Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-19
Rate By MaiI-Payable in Advance.
The New zoning Proposal.


with his usual good judgment, Maj.
Donald A. Dawson, senior Assistant En-
gineer Commissioner and executive Of
1icer of the Zoning Commission, Is OBJ
taining the reaction Of representative
civic organizations concerning an I'M
portant amendment to the soning regu-
1ations to create a new "use district"
IA sections now zoned as residential.
The proposal should awaken wide inter-
ct. It's possible application in the case
Of Sixteenth street alone Is enough to
develop valuable discussion.
Briefly, Mai. Davison's suggestion is
chat something should be done In the
ease Of those streets or sections Of the
city which new conditions have made
undesirable for residential use, but the
dignity and character Of which dis
courage, and should discourage, any out
and-out change from residential to COM
naercial. There should be o classifica-
ton. not now existing. that would fall
between residential and commercial use;
one that would not destroy the predomi-
mating residential character Of the street
or neighborhood, but which at the same
time would permit some of the less OBJ
3ectionable uses that are identified with
. flrst commercial area.
The case Of Sixteenth street is well
known. On lower Sixteenth, from H
street to Scott Circle, trafic congestion,
proximity to downtown business and
other factors have combined to destroy
the distinctly residential advantages that
once existed. Just around the corner
from Sixteenth are commercial areas,
and Sixteenth street property has in
creased tremendously In value. Owners
Of the property pay high taxes. and
while the property has lost its charm
Tor private residences, the owners are
unable to sell for other uses. On the
other hand, the preservation of Six
teenth street against the encroachment
Of ordinary commerce Is vital, unless
the character Of this famous thorough
fare Is to be lost and It's possibilities
surrendered.
Mai. Davison's proposed amendment
would create limited commercial dis
txict, IN which tho buildings and prem
1ses could be used for any use now per-
united In residential districts and for
banks and ONCE buildings Gin which no
retail trade IS conducted: Offices Of
physicians and 'tother professional per-
ar~s" scientific institutions, studies and
trade or vocational schools, theaters and
movie theaters, municipal recreation
buildings, community center buildings
and beauty shops. Provided" says the
amendment, that no projection be
made beyond the front building line,
that no display or show windows be used
and that no sign extend more than
three and one-haK feet beyond the
front wall Of the building"
It viii be noticed that construction Of
oface buildings Is probably the most
drastic departure from the restrictions
q residential areas. But the modtfica-
lions ~ 70 prohibition Of retail trade
and window display should remove OBJ
5ections. Some ONCE buildings In
washington are far more pleasing
IN appearance than apartment houses
and hotels that now are allowed on Six
teenth.
At first glance Mai. Dawson appears
10 have hit upon o sensible plan that
should bring relief to property owners
who now suffer unduly from coming re-
strtctions without endangering the
character Of area affected. In addition
70 Sixteenth street these areas would
probably include Calvert street from
Columbia road 10 Connecticut avenue,
Connecticut avenue from Rock Greek to
Cathedral avenue, portions of Columbia
road from Eighteenth to Sixteenth
street and residential portions Of M
street from Thomas Circle to New York
evenue.
Those to whom Maj. Dawson has adj
dressed his inquiries should bring the
matter before their organizations and
put 1t up for full discussion.