Evening star., 1924-03-20
zON|NG BODY
Be GIVEN SWEEPING
POWERS IN CAPITAL
Col. Sheriff. Proposes Law
Covering Character and Ap-
pearance of All Buildings.
PROTEST OF CITIZENS
ON APARTMENT HEARD
Massachusetts Avenue Residents
Score Erection of Builidng-See
Drop in Land Value.

! O4OP IL x@0Ao 0AASs
The Zoning Commission should be
given power to regulate the character
and appearance of buildings as well a.
their height and use, Col. Clarence o
Sheriff., officer in charge of public
buildings and grounds, declared at a
public hearing of the commission at
the District building today.
Col. Sheriff.. who is a member of
the commission, was prompted to de-
liver stirring address on the de-
STABILITY Of an orderly development
Of the National Capital by the pro-
tests of residents of Massachusetts,
avenue between Dupont and Sheri-
dan Circles, against the erection of
an eight-story apartment at the cor
ner of 21st street and Massachusetts,
avenue.
City "Htdeous In Many WayA'
Washington is hideous in many
ways. although we call 1t beautiful"
declared Col. Sheriff.. I'VE should
have power to supervise and pass
on the plans of buildings before they
are erected to make sure that nothing
of an unharmonious appearance is
erected in a residential section"
Col. Sheriff. said that every MEM
Der Of the commission was in accord
with the desire of the protesting
property owners on Massachusetts,
avenue to keep out what they regard
as undesirable structures. but he re-
/ minded them that the zoning COM
mission needs more law.
He characterized as Atrocities
some of the buildings that have been
modelled for commercial purposes.
He pointed out that the zoning COM
shall be residential or commercial,
but that the commission cannot go a
step further to regulate the kind of
a store or the type Of home that is
to be built.
Residents Protest.
The application which brought forth
the suggestion of more power for the
zoning commission was that of the
Dupont Circle Citizens Association
to reduce the height limit OF build
ings on Massachusetts avenue. from
Dupont circle to Sheridan circle. from
ninety to sixty feet. Practically all
of the residents Of that avenue. in
Guiding many prominent persons. at
tending the hearing.
1t was indicated by the protestants
erection of an eight-etory apartment
house at 21st street and Massa-
chusetts avenue by a company known
as ''2100 Massachusetts, Avenue"
The delegation was disappointed
to learn from Engineer Commissioner
Bell that under court decisions the
District Commissioners could not re-
fuse to issue a building permit for
an eight-story apartment IL the own
er applies for the building permit
before the height limit is reduced by
the zonfng commission.
When A. H. Ferguson, representing
the company that is to build the
apartment. arose to present his ride
Of the case he stated in answer to
a question that an application to
build under the ninety-foot allow
ance has been in the hands of the
District authorities for three weeks.
Maj. Bell stated that II such be the
fact the Zoning commi sion could
not. even If it reduced the limit
today, interfere with the issuance of
this permit.
Cftisens Voice Views.
Clayton Emig presented the petition
of the property owners on Massachu-
setts avenue asking for the reduction
in height limit. Mrs. Archibald Hop
kins and dozen or more other resi-
dents of the vicinity voiced their
views in support of the reduction.
Charles c. Glover told the commits
sion that in his opinion Massachu-
setts avenue from 18th street to the
District line should be made "a re-
stricted" area, which would prohibit
apartment houses entirely. A num-
Der of other speakers indorsed this
suggestion.
Mr. Ferguson told the gathering
that a new reduction in the height
limit would not prevent apartment
would merely mean that with a sixty
foot restriction four-story apart
ment houses without elevators prob
ably would be built.
Col. Sheriff. also dwelt on this
point and asked the property owners
to consider carefully whether the
proposed reduction in height limit
would really accomplish the end
sought. Maj. Bell suggested that they
confer after the hearing with nth Maj.
mission, as to the advisability of con-
sidering at a late hearing making
Massachusetts, avenue no-apartment
house zone.
Gen. John A. Johnston, former Dis
trict Commissioner, was one Of those
opposing the eight-story apartment
house, pointing out that the value
of land in that vicinity is such that
II the lower ,,,a limit sa.d was applied ,I1 the
high-class apartment houses in order
TO get q fair return.
Before stating his position on this
particular case Gen. Johnston paid a
tribute to the xoning commission, ex-
pressing the belief that-it is attempt
ing to do, it's work conscientiously.
He made special reference to his high
regard for Commissioner Rudolph,
with whom he served on the board Of
commissioners nearly ten years ago.
He characterized Mr.. Rudolph rs
good citizen, always ready to accept