Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-12-30
Detailed Discussion Of Some Fea-
lures of the Plan

lures OF the Plan
The General Survey:
Each element in the preceding list
should be studied in its rslation to
every other. For the purpose of as
certaining all facts bearing on the
future of the city, a general survey
should be made of existing condi-
tions. This should include an ex-
animation of every building and
structure and every piece of land in
the city, to determine heights and
locations on lots of all buildings; the
materials of which they are on
structed: their age and approximate
value, where necessary; and the uses
to which buildings and l nds are put.
1t is also desirable to know the races,
characteristics and occupations Of
the inhabitants in a general way,
within the various districts. The sur
vey should further include a pro-
gram of tabulation or mapping of
all available data related I physical
aspects of the city; including street
conditions, fences, sidewalks, trees.
poles, wire. sewers, water and gas
lin S and underground coLduits and
also topographic and m ;~teorologic
data.
=. CO 1ection with tra-fit mat
LcIS IL ID hCCCSSdIy dlSo ~ clu0y tA4C
nat-tIe and volume of traffic, the
principal existing arteries and the'-
asequacy, the available traI.- orta-
ton facilities, both passenger and
freight, md the modes of distribu-
ton of food supplies.
Population Distribution
I Re composite map accompanying
his report hows the ap. roxiInate
distribution of population IT, .ough-
out TIL city of Perth AmboJ in 1922.
Each black circle represents rs per-
sons. The most densely populated
area is on both sides of the Penn
sylva1ia Railroad tracks, bounded
approximately by Parker St, Hall
Ave-, Catherine st. and Pulaski st.
The next most densely populated
section is smaller, and is ] lated
near the intersection Of Market Ct.
and Goodwin St.
The population of Perth Amboy
was doubled between 1900 a. 1912.
The maximum rate of growth was
reached about 1899. From lilo to
1920, thu population of the city in
creased at the rate of about a thou
sand persons per year. Unless pro-
gressive policies are adopted, the
city will grow more slowly in the fu-
ture than it has in the past. If such
policies are pursued from now on. it
my be hoped that the growth rate
will be of healthier charact-r and
that the ultimate maximum popu-
lation will be greater than is now
indicated.
Perth Amboy should encourage
the construction of mode-t homes of
better grade than those which now
prevail over wide areas OF the part
T. built-..p portions of the city and
which are mcking their appearance
even in the sparsely settled areas. A
determined effort should be made to
improve certain localities in this re-
spect, so that the constantly in
creasing number of those who are
able to afford attractive homes may
be accommodated within the city
limits. Otherwise they will natural
ly be forced to go to Woodbridge or
even Metuchen and Railway, n
Perth Amboy will thereby lose good
citizens and important tax revenue.
To secure these desirable results,
direct methods may be adopted in
the way of restrictions covering the
use of property, and limiting the
heights, dimensions and r itions OF
buildings on their lots, through the
medium of a coming ordinance; and
the method of indirection may also
be applied through municipal SER
vices and facilities furnished in the
district under consideration.
The principal section in which de-
yelopment of this kind should be
fostered lies west of Amboy ave. and
| north of New Brunswick Ave-. ex-
tending<as far as Alpine Cemetery.
1t is possible to house families of
| the type referred to much more
| densely than at present in the s C.
ton south of Market st. and east of
First ST., but since the plottage is
now largely taken up, the form OF
| future housing there will have to be
principally the two-family unit.
Careful study should be given to
the subject of population growth. 1t
has a direct bearing on the requir-
| ed future ultimate capacities OF ar
ious municipal facilities, and is di-
| rectly related to increasing real
| estate values. In a very vital way,
| the gro. tn of population will af-
| feet the financing of future n
pal projects.
Control of Growth
This element of the proposed City
| Plan suggests, again, early conges-
| ton of a Building Zone Ordinance
| and possibly also a revision OF the
| Building Code, for conserving and In
| creasing the values of properties pr1-
| yately owned. 1t is the present ten
| dency in progressive communities to
| promote a type of constructor
which will decrease fire hazard. This
| eventually cuts down the burden OF
| insurance rates, and in addition
lightens the weight of taxation. Tn
areas within the fire limits of Perth
Amboy are arranged in long mar.
row fingers following the prfnclpa.
developed streets. These strips. pro-
tected by fire regulations, and ex'
tending out into unprotected DIS
| tricts, are almost valueless for the
purpose intended. 1t seems desir,
able TO fix fire limits around centra
and more compact area, as o ex'
ample, that bounded by Washington
ST., High ST., Market St., and the
Central Railroad of New Jersey.
The well-planned construction o.
pavements, sewers water supplies
and gas and electric facilities. at de,
sirable locations, has a beneficial
persuasive effect, IS previously men
toned, in guiding and controlling
the growth of the city. Every mai
wants to live where he can be most
comfortable and be best served.
| Circulation:
The large volume Of motor traf-
fic passing between the shore resorts
and New York City profoundly at
fects Perth Amboy. These cars dc
not stop in Perth Amboy. They are
| an encumbrance when they pass