New Britain herald., 1930-12-09
Fear of Marring Park En- trance Expressed at Cur tin Property Hearing - McClintOck Road Change Turned Down-StaRley- Allen Sts. Corner Fight.

Cedar street from residence 10 business B, against the rem onstrance of a large number of persons and organizations, including the park board, the adjustment board decid- ed last night to put the matter over 10 the next meeting. In the mean time the board will try to cause q change to be made in the city ordl- nances, through the ordinance con- mittee, and through other proper le- gal channels, to give the board pow CT to designate to a certain extent the kind of a business structure that can be erected along that portion Of West Main street or any other street that might be changed in the future from residential to a classified busl- ness zone.
 Crowd in Corridors
 The meeting brought such q jam of persons interested in several ot the proposed zone changes that the overflow filled the corridors of the second floor of the City hall from wall to wall in all directions. Scores who wanted to get into the small board room to speak for or against some proposed change in zonng were unable to get near the doors, and considerable criticism was heard in the corridor during the time Of the meeting. Suggestions to some Dt the board members to adjourn the meeting to the council chamber were met with froWns, and great ucal of dissatisfaction was voiced in the overflow crowd.
 Out of l2 matters 10 come up for discussion. six were passed, four were held over to the next meeting and two were rejected. The one item over which there was considerable discussion and which was passed by a bare majority vote was the pro- posed change in zoning affecting the corner of Allen and Stanley streets.
 During the hearing on this mat ter a lively exchange of sharp ropartcc on the part of Attorney r. B. Hungerford, representing the petitioners. and Judge B. F. Gaffney board member. brought all attention to the pair and all other business was dropped until they had conclud- cd their verbal battle.
 Change Affects Gas Stations
 Another matter which was attend ed to, which has had more ups and downs in the lower and higher courts, but which the board had re turned to time after time. was a pro- posed change in the zoning ordi- nance which now prevents gaso- line station within 900 feet of a church in a business zone, but only 100 feet from a church in a resldcn- tial zone The board voted to rec ommend change in the ordinance so that the 100 foot limit will apply in all zones. regardless of nature.
 During the meeting the question was raised by Commissioner $. M. Davidson. whether the board should be subjected 10 the task of being forced 10 change zones at the re quest Of some merchant or business man who wanted the change made 90 that there would be no chance for rival in business to establish himself in the same locality. The board discussed this at some length.
 No vote was taken on the ques- tion. but the members expressed themselves as against being made the pawn for a business man to get business protection against compeu- ton in this manner
 West Main sherman Court Change
 of h,. bll.aGt nf West Main street and Sherman court from residence C to business B Was requc stcd, and Michael w. Banuan, Wno owns several iilIin3 stations, one Of which is located near the corner. objected because there would be too much competi ton if another filling station were 10 be erected. He admitted that an other hlling station there would ln- Juro his business. The board grant, ed the change Ill zone.
 Because q section Of Myrtle street from the present west boundary of the business E zone to Burrltt street was not included i'll business B zone. through error when the zoning ordinance Vas adopted, the board granted the petitioners hNlns and doing business within that DOT ton of Myrtle street the change so that all of Myrtle street from Man to Burritt street is now in business B zone.
 Son Counsel for Mother
 The first big battle of the evening came when the proposed change on West Main street. between High and Cedar streets, was taken up. Attor- ney William F. Curtin represented lis mother. Mrs. Mary A. Curtin, owner of the property at 175 West Main street, who requested the change of zone from residence ( 10 business E.
 Attorney Curtin explained th'.t there are now only. two persons liV ing between High street and Cedar street on the north side of West Main street. himself and hls moth CT, and the property, once worth s26,oO0. and taxes and other over head now being s2,S00, brings 'n no revenue nor can it be sold. H. said that the property had been on the market for five years and not one person had looked 1t over with the view of buying it. Residence . zone makes the property unsaiaDle and the only thing that can be done with it IS to make a roomiI- house or "a cemetery" he lot IS too small for either, explained MT Curtin.
 The opponents included the park board. St Marks church and seV cral persons who own property on Cedar street.
 Park Board Protests