The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-11-09
TO IMPROVE CITY
Planning Board of Nine Mem
bers Is Considered.
Study and Plan Future Develop
ment of Topeka.
APPOINT COMMISSION SOON
Location of Public Buildings
One of the New Problems.
Board Also Would Control
Traffic and Widen Streets.
APPOINT COMMISSION SOON

Traffic and Widen Streets.
A plan for rapid civic development
and improvement of Topeka was out
lined this morning at the city commits
sion meeting. The plan is in the form
OF an ordinance creating a city plan
ming board of nine citizens, who prob
ably would work with the mayor and
certain of the commissioners in sug-
gesting needed remodeling and study
ing new and advantageous civic prof.
ects. The ordinance will appear for
second reading and voting at the meet
ing next week, and undoubtedly will
be passed.
THE city planning board is the big
gest thing before Topeka today"
Mayor Corwine said. following the
meeting. Nothing more important
has been considered since Topeka was
established Not only do we expect to
accomplish a good deal of needed re-
modelling in Topeka, but with the aid
of the planning board will try to put
over legislation for first class cities
that will enable US to take develop
ment steps that are impossible now"
Mayor Corwine and Commissioner
Robert D. McGiffert were sponsors
for the ordinance and have had the
planning board under contemplation
for some time.
Topeka will take a big step in de-
veloping and beautifying the city with
the planning board" McGiffert said
The nine members of the proposed
board may be chosen at the next COM
mission meeting. According to the
ordinance three of the members would
1922, three of them until Jan. l, 1923,
and three until Jan. 1, 1924, after
which all terms of members shall. be
three years each, or until their sue
cessorS are appointed. None shall hold
city, county or state office, or shall
receive any pay for serving on the
board.
Prepare the Plans.
Such a planning board, according to
the ordinance under consideration,
shall study physical conditions with
a view to their improvement; shall
prepare comprehensive plans for the
future development and growth OF the
city of Topeka
Other cities in the country have
benefited remarkably from the estab-
llishment of such board and the adop-
ton of the ordinance would mean
much for the future of the city. With
Ia city eplanning board Topeka would
be joining in progressive steps with
Chicago. Cleveland, Washington, D. c.,
Dallas. st. Paul, Minneapolis, Oakland,
berkeley, Denver, Kansas City and
many others
The nine citizen members of the city
planning board would be chosen for
special knowledge of finance, COM
merce. industry, transportation. archi-
ltecture, landscape architecture. real
estate, engineering, building, painting,
sculpture, social welfare, civic admin
istration and law" according to sec
ton of the proposed ordinance. None
of the members shall hold any salaried
state. county or city office
"City planning is more than merely
laying out a park and boulevard sys-
| tenn. 1t includes a great deal more.
Some of the things that a city plan
ming board would do for the develop
ment of Topeka would be about as
follows:
Location, extension and improve
ment of streets and trafficways. A
system of widening and opening vari-
Gus thru streets so as to relieve traffic
congestion and render the city more
! cohesive.
| The supervision and regula ton of
the plating and opening of sub-divi-
sions.
Matters of transit and transporta-
| ton.
Parks. boulevards. Fairgrounds,
| community centers, ana other recrea-
/ ton Developments
Location and arrangement of public
buildings.
/ Matters of housing and the regula-
ton of height. area and use OF build
| ings.
| Districting and zoning the city as to
use to which property may be put.
Location of a union station, if such
station is found advisable and prac-
| tical-and surroundings
| Improvement of the river front and
! flood protection. Bridges and viaducts
Encouragement of the location of in
dustrial establishments in designated
| districts.
| Such other improvements as will be
for the betterment of Topeka.
To recommend such state and
| municipal legislation as may be neces-
sary to carry out the plans of the com
mission.
The city planning board would not
| limit or usUrp the power of any COM
| missioner. It would rather extend the
possi bilities of the departments of city
government presided over by commits
sioners The definite powers of such
a board will be worked out in the COM
m 'ssion meeting. if the esta blishmeni
of the board is deemed advisa BILE.