Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-08
zoning Board
Sets Hearing in
Height Dispute
Seeks to Clarity
Regulations at
Meeting Oct. z

Taking cognizance OF recent con-
tests over the number of stories in
new buildings, the District zoning
Commission will consider clarifying
amendments to building height reg
ulations at public hearing october
2. At the same time it will hear
arguments on 81 proposals for
changes in the classification of in
dividual properties.
The commission will offer for pub
Lie discussion proposed amendments
to the zoning regulations which
would define STORY" a cellar"
and prescribing that the permitted
height of building shall be gagged
by foot measure rather than as to
the number of stories" which Is
an alternative test under present
rules. The number of stories test
would be eliminated from the rules.
In recent months, two contests
have arisen between Col. John w.
Oehmann, building inspector, and
owners of new construction projects
as to whether their buildings COM
piled with restrictions in the zon-
ing regulations.
Under the proposed new rule. in
the 110-foot, 90-foot and 60-foot
height districts, the height would
be measured as the distance from the
level of the curb opposite the middle
of the front of the building to the
top of any inclosed wall or to the
highest point of the roof. In the
40-foot districts, the height would
be the distance from the ground
level at the middle of the front of
the building to the top of any in
closed wall or to the highest point
of the roof.
Religious Groups Favored.
In addition to these, the COM
mission will consider amendments
under which lodging or boarding
houses or a multi-family dwelling,
or rest home, or converts, monas-
teries or houses of religious study
and residences of religious commu-
mites would be permitted in re-
stricted residential areas provided
it was found the neighborhoods
would not be adversely affected.
The proposed changes in property
classification to be considered are
as follows.
Extension of the first commercial
6o-foot height district to include |
property at 1924 Wisconsin avenue
NV, a lot on the west side of
Twelfth street near H street NE,
and lots bounded by Wisconsin
avenue, Thirty-fourth and r streets
and Reservoir road NV. or in the
alternative change from residential
40-foot height "B" restricted area
residential 60-foot height area all
except the southeast corner with a
frontage of 1871 feet on Reservoir
road and rs feet on Wisconsin ave-
nue..
The 60-foot residential "B" re-
stricted and &c" areas shall be made
residential 90-foot height areas &c"
restricted for the southeast corner
Of Twenty second and @ streets
NV.
Residential Areas Affected.
Residential 60-foot "A" restricted
areas to first commercial 60-foot
&C" areas at the southeast corner
of Colorado avenue and Kennedy
street NV.
Residential 40-foot "A" areas of
lots located on both sides of Under
wood street between Georgia ave-
hue and Thirteenth street NV. to
40-foot "a" semi-restricted.
Extension of the first commercial
40-foot &C" area to include all of
the residential part of the north
west corner of Minnesota avenue
and Nelson place Sc.
Extend the first commercial 40
foot &C" area to include the north
west corner of Thirtieth street and
Nelson place Sc.
Change from residential 40-foot
"B" area to first commercial 40
foot &C" area for property at 1920
to 1888 Fourth street NE
Extension Proposed.
Extend the residential 40-foot "a"
area for the parcel bounded by
Evarts street and Saratoga and
(See zONING, Page B-2)