The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-06-25
ADDRESS BY WALLACE B. KIRKE
ATROTARY LUNCHEON THURSDAY


between Division and United
streets, on Duyal. Whitehead and
Simonton streets. is both near the
business section and near the
beaches. and seems particularly
favorable for apartment house
growth. The sections of this area
on Duyal and Simonton streets
within these limits are already
somewhat mixed in character and
it is unlikely to be used for new
homes. The apartment therefore
seems to answer the situation for
new buildings in this area.
Another section that would
qualify for an apartment house
development would be along the
south side Of Front street at the
other end of town. This area,
which is now almost deserted.
would have a waterfront vista and
be near the restaurant area already
developed on lower DuvaI street.
If Front street was so developed,
night clubs in the vicinity might
find It better business to cater to
a restaurant trade. The character
, of this entire area may change
and waterfront hotels may be par.
Of the picture here, where yacht
may tie mp to a hotel pier.
Tn this area, a waterfront rark
is badly needed which could be
within block of the Post Office,
and Il. provided would change the
aspect of the whole district
Omitted street seams 70 be the
natural boundary IN what one
might consider the1 the dividing
line between what IS afairly well
developed district to pthe north
and west; and q fairly undeve.oped
district south and east to tha
beach. Restrictions that might be
applied to the undeveloped south
east area would meet with great
er opposition If applied to the
northwest area as the latter is al
ready fixed and somewhat mixed
in character.
cit is proposed therefore. that
the area south and east of United
street to the watrfFent be reserv-
! ed primarily for single family
homes with the possible exception
OF waterfront hotels, public parks
or beaches.
''In the northwest or the pres
ent old Key West, we may expect
tn rbuilding and rstoring of
many existing homes. We should
see that If apartments are built
in this area that they are not
placed directly on the sidewalk
line, but hack q distance to pro-
vide a minimum front yard It's
tance of at least Is feet. With
this provision the property value
Of homes on either side of an
apartment house need not be ma
terially affected. Light, air and
a vista are requisites that a home
should retain and not be en-
eFoached upon by q new building
place alongside.
"As residential districts Develop
other business and service loca.
tons viii also develop. II is q
long distance relatively from the
head of the island to our retail
shopping areas. For a limited
distance on the County Road at
its junction with Bertha and First
streets is a possible location for
such a retail service area.
Al provision should be made in
any proposed coming ordinance
whereby original zone boundaries
may be modified as building trends
are noted. No particular benefit
could be derived by keeping to an
outmOded plan but such boundary
adjustments would affect only
limited sections at a time.
The Capital at q Washington
WIS placed to. face the 3 city of
Washington asst was expected to
grow, but as it developed. it faces
an entirely different direction.
We have notsthat problem in Key
West. but it is highly desirable
that on this small island OF ours
we eliminate as much as possible
clashes of interests, and that we
give more thought to orderly
planning. A ten-year plan is not
looking too far into the future
Public Works programs will be q
part of this future and such steps
as can be taken should fit into a
future plan. If there Is no plan,
many opportunities win be missed
to shape an orderly development
or steps might be taken to actual
ly block a future Development IL
such a plan is not had in perspee-
tive.
fZoHing and planning 60 hand
IN hand A reasonable and prae-
teal coming ordnance cannot be
-