New Britain herald., 1925-04-16
ZONING HEARINGS
 BEGIN NEXT WEEK
April 2t, &s 2S, Dates for
 Explanation Of Plan
WILL INVOKE "GAG" RULE
Loug Discussions win Re Avoided
 by Provision That No. One May Talk More Than Few Minutes Full Report for Council April 20.

Chairman Thomas Linder, Of the zoning commission and Chairman David L. Nair of the common coun- ell committee on ordinances con- ferred today on the matter of public hearings on proposed zoning restric- lions, and the dates April 2i, A and 2S were decided upon for the public forums.
 The hearings will be held in the common council chamber at meet ings Of the ordinance committee. The zoning commissioners will be asked to attend and assist Chairman Iinder in explaining the restrictions and the reasons therefore.
 Restrictions recommended for the first and third wards will be explain ed at the opening meeting, April 21. These two wards were groTped be- cause conditions are somewhat sim liar in the two zones. On April 24, the second and fourth wards, which are also similarly zoned. will be talk en up, the restrictions explained and objections noted. The fifth and sixth wards, made up mainly of multiple houses, will be considered at the meeting on April 2S.
 May Limit Time for Speaking.
 To permit of thorough discus sion without bringing the meeting too late into the evening, the hear ings will begin promptly at 7:3O o'clock, The restrictions on every street will be explained in detail and 8 general description of the entire zoning plan given. Thise who wish to be heard will be required to sub init their names, addresses and a statement as to the location of their property. since only taxpayers or fheir accredited agents may speak. To avoid the possibility of some per- son or persons encroaching upon the rights of others to be heard by long discussion of zoning, a gag rule" Is being considered. Two or three minutes will be allotted for state ment of the taxpayers grievance and he will not be heard again until all who wish to speak have spoken.
 It has been noted that at many of the city gatherings in the past which have taken the form of pub lie forums the same persons in Variably speak. and at length, usu- ally bringing in great deal of matter that does not touch directly upon the subjects under discussion.
 The public hearings will deal only in the restrictions in the wards un- der consideration, or the advtsabil- ity of making changes. Discussion of other matter. such as the wisdom of zoning, will be laid over to later date.
 So that none of the objections may be overlooked when the ordi- nance committee meets to consider it's report to the common council, arrangements will be made to have a stenographer present to take a complete report of the proceedings.
 All Taxpayers May Speak
 It was suggested to the commit tee that none but taxpayers in the wards under consideration be al- lowed to speak on restrictions, but since the zoning plan is of, city-wide interest and the future development of the city is concerned, it was de- cided that all taxpayers should be eligible to speak on all restrictions.
 The public hearings are being held in anticipation of favorable action by the legislature on the 2oning enabling law which is now before that body and which will give the City of New Britain power to lay out zones and determine the types and uses of all buildings In the city.
 The maps have been prepared and are ready for adoption by the com mon council when the zoning ordi- nance is completed, A complete report will be ready for a special meeting of the common council April %.