Of the ordinance which says
except as otherwise stated IN inns
ordinance, the limiting height OF street
walls shall be twice the width OF the
street, but not more than 300 rect:
The majority Of streets are ABOUT oV
feet wide. Therefore the main par OF
a building may rise 70 100 feet Now
y Il was desired 20 put up lOO-ioot
tower on that or any structure us
ev,er walls would have 20 be set PACK
z feet the ratio being one foot setoAok
Tor ever four feet OF height. vi
course. the setback would eventusliy
become so big as 20 make imposslDie
Toe erection OF a gigantic tower 3,
The main provisions OF the ptoposeu
ordnance are as follows;
Every building. hereafter ereeteu,
shall be so constructed that the street
vii not exceed in height the limits
herelnsfter prescribed, or that any
other wall or any part Of such 6uitdihs
other than church spires or oeities'
and ehimneys for power or manul"o',
sring plants, will not project beyoh1
NE lines or planes hereinafter reterIeu ~
70 81 setback planes, except that any
aart or parts Of building not eAeeeu-