New Britain herald., 1924-09-06
CURB ON BUILDING
 IN HOME DISTRICTS
Ordinance Committee Drafts
 Law to Protect Residences

The building commission may have power to withhold permits to build in residential districts If. in the opinion of the commission, such buildings would cause d deprecia- ton Of property in those districts, A change in tho building ordinances was drafted by the ordinance com mittee at meeting last night. The change was recommended by Cor pOration Counsel John Il, kirkham, who cited instances in this city where the erection Of certain struc- lures had tended to depreciate ad- joining property
 He said that 1T something Is not done 10 regulate building in the resi- dcntial districts, property will de- prcciate in these sections. He said that the zoning ordinances, effective after au enabling act Is passed in the next legislature, will regulate building, but something must be done to tide the city over until that time. He was of the opinion that if something is not done there will be slump in the grand list and a cutting off of a certain amount of revenue to the city,
 There was considerable discussion as to whether this change in the or dmance would give the building commission too much power and up on recommendation of Chairman David L. Nair, a clause was inserted whereby appeal may be taken from the decision of the commission to the common council.
 This recommendation will come up for action in the council at the next regular meeting on September r.
 A recommendation was passed, to be presented at the special meeting of the council on Monday night, re- garding a change in the ordinance which has to do with service stations and garages. It was recommended that the ordinance be changed in such a way as to prohibit such buildings within 200 feet of church. ee, libraries, public schools and or phanages if they are on the same side of the street, and within 100 feet if they are on opposite sies. The present ordinance prohibits the erection of filling stations, gar ages or service stations within 200 feet of churches and schools, but the Standard oil company had al- ready made plans to build a station at the corner of Pearl street and Franklin square, within 200 feet ot church, before the present ordin- ance was enacted.
 The members of the committee felt that the company would have a first claim against the city If 1t were not allowed to go ahead with the building.
 It was suggested that the ordi- nance be suspended fn the case of the Standard Oil company, but l Chairman Nair immediately objected to such a procedure on the grounds that If the ordinance were suspend ed for one, others would feel thai they had right to ask for suspen' sion, The company will be able tc go ahead with its building If the rec, ommendation of the committee goes through.
 An ordinance to prohibit the prac- tice of phrenology in this city was suggested by Chairman Nair He said that gypsies come to town and fleece people by this practice and he fell that stop should be put to 1t. Cor poration Counsel kirkham brought up the argument that if an ordinance were passed aimed at phrenology these people would practice under z different name. He agreed to draw up a recommendation which vii
 cover the matter.