Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-12-03
FIGHT CITY zON|NG
ON BUILDING LIMIT
Real Estate Men Oppose Com
pelIing 10 Per Cent Open
Area on Every Lot
SEE LOSS OF FLOOR SPACE

The principal objection among lead
Ing real estate men OF this city against
thc coming ordinance now before Coun-
cils is based On the extent Of the lot
area which may be covered by new
buildings in central business sections.
The coming ordinances divide the city
into various types of districts. Ono
type regulates the proportionate area OF
lot which may be built upon In
central business sections, under that
classification. q lot may be covered for
30 per cent Of its area.
This restriction is designed to afford
better lighting and voutilating fncilitics
in the large buildings in the central
area. Property values are enormous IN
that area aud q restriction TO !W per
cent. il is said, would materially affect
the floor space Of new buildings.
''The zoning ordinance TO an extent
Is very desirable. said Edgar g. Cross.
a former president Of the Philadelphia
Real Estntc Board and a member of its
advisory committee Mr.. Cross is Que
of special committee of tho board
named to study the zoning ordinance.
Cross Admits Some Value
''The ordinance Is very desirable,
he continued. especially as TO tho
character. use or occupancy Of tho vari
Gus zones. II will protect residential
districts and will keep out OF such
neighborhoods public garages and rcr
tain kinds Of business.
LAS to the central business sections.
] believe the limit Of the area for build
ing should be expanded" "
The boards special committee which
is studying the ordinance consists OF
Jules f. Mastbaum, chairman LEROY
A. Worrcll, II. A. Hoymon. William
G.. Benkert Thomas Shallcross. Jr..
Chester n. Rottner. Mr.. Cross and John
H. Sinberg.
After herring yesterday before
Councils survey committee, the pro-
posed ordinance, prepared after two
wears study by the zoning commission,
was referred TO City Solicitor Connolly.
His opinion is sought as TO its legal
phases.
The real estate men desire public
hearing on the zone plan aud have made
formal request for a hearing both
before the surveys committee aud the
zoning commission. Members Of the
Real Estate Board want no oflicin
action taken on the ordinance until II
has been gone over thoroughly.
Like Bolt From Blue
1T came To us like lightning out 0l
n clear sky" explained William II
Wilson, president of the board, "nnd
we are opposed to any action being
taken without due consideration.
Many of the board members want
the ordinance to be held over for the
consideration of tho new council.
The zoning ordinance, which covers
torty-si typewriter pages Of reguIa
tions, restrictions, definitions and Ia
bles would, in brief, create:
First A definite limit to the heights
of buildings, according Ia location.
Second. Restrictions as to the use of
buildings. according TO location.
Third Restrictions as to the area OF
lot that may be covered by build
ing.
Fourth A division of zoning in thu
bureau of surveys.
Fifth Penalties for those who cvadt
or disobey the law.
The first section governs the height
of buildings Under it this city is di.
vided into five zones. The height o
each new building is to be determined
by the width of the street.
The classification as to the proper
tionate area Of lot which may be built
upon ranges from districts pre- -emi
nently suburban in which no lot may bt
covered by n building for moro than
20 per cent Of it's urea, down to tho
central business districts. where 30 pei
cent is the proportionate area when
may be built upon.