Evening star., 1944-01-05

Soo'i 'yPe VI DuioH9
Held Unsuited in Some
Sections, Fitting in Others
The zoning advisory council today
reported adversely before the Zoning
Commission on amendments to
modify the definition of the word
building" to permit construction
OF court groups of buildings with
division walls from the ground to
the roof, as single structures. It
contended that construction of such
court groups involving vertical units
or row houses might be unwise in
all A areas.
Under the proposed amendments
court groups of buildings in the
shape OF Is and Us forming open
courts facing street, would be per-
mitted in areas where multi family
dwellings are now allowed. Such
groups would be provided with
water, sewage and eating facilities
common to all units, thus permitting
more economical construction. A
present, when a structure is sepa-
rated by division walls from the
ground up, each portion is regarded
as separate building.
Lyle Fletcher, who said he repre-
sented the Southeast Council @
Citizens Associations, was oppose.
to the regulations as now propose
and was granted week to work ou
specific regulations.
Builders View Cited. =
"The concensus of opinion {;
builders and others so far con
tacted," the councils report stat
ed, seems to be that it would /
unwise to permit the erection {,
court groups, particularly those ir
volving vertical units or row house
in all the A area districts. TT
principle reason underlying tn
conclusion is the feeling that grou
or row houses, in whatever mannt
they may be constructed, should NJ
be permitted in A area distric
unless in each instance the relation =
ship to the existing developments
carefully reviewed by a competel
authority after public hearing"
The proposed change in regul3 :
tlons was designed, it was said.
enable low rent housing to be COZ
structed more economically. Tho
would permit the erection of buile
ings in the shape of Is and U
forming open courts facing a stree
John Ihlder, executive officer
the National Capital Housing Al
thority, described the proposed reg, -
lation as a step in the right diret
ton. but offered a series of exhibi
to show the need for greater flex j.
bility In the types of buildings to /
built. He contended that greatt
hexlbllity was needed in order /,
utilize large squares of land and bt
cause OF the rough topography of ii
land in many sections of the city.
Favor Family Type.
Mr.. 1hlder strongly favored Il
one-family type of dwellings, il
cluding the detached, semidetache
group and row type of building
He said that such type was tt
most economical to construct ar
operate and that it tended
strengthen the family ties.
James c. Wilkes, who said he rer
resented the Home Builders Assoc
alton, the Washington Real Esta:
Board and the local chapter of tt
/ Institute of Architects. said tt
proposed amendments might pro,
useful in certain sections of the cit
and were particularly adaptable I
corner and interior lots.
Mr.. Wilkes, however. said thf
such court groups of building
might do harm in certain A area
which now have detached home
Because of priorities on building
he felt that the threat to some {
these areas was not immediate.
Regulation Proposed.
Declaring that the proposed regu.
lations would eliminate the SC
called garden-type of apartment
multi-family structure with ele
vator service, Mr.. Wilkes suggeste
that as a temporary expedient tn
Board OF Zoning Adjustments b
permitted to pass on the construc
ton OF garden-type buildings am
that after further study regulation
be inserted into the zoning law
covering this type.
The report of the Advisory Coun.
Gil had this TO say on the garder
type:
The garden type of apartment 1
by far the most important of all con.
struction affected by these proposed
amendments, and their continued
erection should, if practicable, b,
provided for by specific regulation
The studies have thus far. however
found no solution other than the
adoption of the regulation, givins
the Board of Zoning Adjustment the
right to decide each case on its owr
merits.
The council is, therefore, of the
opinion that it will be necessary tc
delegate power to the Board Of
zoning Adjustments to grant, unit.
such time as a solution is found
permits for this type of apartment
building. 1t is also believed that
If the board takes such authority it
also should be given power to au-
thorize all other types of construc-
tion covered by the amendments
under consideration. The council
so recommends and will continue its
studies"
The loning Advisory Council is
composed of John Nolen, jr., direc-
tor of planning of the National Cap.
ital Park and Planning Commits
sion; Assistant Engineer Commits
sioner Joseph Arthur, jr., and R. O.
Clouser, executive officer of the
Zoning Commission.
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