Evening star., 1929-09-05
.HAzEN ASKS LAW
TO EXTEND PLANS
FOR NEW STREETS
Believes Commission Should
Have Authority to Acquire
Irregular Parcels of Land.
HOLDS CONDEMNATION
WOULD ENTAIL NO LOSS
Advocates Distinctive Treatment
Where Main Highways Cross
District Line.

Designed TO carry out changes under
contemplation in the extension of the
highway plan, M. G. Hazen, District
surveyor, made a recommendation in
his annual report submitted today that
the District Commissioners seek addi-
tional legislative authority to permit
excess condemnation Of land remaining
after opening new streets.
In pointing out that a number of
changes have been made in the highway
plan and more are being considered,
Mr.. Hazen, in his report to the Com
missioners. says in part:
I'm connection with the opening Of
streets in accordance with the highway
plan it frequently develops that parcels
Of land are so cut that the remaining
parcel is of little value, and it is believed
that the Commissioners should have au
thority granted for excess condemna-
ton. This, of course, would require
legislation. Many other Jurisdictions
have such authority. and nowhere would
it be more beneficial than in the Dis
trict where we have definite street
plan.
WOulo Entau NO Loss.
IF excess condemnation is applied in
many Of our street condemnation cases,
the District would suffer no financial
loss by such procedure, as the irregular
remaining parcels could be consolidated
and sold at a substantial profit.
In opening streets. they frequently
are extended through subdivisions made
prior to the adoption of the highway
plan, and the layout often is Irregular
and III shaped, and no private interests
can adjust them to the permanent street
plan. The only sway to correct this,
and make this class of property con-
form to an orderly development in ac-
cordance with the approved street plan,
is for the Commissioners to have the
right Of excess condemnation"
In the development and beautifica-
tion of the National Capital, Mr.. Hazen
believed that portals, or some distinct
i've treatment, should be made where
the main highways cross the District
line, such highways being Sixteenth
street. Massachusetts, avenue, Wisconsin
avenue, Georgia avenue, Rhode Island
avenue, Alabama avenue and Bladens-
burg road.
Public Parking Neglected.
The report also calls attention to the
condition generally of the public park
ing between the building line and the
sidewalk, which is described as lone
eye-sore" in the development of the
street plan. This public parking. the
report states, is frequently neglected by
owners Of abutting property and there
are few things which would beautify
the city more than proper landscap-
ing of this parking"
Thousands Of dollars are spent for
nQrkg uyhila fhA Sfroof rtr
along the public highways is left
totally unkempt," Mr.. Hazen points out.
Hundreds Of examples could be cited
where such a condition exists. Many
of our States beautify the sides of their
State highways. and yet the National
Capital neglectS this important fea-
ture.
TT seems that too much attention is
given to utility and none whatever to
beauty, and it is believed that more en-
phaSiS should be placed on the matter
of Identification of our highways"
There has been a general increase in
the detailed work of the survey depart
ment during the past year as indicated
by the report. In addition there has
been a great amount of work done for
the District and Federal Governments
in connection with important projects
carried out or now under consideration.
Survey Work Increases.
Surveys made in connection with this
work included survey for the enlarge
n1ent of the Capitol grounds, survey OF
the Feeble Minded Home at Laurel,
Md, of various street lines, property
bordering on Canal road and the plats
furnished in connection with the i'm
portant building projects of the Gov
ernment in the triangle south of Penn
Sylvahia avenue.
There has also been an increase in
the amount of subdivision work during
the past year, the report points out.
More subdivisions have been recorded
and many more lots created, resulting
IN greatly increased volume Of work
for the office.
"On account of drainage and grade
matters and the zoning regulations" the
report says, ut Is necessary to make q
thorough study of all plans of pro-
posed subdivisions, and the most care
ful cooperation between the various
departments of the District is essential
before final approval and recording of
any subdivision submitted for record" "
Surveys have been made and recon-
mendations forwarded for the opening
of Maryland avenue northeast and
Foxan road and Prospect street north
WCS1. Az 10 NCAJ AAlpOAb OAAaU tAACoO
extensions be made without delay"
says Mr.. HAGEN.
He points out that these projects are
in line with active development, and
there Is serious danger of improvements
being made In their lines, which would
add tremendously to the cost. or might
even prevent their ultimate extensions
or widening.
The appropriation of $4,000 made in
recent years for condemnation pur-
poses is too small to be of any advan-
tage for the acquisition Of park land,
the report says, but has been advan-
tageous in the purchase Of small par
GELS for the widening of streets and al
leys at sharp turns or intersections. If
this appropriation is not materially in
creased. Mr.. Hazen suggests, it should
be used only for acquiring additional
land for alleys and streets in the fu-
ture.
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