Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-06-08
PROGRESS OF THE CITY PLAN IDEA

more evidence that here IN Perth Amboy the purpose u a
city plan is being better understood and sentiment in its
favor is growing.
In Chicago, where city planning has been worked out
more extensively than in any large city, the second big lay
out of the proposed coming plan has been announced. Forty
four persons are working to get the coming ordinance ready
to be passed upon in the fall. This layout" according to
the statement, comprises the north section of the city,
largely residential, and is submitted for public inspection
and criticism before it is Incorporated in the completed zon-
ing ordinance.
The first layout, submitted two weeks ago, took in the
entire south section, largely industrial. 1t has since been
under the scrutiny of property owners in that section, chief
among whom have been the heads of large industrial plants,
, who are quite generally giving their approval to the coming
proiect. now that they have seen how it is being worked out
H. It. Frost, who is the chief of staff of the Chicago
Zoning Commission, observed that factory owners hd no!
been enthusiastic about zoning because they were under tn
impression that their future expansion programs might De
curtailed by the proposal. However, when it had been SHOWN
in the coming of the factory district that large tracts, many
times the size of those now in use, had been set ASIDE ior'
future development, general approval was given the idea.
"We do not wish to limit the expansion OF our factor
les" Mr.. Frost stated. ample provision has been made Tor
gigantic industrial growth The north residential secuoh
is expected to meet with general approval.
,m. The technical staff of the zoning commission has di-
SgAhrerb the CITY into areas and is submitting each distric:
complete. When the coming of the entire city has been
completed by the staff, the public will be asked for its opin-
ion; then the prOpOSllOn VIII De put up u ~ CouiiCh III "
proposed ordinance, expected to be ready this fall.
Other cities in Illinois are following Chicagos example
in this matter of city coming. In Evanston, according TO a
statement by Frank S. Anderson, secretary OF the Evanston
Zoning Commission, city zoning has stabilized property val
ues and the people of that city, realizing this, are sohdly
behind the coming ordinance which was passed about a year
and a half ago.
exhaustion on three sides by the boundaries of two other
cities and by Lake Michigan. This means that it must ul-
lie its back yard or west side district for future growth.
This is the site of Northwestern University and the dlstrlc'
has many handsome homes, wide avenues and spacious
lawns.
lily planners, by the use of the coming ordinance, have
endeavored to protect these features, Mr.. Anderson says.
Three park projects are being promoted, one of more than
200 acres. A boulevard $50 feet wide and two miles long
is another. A high school to cost 81, 900, 900 is under con-
struction, all part of a definite project. And Evanston is 1
city with a population of 1924, according to the census
of 1920.
Evanston is one of twelve cities in Illinois which al
ready have adopted coming ordinances. Six others intend 10
do so in the near future, it is reported.
Irving B. Hiett. president of the National Association of
Real Estate boards, declares that city zoning and city plan
ming commissions are needed in every city in the United
States. and explains with clearness and conclseness just
what that would mean.
"The city zoning plan,' he says, provides for the Sc
greration of the business and residential sections OF q city,
so that the residential district may be restricted to homes
This generally is done in such a way that a certain per
centsge of the residents may, If the occasion arises agree
10 a business being undertaken in the district.
"The plan also provides for the systematic beautlica-
finn of the city, its streets, parks, boulevards and all places
Of beauty, as we'll as the grouping OF buildings.
at never is retroactive, as some people have feared
and no established business may be driven from us locauon
because Of the operation of the plan"
Is there anyone in Perth Amboy who does not want this
kind Of wise planning and foresight instead of the irregular,
unsystemaiic and wasteful way in which the city ordinarily
develops?
THE time for real retrenchment has come for Perth
Amboy. The tax rate, already more than a great many can
stand. promises to be higher next year. In order that the
citv NAV economic to the limit and yet continue to progress.
would it not be a good idea to cut all appropriations to the
hone next year, eliminate all appropriations for new wort:
and merely give the City Plan Commission the funds neces
ary to proceed with a definite city plan for future opera
| ions2 In this way the city would take a holiday for a year
! Turing which il could catch up with its finances and when It
| was ready TO proceed il would be along definite and com
>orehepzixe Ines Y