Evening star., 1941-12-04
Tract Rezoned
Council for
Big Apartment
6-to-3 Approval
Given Project in
Alexandria
- a Staff Correspondent Of The Star.


ALEXANDRIA, Va, Dec. A
$1,000 900 apartment project in the
extreme northwestern portion of the
city, to be built by the Metropolitan
Life Insurance Co. of New York,
was made possible last night by
6-to-3 vote of City Council.
After three and half hours OF
arguments in the Corporation Court
room, packed with about $50 r0i-
dents who appeared to oppose the
project, the Council voted to re-
zcne from residential A to resi-
Dental C-l and CO about 1877 acres
of land lying adjacent to Beverley
Hills.
Those voting for the rezoning
were Mayor William T. wilkins
and Councilmen James Armstrong,
Charles l.. Burgess, Ernest E.
Mankin, Charles M. Stump and
George K. Bender.
Councilmen who voted against the
change were Paul L. Delaney, John
D. Matter and Eugene Simpson.
Pledges Land for School.
Prior to the vote. Attorney Gard
ner l.. Boothe, representing the
insurance firm, declared that if the
change was approved, the petit
tioners would donate sufficient land
to provide public school grounds
and would contribute $50,000 to the
city for use in constructing the
school. He reiterated the offer i'm
mediately after the vote was taken.
A. J. Eken, technical adviser to
the insurance company, said ground
probably would be broken for the
project within the next two or
three weeks. The question of priori-
ties on construction materials
already has been settled. he said.
and work can begin as soon as final
plans are drafted,
Last nights special meeting was
a continuance of public hearing
on the zoning request which was
first held November 25. About 300
residents appeared at the first hear
ing. Last night some citizens. unable
to find seats, lined the walls Of the
courtroom and stood in the aisles
near the door during the hearing.
Many Speak in Opposition.
Only one of the spectators spoke
In behalf of the project, while more
than a score, acting as spokeSmen
for organized civic groups or as in
dividual home owners, opposed the
change
The North Ridge Citizens Associ-
alton led the fight against the prof.
ect on the main contention that the
rezoning would break down the city's
last remaining large single family
dwelling area. That association was
represented by its president, Glenn
U. Richard. former president Will
liam E. Warne and Harold Whit
more.
Recent reports that the project
was being supported by 'the highest
source" in Washington, came in for
severe criticism by the citizens.
Harry Vaughn, secretary to Sena-
tor Truman, Democrat. of Missouri
declared he had called Stephen
Early, secretary to President Roose-
vlet, on the theory that the Chief
Executive might have lent his in
dorsement to the housing project.
Mr.. Vaughn said he was told that
Mr. Early had no knowledge of the
Presidents support.
To Cost About $4,000, 900.
Other protesting citizens referred
70 the highest source" reports as
ghost stories" employed by pro-
ponents of the development for psy-
Geological reasons.
Mr.. Eken told the Council the ac-
tual cost of the cottage-type apart
ment buildings would be about So
100000, but that the entire project,
including streets. landScaping and
recreational facilities, would run
close to s8,000,000 There will be
1000 living units with monthly
rental ranging from s45 to SIS, Mr.
Eken said.
In reply to fears expressed by
citizen concerning the effect of
postwar depression, Mr.. Eken said
the project would not become a
"low-cost rent" development and
added that the insurance company
would prefer to take any possible
loss. under such circumstances, from
vacancies rather than a reduction
Of rents.