Evening star., 1936-03-29
CHANGES|Nz0N|NC
HELD NEED OF CITY
Magathan Outlines Situa.
tion-Lodge to Talk on
D. G. Tax Problems.

Magathan. president, Citizens Asso-
ciation of Takoma, D. c., believes.
The commission has, however, re-
Gently proposed several changes to
the present law and is supported in
some of its contemplated changes by
the Federation of Citizens Associa-
tions. Such differences as have arisen
are as to the method. he explains
The federation believes the modifl-
cations it has approved are required
to protect the public interest, Maya
than believes. The zoning Com
mission has however. shown desire
to get the best results possible from
the present rules. 1t has arranged for
tween its committee and citizens and
representatives of interested organiza-
tions," Magathan declared in radio
address over Station WMAL last week.
Lodge to Talk.
Each week speaker from Washing
tons organized Citizenry speaks from
WMAL on current civic topics. The
series is sponsored by the Federation
of Citizens Associations and is under
the direction of Thomas Ellis Lodge,
president.
Mr.. Lodge will speak this week in
the radio series He will discuss the
inadequacy of the present method of
collecting taxes in the District and
other tax problems that are now fac
ing property owners in Washington.
Dependence on zoning is SO univer-
sal today. Magathan declared last
week, we forget its recent development.
Beginning in New York in 1916, it has
spread until most urban communities
are now enjoying its advantages.
The District was one of the pioneers
in the field of zoning law with its law
enacted in 1920. Six months after
passage of the law the Zoning Commis-
sion was set up, he said. The fedora
ton and organized citizens aSSocia-
tions took an active interest in Secur-
ing the passage of the coming law and
have thereafter co-operated closely
with the group.
There is at this time revival of
interest in zoning problems because
the commission has found new changes
necessary in the regulations. The
changes proposed are the result of
studies made and administrative ex-
perience of Capt. Hugh Dram, execu-
tive officer of the commission; John
Nolen, jr., representing the Park and
Planning Commission; Vernon West,
assistant corporation counsel, and
Harland Bartholomew, the commit
tees consultant, who was with the
group in 1920 when the original regu-
lations were drawn.
Two Glasses Explained.
The proposed changes fall into two
general classes: Those to clarity GER
tain parts of the regulations and those
proposing to eliminate the so-called
constant" provisions.
The federation has carefully con-
sidered those changes which proposed
to clarity, Magathan stated, and it
has voted not to oppose them. This
type change is brought about by vari-
Gus amendments to the original law
since 1920 which have thrown out of
relationship certain paragraphs and
sections and made other paragraphs
ambiguous.
AS an example, the first change adds
10 the list Of definitions in section of
the regulations, the definition of ALLEY
lot" This definition was needed be-
cause in several amendments adopted
the term "alley lot" appears in several
places in the body of the regulation
without previous definition, he said.
The second group of changes in
Volving elimination of the consent pro-
visions is not so easily disposed Of"
Magathan continued While the pur-
pose of these consent provisions is to
protect property in the residential and
first commercial zones against uses
objected to by adjacent property
owners, this is not always the case.
The provision is that rs per cent of
property owners within prescribed dis
tances of the property in question, give
their written consent that different
type of permit be issued for this prop
erty.
These provisios were designed to give
nearby property owners type of veto
power over granting of Objectionable
permits, however the commission has
found this often works to the detri-
ment of those property owners which
the consent provision was designed to
protect. In other words, property
holders in the immediate neighborhood
may refuse their consents. The re-
quired rs per cent Of the consents,
however, may be secured in the outer
part of the radius where the owners
are not Immediately affected by the
proposed permit.
Permit Sometimes Required.
Furthermore, he added, the COM
mission feels itself bound to grant per-
mits, under the present law, If the re-
quired consents are on file, even
though the members of the commits
sion are Of the opinion public interest
would best be served by denying the
permit.
These consent provisions are divided
into two groups-those relating to resi-
dental districts and those relating to
first commercial districts. In resi-
dental districts consents are required
to establish private club or frater-
nifty Consents must be secured from
the rs per cent within 200 feet of
the proposed establishment. Other
establishments with similar require
ments are hospitals. sanatariums and
clinics for human beings, public garage
having no repair facilities and So
called alley lots for first or second
commercial use.
With the exception of the alley lots
and garages, the commission proposes
that the right to secure permits by
the other named establishments be
absolute. The garage and lots permits
would be secured as matter of right,