Evening star., 1923-01-13
CITY PLANNING TOPIC
Of MAI. WHEELER'S TALK
Executive Officer of D. c. Zoning
Commission Addresses Y. M.
L. C. A. Glass.

Mai RAYMOND A. Wheeler, exec
utive officer Of the local coming COM
mission, outlined the functions and
operations of city planning and zon-
ing bodies to the real estate class at
The Y. NJ. C. A.
He pointed out that city planning
proceeded in two we'll defined direc-
fions First. the planning of pubic
property, which function is well rec
ogniZed, and. second. the control OF
the development of private property
in SO far as il affects public welfare.
Zoning Il was shown. is term ap-
piled to such control when exercised
in a comprehensive manner as to height,
area and use of buildings.
In Accordance With Plan.
"Zonine regulations generally are
made in accordance with compre-
hensive plan and are designed to les
sen CONGESTION in streets: to secure
safety from fire, panic and dangers;
10 promote health and general vel
fare; to provide adequate light ana
heat. to prevent the oTercrowding OF
land; to avoid undue concentration OF
populations: to facilitate. the adequate
provision for transportation. water
sewerage. schools, parks and other
public requirements" he said
1t is an attempt to provide Tor
orderly growth and expansion of a
city on a we'll considered plan. II
endeavorS to fix place for every
type of private building, and wants
everything in its place. Business is
barred from d residential district and
industrial establishments from the
commercial district. Zoning prevents
blighted areas without zoning few
business or industrial establishments
may blight block after block OF a
residential district which will never
really be needed for business purposes
or have any business value. Central
tzation of business is good for the
business itself. for each establish
ment attracts potential customers for
the others. Zoning prevents conges-
tion by limiting the percentage of a
lot which building may occupy.
Zoning preserves the morals of "A
neighborhood by preventing the entry
of undesirable buildings Zoning re-
auires each owner so to use his prop
erty as not to injure his neighbor's.
Individual Owner PowerIesA-
Without coming an individual owner
is powerless to prevent the destruc-
ton of the value of his property. He
gets protection in exchange for sub
hitting to certain restrictions. Area
regulations are intended to require a
building to provide on its own 10:
light and air space necessary for it
self: and further to provide this space
in such way that 1t is of general
benefit. With uncontrolled building
tie erection Of a new building in a
neighborhood may often mean a net
loss in the aggregate value of build
ings in that neighborhood. but if the
neiEhborhood is planned by Zoning.
each new building fits into the plan
and adds TO the aggregate value often
more than the cost OF the building
itself. Zoning will attract money to
investment in real estate as il tends
TO prevent loss of real estate values
due to blighting OF district or Of an
individual building by erection OF un-
desirable neighboring buildings.
The subject OF building and loan as
sociation will be discussed at the next
meeting OF real estate class by C.
Clinton James.