Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-30
PROPOSED ZON|NG
CHANGES PLACED
WITH COMMISSION
Builders Group Seeks Re-
moval of Rule Restricting
Apartment Garages.
PROPERTY OWNERS TELL
OPPOSITION TO FACTORY
Five Petitions for Alterations in
Code Heard at Executive
Session of Body.

The Zoning Commission in eXecu-
tive session this afternoon, following a
hearing of five proposed changes In
coming clasSifications, was to consider
granting public hearing on the pro-
posal of the Operative Builders AS
ISOLATION that garages for tenants only
may be permitted in apartment houses
without the present necessity of obtain
ing consents from adjoining property
owners.
It was learned today that the execu-
tive Office of the commission has pre-
pared a tentative draft OF Such an
amendment to the coming code, which
may be given out for public conSldera-
ton. If the hearing is decided upon,
it is likely it will be held in the near
future.
Two Formal Petitions.
The Operative Builders Association
twice during the past year has formally
petitioned for a hearing on the subject,
claiming that such storage garages
would be a benefit to the city by re-
moving cars now parked all night IN
the streets.
The coming code now requires that
permission for such apartment garages
property owners.
No opposition developed at the near
ing to the amendment to the coming
code proposed by the commission which
would permit the remodeling Of non
conforming" dwelling in residential
areas, now possible only by a change
in the coming map.
Herbert Wilson, speaking as chairman
of the coming committee of the Manor
rlr 1I.i %
the mechanics of the proposed amend
ment, though not to its purpose.
Maj. Donald A. Dawson, executive
officer Of theb Zoning Commission,
pointed out that the amendment would
be good thing for coming by making
the code flexible enough to permit rea-
sonable alterations to a house not now
possible under the regulations.
Recent Refusal.
The commission recently declined to
lower the coming classification of a resi-
dental section to permit a property
owner of a Semi-detached house, nom
conforming structure in an A restricted
area. to incloee . rear porch. IF the
present amendment is adopted such an
alteration could be made without
changing the coming.
The proposed amendment reads:
within the outside walls of a nom
conforming dwelling, or an addition to
such dwelling of a porch, or the in
closing of a porch, may be permitted;
provided that such dwelling be used ex
clusively for residential purposes, that
the permitted percentage of lot oc-
cupany be not exceeded thereby, and
that such alterations or additions be
approved by the Commissioners OF the
District of Columbia"
Walter Herman, representing the
Pennsylvania Railroad, owner of lot
on the southeast corner of Ivy and
Canal streets, southeast, petitioned for
a change of coming there from first to
second commercial classification to per-
NIT the American Instrument Co. to
erect light manufacturing plant there.
A number of property owners IN the
section protested.
Church Plans Heard.
Rev. Samuel E. Rose, pastor of the
Petworth Methodist Episcopal Church,
and Harry A. Beck, chairman of the
building committee of the church, ap-
peared to support petition that
zoning of the property on Grant Circle
and New Hampshire avenue, back of
the church building. be changed to per-
NIT construction of Sunday school
building of size. not now permitted. No
opposition was voiced.
An issue developed over the proposal
of the William H. Sanders Co. for
change in the coming of the square
between Twelfth and Thirteenth streets,
Rittenhouse and Sheridan streets, from
residential A restricted to residential
B restricted, which would permit con-
struction there of group houses. The
petitioner was represented by Joseph
McGarraghy, W. w. Trew, vice presi-
dent of the Saunders Co., and Gilbert
l.. Rodier, architect.
Opposition came from L. F. Randolph
chairman of the coming committee of
the Brightwood Citizens Association;
William NICK Clayton and 40 owners of
homes in the section.
The commission also heard arguments
asking a change of the coming on the
rear part of property on the east side
OF Connecticut avenue between Ordway
and Porter streets from residential A
restricted area to first commercial Co.
foot area, where a commercial develop
ment is planned, and for change from
residential A restricted area to resi-
Dental A area of the property on the
east side of Connecticut avenue be-
tween Quebec and Rodman streets,
where it is proposed to erect an addi-
ton to an apartment house.