Evening star., 1941-01-03
Public Hearing Is Set
On Community Unit
zoning Classification
$4,000, 900 Project
At Connecticut and
Florida Is at Issue

A public hearing will be held Feb
ruary 5 by the Zoning Commission
to consider an amendment TO the
zonlng code which would set up a
community unit" classification for
regulating development of large
tracts-a plan suggested one means
of permitting the proposed $150OO,-
600 Crystal City project at Connec-
tlcut and Florida avenues NV.
The commission, sitting in execu-
tive session yesterday, deferred ac-
ton on the request of promoters
Of the Crystal City project for in
creased height limits and for busi-
ness use on this tract in connection
with the multiple apartment and
hotel plan. However, it appeared
possible the Crystal City project
might be considered again by the
Zoning Commission or by the Board
of Zoning Adjustment before the
February hearing, if changes we're
made in its scope.
As the plan now stands, stores
would be developed along the
Connecticut avenue frontage and
a theater near the intersection of
the two avenues. Neither business
nor theaters would be permitted in
residential sections under the pro-
posed new community unit" classi-
ficatlon, except that drug stores,
barber shops and similar businesses
could be located inside hotels or
apartments, such as is permitted
under present regulations.
Revision of Plans Sought.
Engineer Commissioner David Nc
Coach, chairman of the Zoning
Commission, has asked members of
the Zoning Advisory Council to con-
fer with promoters of the Crystal
City project concerning revision Of
plans which would eliminate the
proposed Connecticut avenue busi-
ness front
The community unit" proposal
came from members of the National
Capital Park and Planning Commis-
sion. A tentative draft now being
studied by the Advisory Council
reads:
Permit the owner or owners of
any tract of land comprising an area
of not less than number yet to be
stated acres the use and develop
ment of all of such tract of land for
residential purposes, even though
the use of the land, the level from
which the height of buildings shall
be measured and the use and loca-
ton of structures, including the
Yards and open spaces required by
the zoning regulations, do not con-
form In all respects to the said regu-
lations. Such development plan
shall be referred to the National
Capital Park and Planning Commls-
sion for study and report.
Points to Be Considered.
In acting upon the application
for such development the Board of
Zoning Adjustment shall consider
the following:
Il. That the values of buildings
and the character of the property
adjacent to the area included in
said plan will not be adversely
affected.
%. That said plan is consistent
with the intent and purpose of this
ordinance to promote public health,
safety, morals and general welfare.
"3. That the buildings shall be
used only for residential purposes
and the usual accessory uses. such
as automobile parking areas, garages
and community activities, including
churches"
The Zoning Commission deferred
action on a proposal by the Park
and Planning Commission to amend
the zoning code to limit the maxi
mum height of buildings throughout
the city to 10 feet.
The ZOning Commission denied a
petition for a change of zoning at
the southeast corner of Thirteenth
street and Massachusetts avenue
NV. to permit erection of hotel
estimated to cost S500,0O0. It also
denied a petition for B restricted
zoning for property on the west side
Of FoXhall road between Reservoir
road and O street N w