Evening journal., 1922-12-28
SAYS zONING
IS FAVORED
Councilman Abrahams Says
No One Is Directing
to Idea
EXPLAINS WHAT
is TO BE DONE

think coming will become elective.
said City Councilman Alexander II
Abrahams, chairman OF the zonin
committee. in discussing the pros
pect OF having the bill and ordinance
passed. AS 10 many people the zon
ing proposition Is not quite clear. Mr.
Abrahams entered into a detaile,
explanation OF what is planned il
Wilmington in the near future 10
the preservation OF strictly reslden
tial neighborhoods from the en-
oroachment of Objectionable factor,
buildings. as follows:
"zoning is a system Of reasonable
regulations designed to reduce con-
gestion. promote health. safeguard
property values. reduce the dangers
OF ordinary living introduce order
liness into the development and
growth of the city and contribute
to better citizenship. Il regulates
by three classes Of districts; height
OF buildings. the use of property and
the intensity of the use of property"
while Of necessity a regulation,
II Is actually a protection 10 every
one living in or carrying on busi-
ness or industrial operations in the
community. II is not revolutionary
in it's provisions because II takes
the city as II finds II and develops
districts to meet existing conditions.
At the same time coming Is not only
designed for the present. but for
the future OF this rapidly growing
city. Districts are made OF suffi-
oient size TO provide for the expaH-
sion necessary TO the greater city
10 come. In the undevelOpel sec
tlons, coming guides the growth
along intelligent lines. Tho hap
hazard growth of the past IL check
ed so far as IL is possible, and un-
intelligent development Is prevented
in the future.
"Zoning curbs the tendency to
crowd too many families or a single
lot; II halls the tendency 70 6iere-
gard the living conditions OF the
future occupants n order that a
greater return may De secured by
present owners. Crowdlng forces
children to play IN the streets. pro-
noting the liability Of accidents.
Increasing congestion acceiera;es
traffic difficulties. Limiting conges-
tion makes possible the preparation
of thoroughfare plans which will
meet the needs Of the future city.
Where the number OF families on
a given area IS limited. II is possible
20 plan sewerage and water sys-
TENS. telephone. gas and electric
services TO meet the needs of that
area. The necessity OF rebuilding
these facilities to take care Of a
greater population than was expect
ed will not be presented. The ad
vantage in an intelligent planning
of facilities will be reflected in lower
taxes and rents.
1T is generally conceded that
light and air contribute largely to
good health. Yet the tendency Of
unregulated city growth is towards
a reduction OF light and air. This
Is not only true in residential districts
but in Offices and factories. There |
are homes in Wilmington so blanket /
ed by neighboring buildings that sun /
light never enters the side windows. I
Overcrowded apartment houses limit /
light and air almost TO a minimum I
required for health. In some sec /
tions OF the city housing conditions /
exist which are not matters OF pride. /
Crowding buildings too closely to- /
gether Is detrimental to health. for
the preservation OF which coming I
offers definite safeguards"
"zoning provides for side, rear and .
front yards in all residential dis
trlcts. The minimum side yard IS 4
four feet so that houses and apart
ments cannot be built closer to each 1
other than eight feet. When It is
In operation, new construction will
permit light and air to reach al
parts OF houses and apartments"
Moreover, one owner can pro-
vide reasonable side yards with the
assurance that his neighbOr will do
likewise. Front yards must be pro-
vided equal TO established front yards
in the block. II in an unbuilt-up
area, houses must be set back a dis
tance equal to 20 per cent OF the
average depth of the lots in the
block. This will provide for ample
light and air In the street and will
prevent the erection OF apartment
houses or stores beyond the setback
line"
what will happen next door. Most
property owners now suffer from this
anxiety which certainly is not con-
ducive to the best mental health.
Zoning sets definite limits for busi-
ness. industry, apartment houses and
dwelling houses. A home owner will
know what his neighbor can build
and need not fear the encroachment
of business industry or apartments. /
Likewise the apartment owner will
not be afraid of a factory coming
into his nelghborhood and either
emptying his building or reducing ]
his rentals"
Four illustrations OF the need of
coming:
1. A citizen buys a home for his
family in a newly developed residence
He and his nelghbors
plant trees. and shrubs and make
the section a quiet and attractive
home neighborhood. Then the ad-
Joining house changes hands and |
the new owner. thinking only of his
own immediate advantage, builds
small grocery store projecting to
the sidewalk line and surrounds II
with a litter Of boxes and barrels.
Our citizens who has invested his
entire savings. $4,000, in his home has
given a first mortgage lien for the
remainder of the purchase price. |
would like to move away. but finds
that it will now bring him but half
he amount he paid for it and his
entire savings. $500 have been lost.
He is forced to remain where he is.