Evening star., 1928-06-09
DEFENDS SETBACK
FOR HIGH BUILDINGS
Lusk Tells Zone Board Height
Win Not Mar Beauty Nor
Cause Congestion.

Severely criticiZing proposals 10 apol-
ish the setback" principle above the
eleventh story in washington office
buildings. in favor of rigid l3o-foot
height limit. Rufus S. Lusk, executive
secretary of the Operative Builders AS
sociation of the District. today denied
to the Zoning Commission that taller
structures will mar the beauty OF the
Capital.
Neither will moderately high office
buildings produce serious traffic conges-
ton or menace the public health he
declared in letter to Capt. H. Z.
Whitehurst, executive officer OF ule
commission. -,
voiced at a recent public hearing at the
District Building. were answered Ill de-
tail hy Mr.. LIsk, on behalf OF the asSo-
citation which he represents. He point,
ed out that much Of the objection raised
tn the plan was based on conditions tnat
exist in New York City whereas, ne oe,
~.cTared. conditions which would preVail
here cannot Justly be compared with
those in the skyscraper cities
Cites FaIIacy.
UNLESS the commission is mindful OF
this constant fallacy which continuaiiy
INNS through the arguments OF the
proponents of this change" the letter
said the decision rendered may De
based on faulty reasoning.
seTau buildings make for concession
IN a certain extent" he said. But IN
washington and IN other cities, too, the
real congestion does not exist in any
thing like the degree where hlgn nulio-
inos are as il does in certain shopping
centers where there are no buildings
over eight stories"
The letter then added:
"On Fifteenth street from Pennsyl-
vania avenue TO K street are IL nlgh
buildings, all eight or more stories. EA-
cept at 4:20 and when KeithS Is start
ing or letting out and on the 4th OF
March every four years, dld any one
ever see a crowd, or anything approas82s
ing crowd on that thoroughfare? MosC
of the time the whole street has
somewhat deserted appearance, yet there
are more high buildings on this street
than any other street In washington
WHY don't we see some congestion?
WHY is r street from Ninth to Four
teenth so crowded the whole DAY
through with only seven buildings OF
eight or more stories? The same Is true
Of G street, Of Seventh street. OF Four
teenth and Park road.
s"The congestion is where the shopping
Is. not where are located the high Office
buildings. One bargain sale will cause
more congestion and traffic tangles than
Q dozen high buildings in single block.
Throughout the downtown area, IL
story buildings can now be erected. An
additional two stories, with the required
sstbacks, would mean a comparatively
few more people in such a building.
1.-TWO More Stories"
IF two additional stories with set
backs are allowed, certainly the workers
In those two stories viii have as much.
II not more. light and air than occu-
pants of an History building without
setbacks. Two additional stories can
have no appreciable effect on the
health Of any worker in Washington
.The congestion and health argu-
ments upon examination viii be seen
70 carry little weight, but whether or
not high buildings detract from the
beauty Of tire city is more important.
Certainly, If they make for an ugly city.
this association does not want them.
Washington's main asset even from 2
straight cut business TieWpptnt, Is its
beauty. The associa1iSlf has e6nsistently
endeavored TO make Washington more
beautiful city, and we know as builders
that We must play large part in help |
ing or flindering the Identification of
this city. VIII this proposed change |
add any to the beauty Of our city? Look
at the recently built Office buildings
with cramped cornice line and
penthouse stuck in one corner and you
have the answer.
THE setback principle above the
eleventh story automatically win pro-
duce symmetrical structure finished
On all sides. 1t win be a balanced build
ing. therefore better looking building
than some now being built.
Aside from the above. It hardly
seems fair 10 change q regulation
existent a year and that has not been
given any sort Of q teet Constant
changes in coming regulations confuse
owners end tend 10 upset values
Give this setback principle chance:
II may produce a commercial structure
that viii be more than just another
Office building; it may tend TO produce
buildings that in design and beauty
will be worthy Of The high ideals Of this
world capital"
m