The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-12-05
FOR THE COMING BOARD

otherwise.
FOR THE ZONING BOARD
Editor, The Citizen:
AS a cover to cover reader of
The Key West Citizen, and a
good friend of Key West itself, I
was moved to write this letter
on account of an article in the
November 23rd issue of The Key
West Citizen, and an editorial in
the issue of November 25th. This
article indicated that the old zon-
ing ordinance was about to be
adopted in toto as the official
and enforcible coming regulations.
May l now voice a long distance
but nevertheless sincere pro-
test?
The original coming ordinance
submitted to me by Wallace B.
Kirke was a horrible abortion,
and only personal interest and
prejudice could account for the
strange way in which the City of
Key West was zoned into va
rious districts. For example,
parts of Duval Street were left
out of being commercial in view
of the fact that certain prom
inent citizens had homes along
Duval Street The beach prop
erty between Simonton and Du-
val, which is definitely one of
the few properties suitable for
the eventual erection of a large
hotel, was purposely left for
single family residences only be-
cause the city hoped to make an
advantageous lease with Mrs.
Laranaga and the Cato Interest.
The lease could be secured at
more advantageous terms if the
property was less valuable.
There are many other instances
of complete lack of foresight in
virtually eliminating any posi-
bility for manufacturing develop,
ment in the city and the protec-
ton of existing structures, which
have long outlived their safety
and economic usefulness.
sincerely hope that the new
zoning board will take hold of
the problem of coming the City
of Key West with an impersonal
point of view, looking towards
the best interests of the city it
self and considering its future
within the limitations of human
understanding. I would like to
briefly suggest the following:
/. That Duval Street and
i. Simonton Street both be
designated as commercial
from coast to coast. Similar
ly, the entire length of Flem-
ing Street, Division Street
and White Street, although
White Street will probably
develop commercially only
after the northern part of the
Island is built up.
2. The property in the
vicinity of the Casa Marina
and along the Atlantic side
should all be made available
for ultimate development in
high grade apartment build
ings and hotels. There is
plenty of property short
distance away from the ocean
which can be restricted for
single family residences, but
Key West can never develop
facilities for an effective
tourist trade unless the
choice pieces of property are
made available for multi
unit structures.
8. There should be a sub
stantial portion of land made
available for ultimate indus
trial development. While the
cigar industry may not in
crease greatly, if the city it
self grows. there will be in
dustries of local character
necessary to support the in
creasing population. These
industries should be segre-
gated as to not spoil the gen.
eral appearance of the COM
munity, but at the same time
they must have a place to
grow and develop.
A. In general as to single
family residential property,
I would like very much to
see the Board authorize GER
tain regulations as to new
buildings in regard to the
minimum quality of the
structure, and further pro-
visions that will effect light
and sunshine for all build
ings.
Frankly I am making these
suggestions because of my
genuine interest for the com
munity, and / have no FAX to
grind. although / have an in
terest in the corner of Vernon
and South Streets, but make no
special plea in connection with
! any particular coming for this