Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-04


section where maximum height
is permitted under the coming law
The findings of the coming engineer,
the map and the opinions expressed in
the statement, are the personal work CT
Mr.. Lindholm and as yet does not nee
esSarily represent the position of mem
bers Of the zoning Commission. 1t is
rather study submitted to the com-
mission for its advice.
Opportunity Lightly Needed.
The crux of Mr.. Lindholms survey
findings is the following:
Prior to the coming act of 1920 there
were in wl1S< is now the 110-fcot height
zone 40 buildings higher than so feet.
A new building in this area means the
razing of an old one; but notwithstand-
ing this, only 40 of the 1853 buildings
erected since 1920 are more than go
feet high.
Although permitted to go up to ITO
feet, the promoters of 1851 rs per
cent Of the total-of the new buildings
did not go above the 90-foot limit, and
at least 81 Of the new buildings were
only one or two stories"
He emphasizes that though the own
ers of these building sites were per-
the 110-foot maximum, less than
third Of the promoters of the new
buildings ayailed themselves Of the OPP
portuntty.
THE demand for additional 1l0-foot
height area for building purposes" he
concludes, sis q clamor for chances to
draw lucky number in lottery"
BY this Mr. Lindholm is understood
to mean that because of the present
amount Of area where 110-foot build
ingS might be erected, by the razing of
existing smaller buildings, and because
Of the higher prices that are usually
paid for sites where maximum height
buildings are permitted. he views
movement to increase such areas as
one calculated to benefit financially
either present owners of such sites or
promoters Of new maximum height
buildings.
Limitations LiberaIiEed.
Limitation as to heights of buildings
IN Washington has been liberalized a
number of times after serious scrutiny
Of proposals by the Zoning Commission.
The coming law, passed by Congress
March !, 1920, supplementing the
building code of June /, 1910, pre-
scribed no height limitations but au-
thorized the zoning Commission to set
limits not exceeding those contained in
the building code. This provided a
height limit equal to the width of the
street upon which the building fronts,
plus 20 feet, with a maximum of 100
feet, except as TO a part Of the north
side of Pennsylvania avenue east of
Fifteenth street, where the limit was
fixed at $50 feet
When the Zoning Commission was
first set up there were four heights Of
buildings used in the classification:
10 feet, IS feet, SIS feet and 40 feet
The IS and SIS foot limits subsequently
were increased to 90 and go feet, re-
spectively, to permit better ceiling
heights.
Later the Zoning Commission adopted
the regulation permitting 130-foot
heights on streets 40 feet or more in
width within the 1I0-fcot areas, with a
setback Of 6 inches for each foot Of
height above ITO feet.
More recently. the commission adopt
ed another amendment permitting con-
struction Ct apartments 90 feet high in
6o-foot-height areas, provided the
amount Of lot occupancy be definitely
reduced under stated formula.
New Data in Records.
Mr.. Lindholm's study Of the available
amount Of maximum height area that
has actually been developed to maxi
mum degree adds an interesting new
amount Of data to the record.
After reporting the findings quoted
above. the Lindholm survey continues:
West Of Sixteenth street the no.
foot height zone reaches along Con-
necticut avenue to Dupont circle and
along Pennsylvania avenue to Washing
ton circle East of Sixteenth street IL
forms a more compact area between K
and D streets to Seventh street. run
ming up Vermont avenue and Four
tenth street to Thomas circle.
The coming map Of 1920 contained
100000 square feet in the l10-foot
height zone. Since then 1886, 400 square
feet have been given to claimants for
lucky numbers They have not all
used their luck, for less than 100000
Of the 1886. 400 square feet have been
improved with buildings higher than
30 feet. In fact. of the 1926, AGO square
feet in the 1l0-foot height zone. only
1225,000 square feet. or less than one
fifth. are covered with buildings over
90 feet. including those erected prior to
1920, and many of these buildings 1t
Is reported, go begging for tenants.
I'm fact, the argument as to future
increase turns upon the need for Office
space. Other considerations are of less
Importance.
"If II could be shown that there is
a demand for Office space that cannot
be met by existing buildings and that
there are 40 more available sites. the
demand for rezoning would be justified.
As IL Is, however, no shortage is claimed;
in fact, the opposite is troubling present
investors; and the situation is further
aggravated by the termination Of leases
for Office space held by the Municipal
and Federal Governments. Millions Of
square feet win be vacated by the Gov
CONTINUED on Second PaRe.l