New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-07

ings. It may be that such dwellings
will in the future be considered as un-
desirable and out of date as the old
time dwellings that opened right upon
tho street pavement If so, the pres
ent economy Of space between build
iugs and the exclusion of grass, shrubs
and trees will prove most unfortunate.
II does not seem reasonable that the
more intensive development required
by increasing population should neces-
state sacrifice of all of the ameni-
ties created by trees, grass and small
open space between the dwelling and
the paved street.
The establishment Of setback lines
will serve to supplement in the most
effective way the building zone plan re-
Gently adopted One Of the main pur-
poses of that plan-that of securing
more open space about dwellings-will
DO directly furthcred by the setback
line.
Where Plan Is in Use
"In Washington and in a number OF
the cities and towns of Connecticut and
Massachusetts setback lines are es-
tablished under procedure similar TO
that used in the laying out, opening
and acceptance of streets. In Massa-
chu. etts, Boston has made consider
able use of the setback line, but the
greatest progress has probably been
made by the town Of BrOOkline. As TO
new streets, that town has adopted the
policy of making the establishment of
q setback line condition precedent to
the acceptance of the street by the
town. The setback lines established
vary from five 10 twenty feet, the
average being about ten feet. The town
has also established setback lines on a
considerable number of streets already
opened and improved.
Although the city's present powers
of condemnation and assessment for
street and other purposes are appar-
emily quite broad, some legislation may
be required fully TO carry out set
back like programme. The setback line
procedure should follow in a general
way the present methods as to the lay
ing out, opening and acceptance Of
streets. Setback lines should be laid
down. where appropriate, as part of
the tentative and final maps submitted
bv the borough authorities and ap-
proved by the Board of Estimate and
Apportionment. When the street Is
opened the opening proceeding should
include the establishment of a set
back line. The establishment of the
setback line. as laid out on the city
man. should be condition precedent
TO the acceptance of the street by the
city or to the approval of the map Of
q land subdivision for record. In parts
OF the city where no map has been ap-
proved the acceptance of streets and
the approval of land subdivisions
should be subject to the establishment
of setback lines wherever reasonable
and appropriate.
procedure should also be provided
whereby, in the case of streets already
opened. setback lines may be estab-
ished if needed, and if their estab-
nent is still practicable. The procedure
should make it possible in special cases
TO permit any existing buildings pro-
iectine beyond the setback line to re-
main for fixed period or until sub
stantially altered. removed or de-
gtroyed. This is a very important power
i'm securing an economical application
Of the setback principle. II has proved
useful feature of the English and the
Massachusetts statutes. IL was also in
corporated in the special act Of 1899
establishing a setback line on Clinton
av., Brooklyn"
The committee has referred Mr..
Whitten's report 20 Nelson P. Lewis,
chief engineer, for a more detailed
statement of the economy both to own
ers and to the city that it is expected
will result from the setback plan.