Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-18
CITIZENS ATTACK
zON|NG PROPOSAL
Federation Against Amend
ment Transferring Power
to Commissioners.

The proposed amendment to the zon-
ing regulations which allegedly trans
fers from the Zoning Commission to the
Board of District Commissioners the au-
thority to locate fire engine houses in
residential sections Of the city drew a
sharp and wholly unexpected attack to-
day from the Federation Of Citizens
Associations.
As a result of today's developments at
the public hearing held by the Zoning
Commission on this proposed change
which was believed to have met with
unanimous approval. the entire question
was again thrown open to public con-
troverSy.
Defeat of the amendment appeared
likely In view Of counter proposal SUBJ
mitted by Henry I. Quinn, vice chairman
Of the federation's zon1ng committee
who declared that E. B. Henderson, the
representative of the federation, had ex-
ceeded his authority In agreeing to the
amendment.
Purport Of Amendment.
The amendment before the Zoning
Commission, which had been approved
by a board representing civic ana busl-
ness interests of the District, reads as
follows:
Municipal recreational uses, pumping
stations and fire engine houses may be
erected in any use district, provided
that In the case Of fire engine houses
located in residential districts, public
hearing shall be held by the Commls-
sioners, D. c. Police stations shall be
located only IN commercial or industrial
areas"
Denouncing the amendment as ar
usurpation of the rights Of the public
and the spirit Of the coming regulations
Mr.. Quinn proposed the following
change:
Municipal recreational uses. pump
ing stations and fire engine houses may
be erected in any one district only upon
the unanimous vote of the Zoning Com
mission after a public hearing"
Time to Study Proposal.
AS a result of this counter move, the
Zoning Commission must take the new
proposal under consideration. There
can be no haste in the proceedings be-
cause the law provides that the COM
mission cannot act upon it until hear
ing has been held, with due notice.
The attitude of the Zoning Commis.
sion appeared favorable to- Quinn's pro.
posed change, which drew strong sup
port from numerous persons in attend
ance at the hearing. While none o!
the zone members commented directly
upon it, the belief prevailed that i
opened a wedge for reversal OF tht
previous action taken by the board II
proposing the original amendment.
Quinn prefaced his own amendment
with a few verbal darts directed at thu
Board Of District Commissioners fol
over popular public opinion IN trying
to locate the House of Detention II
residential sections and also in con
nection with the trouble that arose owe
the fire engine house at Sixteenth ans
Webster streets.
Supported In Contention.
He was supported In his contentious
by President George c. Havenner o
the Federation of Citizens Association
and others.
The amendment Quinn declared, wa.
Identical with the amendment previously
condemned by the federation, except
as it eliminates police stations.
Explaining the secrecy that involve:
the purchase of school grounds to keer
prices at a reasonable level, Quinn de-
clared that under the proposed amend
ment to the zoning regulation, tht
District Commissioners would commi
themselves to q proposition In advances
to any public hearing.
"Such a public hearing" he added
would be an idle gesture, absurd anc
useless"
The real effect Of the proposal, HI
said, is to ask that the zoning Com.
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