The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-03-30
ON coming
FOR BIRMINGHAM
..IRGEDBYSTARKE
Too Much Space In City
To Allow Crowding,
Is Explained

'The Birmingham Real Estate board
is naturally quite interested in the
proposed zoning ordinance to be worked
out by the city commission. 1t is
nothing but simple Justice to say that
the Real Estate board. after full dis
cussion over a long period of time.
finally decided to put up the money
necessary to have drawn up and pre-.
scented to the state legislature an en-
abling act that would empower the
cit commission to adopt such an oryfi-
nance as is now contemplated under
the authority of the act as passed by
successful issue is largely due to the
err, A. r. Dearborn and J. K. Brock
man..
Sucliewas the statement made by
Sam g. Starke, secretary OF the Real
Estate board, Saturday, in discussing
the city planning project. Mr.. Starke
continued as follows:
"This whole proposition of city
planning and coming Is compare
lively new Development in American
cities and requires the utmost care in
order to accomplish the greatest Nsery-
ice to the whole city and at the same
tile avoid too great a hardship in
particular circumstances, where strict
application of general rule would
work serious injustice. This is espe-
cially true in the case of an old, es-
tablished city which has been allowed
to develop along the lines of least
resistance and without any plan for
the future welfare and convenience of
its increased population. Even Bir-
minghain, young and modern, as it is,
requires at this time the study Of ex-
perts before any adequate zoning regu-
lations can be inaugurated.
Zoning Adopted
"Zoning legislation has been adopt
ed in q states and the District of
Columbia, and 116 cities in the coun-
try now have coming regulations Of
more or less comprehensive nature.
Thus it, appears that the advantages
OF city planning and zoning are suf-
ficiently great to overcome the diff
culties that must inevitably be met.
1T would seem entirely reasonable
for the city commission to appoint at
least temporary zoning board to
work with one or more experts in franz
ing coming ordinance, which, after
very full discussion and possible
amendment, might then be adopted for
the city. 1t may further be found nee
essary, after the adoption of an ordi-
nance, to appoint permanent coming
board to hear complaints, petitions, and
suggestions naturally arising under the
application of the ordinance and to
make recommendations in regard
thereto for final action by. the city
commission itself. Without some such
board, 1t is quite possible that the
time OF the city commission would be
too largely absorbed in coming ques-
tons. And right here 1T is wen
to remember that coming and city
planning look to the future and to the
orderly and consistent development Of
cities 1t would be a radical mistake
to try to do all atzonce. A compre-
hensiye plan must be devised and
there must be a gradual working out
of this plan, great care being taken
that, any regulations put into effect
at this time shall be consistent with
the best. interests of the Birmingham
of the. future. 3
Creation OF Districts
1t is of the utmost importance that
the citizens of Birmingham should IN
derstand that coming is the creation
by law of districts in which regula-
tons, differing in different districts,
prohibit injurious or unsuitable strue-
lures and uses of structures and land
This definition covers broad field.
limited only by the breadth of the
enabling act and whatever ordinance
the city commission may adopt, con-
sistent Herewith. The, whole propo-
sition practically comes under the