New Britain herald., 1928-06-11
zON|NG LAW MUST
 RE ALTERED AGAIN
Exceptions Necessary to Permit
 New Church Buildings

lav must be granted before 'hs s4oo. 900 group of parish buildings may be erected by the First Consre- rational church society at West Main and Lexington streets ! This declaration was made fhlS ,t,erroon bv Clerk Thomas Llnder ot the board Of adjustment. folloV- ing examination of the plans ana mans s1bnltted for approval oetore work IS gotten under way, In all raator points. the buildings mee' fhs zone law requirements MT. Llhc-r says. but the topography Of the ana has occasloned some conflict "lth set backs.
 The apple for approval of the plans. reads: .rhe First Church of Christ eA- r.rts to sell its property n the cen ter of the city and erect new church and accessory buildings on land which It owns at the corner or West Main and Lexington streets
 The building committee. when has been entrusted with the prepaf- at,on of the plans, has reached point in it's work where further proeress requires lt to know that Ns plans as croiected have the approVal of your board, The building con- nn,ttee wants to feel secure at later date against finding its plans at variance with the city zonlne cto'- nances with the attendant loss o1 time and money which such a dis agreement would involve
 "The nro,ect is a slzeahle one. for zroup of buildings that will cost about $4oo.noo. Up to the present time a substantial amount has neen snent on the preparation of prellml- nary plans, elevations and perspec- t,ves. These preliminary plans clear 1v set forth any particulars which might be at variance with the zon- ing ordinances. Such Of these plans as are of interest are suhmrted herewith and constitute part Of thls petition. The next step for the building committee Is to authorize it's architect to prepare "orklng drawings and specifications 1his involves commitment of ten to Inf teen thousand dollars which the church CdnhOt tIEd5c 'o bo certainty as to it's position
 "The building committee is frank ly unable to say in what respects, if any. the plans as submitted are at variance with a literal lnterpre- tation of the zoning ordinances. The problem Is complicated primarily by the irregular shape of the plot but also by the fact that It falls within two zones. residence c and residence A. Approach to the problem IS choice among several alternatives. Should we regard West Main street or Lexington street 8 S the front Of the lot Should we regard the church as the main building with the other structures as accessory therefor Such restrictions as the ordinances prescribe in these zones have in mind primarily residential construction and are not too we'll suited to group of church build inss, notvithsta ndlng specific provl- sion for church property in these zones.
 The building committee wishes to call the attention of the board 10 the following consideration: That the buildings as planned occupy only about 43 per cent of the area. of the nroperty: that the most valuable portion of the land has been de- voted to open space to become In sense a beautiful and slightly small park; and that the group of build lnSs is notably more pleasing and credltahle to the community than an apartment building erected on this plot in the strictest conformity with the zonlnE ordinances,
 The board is required by the zonlns ordinances to make no eN- ception without due consideration to conserving the public health. safety and welfare and property values Your petitioners think that each of these considerations IS not only con served but is enhanced by their plans.
 The board is empowered 10 au- thorize variance from the terms of the zoning ordinances. if not con trary to the public interest, where owing to special considerations a literal enforcement of the provl' slons Of the ordinance will result Tn unnecessary hardship. SO that the spirit Of the ordinance shall he ob- served and substsntlaal justice done
 The plan presented is the result of wears study by various commit tees Of the church in Consultatlor with experts m church planning and arrange ement. II is the !" ork Of ar architect of well recognized stand ing and at'hty. IT the board find; the plans at variance "ith the zon- ing ordinance 'n any particular the cause may be traced 10 the shape conf suratlon or topoEra phy of the plot
 Your pettIoners sreclhcallN ass arproval bv vour hoard of the loca- ton as ehoe-n on the prints submit ted hereuith ot 3 church and ac ceesorv t1nldlng- on tter rrouertE at the corner Of West Nam and Lex Ington streets
 T F -TAtttY
 -Cha1rmar