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

The principal objection among lend
Ing real estate men OF this city against
The zoning ordinance now before Coun-
cils is based IN the extent of the lot
area which may be covered by new
buildings in central business sections.
The zoning ordinances divide the city
into various types Of districts One
type regulates The proportionnte area of
lot which may be built upon. In
central business sections, under that
classification, n lot may be covered for
30 per cent of its area
This restriction is designed to afford
better lighting and yentilating facilities
In the large buildings in the central
area. Property values are enormous m
that area and restriction to 'W ner
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.
former president of the Philadelphia
Real Estate Board and member. of its
advisory committee. Mr.. Cross Is one
Of a special committee of the board
shared 70 study the zoning ordinance,
Cross Admits Some Value
''1'he ordinance is very desirable:
he continued. especially as to the
character. use or occupancy OF thr Nurl =
ons zones. 1t will protect residential
districts and will keep out OF such
neighborhoods public garages ana Ger
tain kinds of business.
''As 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 r.. Mastbaum, chairman Leroy
A. Worrell, Il. A. Heyman, William
c. Benkert. Thomas Shallcross. Jr..
Chester d. Rottner, Mr.. Cross and John
IL. Sinberg.
After hearing yesterday before
Councils survey committee, the pro-
posed ordinance. prepared after two
years study by the coming 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 and have nadt
formal request for hearing botl
before the surveys commi ttee and the
zoning commission. Members of the
Real Estate Board want no ofiicia
action taken on the ordinance until il
has been gone over thoroughly.
Like Bolt From Blue
1t came to US like llghtniug out @
a clear sky" explained William IL
Wilson, president of the board, "anC
we are opposed to any action being
taken without due consideration.
Many of the board members wan
the ordinance to be held over for til,
consideration of the new council.
The zoning ordinance. which covers
forty six typewriter pages of regula
tions, restrictions, definitions and ia
bles would, in brief, create;
First. A definite limit to the height;
Of buildings, according TO location,
Second Restrictions AS to the use o
buildings. according to location.
Third. Restrictions as to the area o
lot that may be covered by build
ing.
Fourth. A division Of coming in tn
bureau of surveys. ..-
Fifth. Penalties for those who evad
or disobey the law.
The first section governs the heigh
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 a lot which may be bull
upon ranges from districts pre- emf
nantly suburban. in which no lot may b.
covered by building for more THAI
30 per cent of its area. down to tn
central business districts, where 30 pc
cent is the proportionate area whlcl
may be built upon.