New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-12
Scheme for Districting
Provides for Light, Air
and Height of Buildings.
HEARINGS TO BE HELD,
BEGINNING MARCH 81
Biggest Undertaking in Century
Result of Two Years Study
by Commission.

Persons who know say that 1t is the
biggest undertaking Of the present gen
Grafton.
They refer not TO the Panama Canal,
which will cost the United States s375,-
100000, nor to the dual subway system,
involving an expenditure of S33o,Oo0,OOo
bv New York City and the rapid tran
sit corporations, nor TO the CatsKiIl
Mountains aqueduct. which will bfing
water 10 the city at a cost Of Sl77,-
100000.
They have in mind a comprehensive
city plan for the New York Of the tut
ure. Already there has been invested
in real estate in this city more than
50 .OOO. 900 .OOO-a sum that makes the
combined cost Of the canal, the subways
and the aqueduct look small. How to
regulate within reasonable legal limita-
tons this enormous realty wealth for
tho benefit of the people who live on
the lard; how to correlate the city Of
the present. heritage o. past hap
hazard development-to the western
hemisphere capital Of fifty years renee
this is tho job delegated TO the Com
mission on Building Districts and Re
strictions.
Two Years Study by Experts.
Under authority granted TO the Board
Of Estimate by the Legislature, the
commission. composed of city officials,
engineers. real estate men and city
Manning experts, has been studying the
problem for two years. Their tentative
report has been fled with the Board of
Estimate.
Beginning March 81, the commission
will hold public hearings in the Munici-
pal Building to give property owners
an opportunity TO express their opin-
ions of the proposed city plan zones
Tentative recommendations OF the com
mission will become law as soon as
they are approved by the Board OF Is
innate and the Board of Aldermen.
Adaptability is the basis Of the pro-
posed redistricting Of the city. In the
future certain districts will be re- ret
ed for residential, business and indus
trial buildings. To safeguard the
health and happiness Of the people
strict regulations are proposed for the
beights Of buildings and for the yards
and courts necessary to air and ventila-
ton.
The report is signed by Edward NJ
Bassett, chairman Of the commission
Walter Stabler, controller Of the Met
ropolitan Life Insurance Company IS
chairman Of the Manhattan sub-com-
mittee. Robert II. Written, secretary
and George b. Ford, consultant, have
had charge of the expert work IN elao-
Grafton OF the tentative plans. her-
bert 6. Swan has served as investigator,
John p. Fox as transit expert and
George " Tuttle and Edward NJ. Law
as engineers.
City Plan Essential Need.
A summary Of the commissions re
port follows: .-,
"The present almost unrestricted
power TO build 10 any height, over any
norton of the lot, for any desired use
in injury to the health. safety and gen
eral welfare OF the city and to real
estate and business interests. Light,
air and access have been impaired by
high buildings. by failure 10 provide
ADEQUATE courts and yards, by the
proximity of inappropriate or nuisance
buildings and uses. A certain degree
of order and system in building devel-
opment is essential both from the point
Of view Of public health. safety and
welfare and that Of the conservat- on OF
property values.
"The bigger a city grows the more
essential plan becomes: New YORK
City has certainly reached a point
beyond which continued implanted
growth cannot take place without court
ing social and economic disaster II Is
too big a city: the social and economic
interests involved are too great 70 per
nit the continuance of the laissez
fare methods Of earlier days. There
is too much at stake 20 permit mere
habit Of thought as TO private property
rights 10 stand in the way Of p Ian
that is essential TO the city's develop
ment.
Economic Forces Not Enough.
while in New York economic forces
tend 70 the segregation of industries OF
the heavier type along the water and
rail terminals and 20 the concentration
Of certain light industries near the
wholesale, retail. hotel and passenger
terminal centres in Manhattan, there are
many kinds Of light industry that are
free from any segregatlng force and
locate Unfortunately throughout the
city. They are found scattered through
out the business and residential sec
,;ops esrecfaliv tho residential sections
from which their labor supply is re-
cruited. The factory Is a blight n the
residential section. II destroys the
comfort, quiet and convenience Of home
life.
There is nothing more vital 70 the
city than the housing OF its people
There is nothing more essential 20
wholesome and comfortable housing
than the exclusion Of trades and indus
tries from the residential streets
stores, garages and other business
buildings scattered among residences
are 4 constant menace.
1.-THE traffic induced by business
buildings or factories tends 20 make
the streets unsafe places for children
to play. In our crowded tenement dis.
tricts the streets swarm with children.
Ia such a distrc. the usc Of the rect
for play purposes is one OF the most
important pi bic uses that the street
serves.
Problem Of Scent Fare Zone
"A distrieting plan should look 20 the
future and take into consideration tho
types Of development appropriate for
the Increasing intensity Of use required
n