The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-03-20
AUTHORIZE
STACKING,
SHERRlL
SAYS
Massachusetts Avenue Resi-.
dents Told Commissions
Power is Too Limited.

Washington is not a beautiful
city; it is hideous in many parts
and, unless authority is given the
District Commissioners or the
Zoning Commission to regulate
the character of buildings to be
erected here, the beauty Of the
city will be absolutely ruined"
Lieut.. Col. C. o. Sheriff., men,
Der of the Zoning Commission,
made this statement today in q
public hearing in the board room
of the District building.
Height Limit Attacked.
The audience comprised a group
of some thirty men and women who
live on Massachusetts avenue. They
attended the hearing to urge the
commission to reduce the height
limit on Massachusetts avenue
northwest, between Dupont and
Sheridan circles, from ninety to
sixty feet. They sought to prevent
erection Of apartments on this
avenue.
THE commission is interested in
preserving the beauty of Washing
ton," Colonel Sheriff. said, but
there seems to be some misappre-
hension about the powers Of the
commission. The commission can
not regulate the type of buildings to
be erected.
The Commission would like to
nave authority to maintain the
looks OF the city and protect those
sections which are beautiful and
DO credit to the National Capital.
What we need here is \ law giving
the Commission power to regulate
the character of buildings. In this
way, the Commission would be able
TO pass on plans VI all architects
and see that the city is developed
In the proper manner and that the
city's beauty is protected ano ex
tended. We should have law
allowing us to 1esi gnate Just what
type of buildings should SO erected.
Some people say Washington Is
beautiful. But it is not, for I have
found it hideous in many parts.
Apartments Are Fought.
The residents of Massachusetts,
avenue, leaders in Washington so.
ciety, are seeking to prevent the
erection of apartments on this
avenue. and particularly at Twenty
rlrst and Massachusetts avenue,
vigorous protests against apart.
menIs on this street were lodged
by Gen. John A. Johnston, former
District Commissioner; Mrs. Archi-
bald Hopkins, Mrs. Larz Anderson,
Mrs. Julia Strong, Capt. Clayton
Emlg, and nearly score others.
The women pointed out that the
proposed erection Of an eight story
apartment at Twenty-first and Mas
Sacnusetts avenue northwest would
bring undesirable people into the
neighborhood. They also complained
that the 144 apartments in the new
apartment building would house peo.
pie who would have battered auto
mobiles to park on Massachusetts
avenue, thus affecting the beauty
Of the street.
The hearing ended with suRges.
tons that residents Of this avenue
get together and apply to the Com
mission to make Massachusetts ave-
nue., from Fourteenth street to the
District line, an area In which
apartments would be restricted.
Major J. Franklin Bell, Engineer
Commissioner and chairman OF the
coming Commission, spoke briefly
to the gathering
No Authority Over Permits.
IT want to make it clear that
the Zoning Commission has nothing
to do with the issuing Of permits"
he said. "This commission can
only change the Eoning regulations.
The building inspector issues per-
mits with the approval Of the Dis
tr1ot Commissioners. The building
inspector cannot refuse to issue a
permit when the applicants re.
quest complies with all coming and
building regulations.
I'VE have refused permits several
times and have always lost out In
the case. Such Is the case now.
We cannot refuse permit to erect
an apartment on Massachusetts, ave.
nue. at this time and under existing
regulations"