Evening star., 1932-12-14
Battle Waged to Bar Exten.
sion Of Commercial Area
Near Chevy Chase Circle.
OBJECTIONS ARE MADE
BEFORE DISTRICT HEADS
Spokesman of Citizens Association
Says Project Would Mar
Beautification Plan.

A long bitter battle was waged today
at hearing before the District Com
missioners on plans to change the street
lines near Chevy Chase Circle ulti-
E, mately intended to result in the build
ing of one-story commercial structures
fronting on Connecticut avenue between
Northampton street and the line OF a
proposed extension Of Oliver street and
also on the north side of Northampton
street between Thirty ninth street and
Connecticut avenue.
The proposition before the CommlS-
sioners was the dedication by prospec-
tive property owners OF land Tor the
opening of oliver street between Thirty
ninth street and Connecticut avenue ana
of Thirty y-eighth Street between North
ampton and Oliver streets. Preston
Wire building contractor, has an option
to purchase the land now owned by
Oscar H. Robey and H. H. Byrne. the
| option conditional on acceptance ny
the District OF the land for the streets
and also the granting OF commercial
zoning on the frontages mentioned.
The hearing today was concerned only
with the changes in street lines In
yolved in the proposed dedication.
Objects to Entire Plan.
The Chevy Chase Citizers' Aesocia-
ton, represented by Edwin S. Hege, OBJ
jected to the entire proposition. holding
there is new sufficient commercial
frontage in this area and that its ex-
tension would tend to mar the entrance
to the District Of Columbia through
Chevy Chase Circle.
Mr.. Hege said the circle is now under
going special treatment in preparation
| for the placing OF memorial autnor-
lied by act CT Congress and that the
extension of commercial activities Whicn
might result in high buildings there
would conflict with the proposed treat
ment Of the circle.
The stand of the citizens association
was supported by Mrs. Frank B. Noyes.
who said she spoke, net as member OF
that organization. but as a member
of the District Of Columbia" who had
worked for the legislation for beautif1ca-
ton of the circle.
Sidney r. Prince. jr.. representing
| his father, a property owner in the
Chevy Chase section, pointed out the
| land on which it is proposed to build
the stores is governed by covenants re-
| stricting its use to residential pur-
poses.
1917 Court Act Cited.
/ These covenants were sustained, he
said. in a decision of the Court of Ap-
peals in 1917 and any effort to build
other stores in this area would result
in another legal contest on the same
grounds.
Harold E. Doyle representing Thomas
J. Fisher g. Co, agents for the Chevy
Chase Land Co, likewise opposed the
plan. He said the land company want
ed Thirty ninth street cut through from
| Northampton street to Chevy Chase
Circle and the triangle between Nortn.
ampton street, Thirty-ninth street and
Connecticut avenue eventually bought
or dedicated for use Of the park.
Walter G. Dunlop. 1852 Oliver street
likewise opposed the proposed changes
| owner
John j. Nolen, jr, representing the
National Capital Park and Planning
| Commission, said the proposed plan
would be exceedingly wasteful both OF
private and public property. He said
| his commission was opposed to the
opening of Oliver street, but favored
! instead, the widening of Northampton
street to 80 feet between Thirty-n1nth
street and Connecticut avenue and tax
] ing Thirty ninth street of the highway
plan north of Northampton street.
The same proposal was made last
month to the Zoning Commission, but
that commission deferred action until
after a hearing by the District CommH-
sioners on the highway plan changes
| The District Commissioners took the
case under advisement.
In the proceedings today. Mr.. Wire
| was represented by Ringgold Hart and
MI. Robey by Miller Kenyon.