New-York tribune., 1920-05-02
Where Zoning g Law
Allows Building
Of Public Garages
Amendment Rules Against
Their Erection in Unre-
stricted Sections Where
hOols Are Located
EDWARD Nj. BASSETT
Secretary Zoning Committee

secretary ZOnlng committee
The complaint is occasionally made
that the zoning law prevents public ga
RACES IN almost every part of the city
wnere they ought to go. The truth
is that probably every one-half mile
square in all of greater New York
has several spots in it where garages
can be placed. The zoning map
OF the city shows lapge areas of un-
restricted land, especially near rail-
rta"s, waterfronts, existing factories.
warehouses and coal yards In addi-
ton to this, small unrestricted dis
trlcts were placed in proper spots
throughout the entire city for the spe-
cial purpose Of allowing new garages
to be built near the residential and
business districts Of the city.
The Issuing of Permits
The Building Department of every
borough will issue permits as a mat
.er OF course for garages placed in
unrestricted districts. 1t is evident
that garages should not be allowed TO
go everywhere they wish on retail
business streets. In many parts of
the city, especially the outlying dis
tricts, there are hundreds of examples
Of where bright retail business blocks
have been almost ruined by the advent
of one or two garages before the zoning
system went into effect.
The city in passing the zoning law
recognized that it is sometimes de-
slrable to allow garages in business
blocks, and to this end the Board of
that in any block where there is al
ready a public garage or public stable
the Board of Appears has the power to
allow new garage. The regular
method of procedure is for the pro-
posed garage owner to submit his plan
to the Building Department.
Building in Business Districts
The Building Department notes that
the locality is a business district and
the owner is thereupon free to take all
the papers to the Board of Appeals.
The Board Of Appeals then puts the
case on its calendar and fixes time
TOR hearing, notice of which is eiven
70 the surrounding property owners
II 1T appears to the Board of Ap-
peals tnat there is another public
garage or public stable in the same
block and that there will not be sub
stantial injury to the surrounding
property If new garage Is allowed,
then the permit is issued.
lhls method tends to segregate gar
ages IN parts of business streets where
they DO the least harm. 1t must be re-
membered in this connection that the
coming maps show many streets as
BUSINESS streets which are lined with
a falr proportion of residences. This
IS especially the case along surface car
streets
Garages in Residential Sections
1t is not generally known that nuhlic
garages can be built under certain cir
cumstances in residential districts
inns can only take place. however.
%here the surrounding owners Of resi-
oental property are practically unani-
nous IN favor of allowing the public
garage. 1t was recognized by the
BOARD or Estimate when the law was
passed that some residential districts
fnisns desire nearby public garage
III .ne convenience Of its people.
1he law provides that in such cass
the owner Of the land on which ~
proposed garage is to be erected NAV
apply TO the Board of Appeals asking
the board to lay out an area which
w wlll oe affected by. the new garage.
ms ms IS usually an area of about two
plocks or parts of blocks. Then 10 az
per cent of the frontage in such area
consents in writing to the new oarasa
the Board Of Appeals has powen to ss "
yes or no on the question.
Law Makes Better Building
lhis provision is q wise one becansa
II makes 1t possible for public garages
OF good design and in the right snot
70 De built in residential districts in
stead OF changing the maps bv mal;n.
an unrestricted district. If an ms
Str!cten district were created simnlv to