Evening star., 1944-11-16
Proposed zoning Bal
On Nursery Schools
Sharply Protested

Inc LOnlng COMMISSION COncluQed
its two-day session yesterday after
hearing vigorous protests against an
amendment to the zoning regula-
tions which would bar nursery
schools and day-care programs from
restricted residential areas.
Protests were made by the Rev.
F. Bland Tucker, chairman of the
Social Welfare Committee of the
Washington Federation of Churches;
Mrs. Eugene Meyer, wife of the pub
Usher of the Washington Post, and
Mrs. James Brunot, chairman of the
Child Care and Protection Commit
tee of the District.
I'VE believe that to prohibit edu-
catlonal programs by Zoning ordi-
nances-which are essentially prop
erty ordinances-is unsound public
policy" declared DR.. Tucker.
Cites Church Belief.
The churches of Washington af-
firm that the rights of childhood
are pre-eminent over the rights of
property. They believe that parents
and educational experts should have
as much to say as property owners
as to what constitutes an adequate
child care program"
DR.. Tucker said that in the areas
which would be barred to child care
programs. there are Is child care
centers in operation and application
for 8 more are pending. The pro-
grams now take care of Alb children.
I'm response to an inquiry mailed
over the week end. SO local pastors
expressed opposition to any amend
ment which arbitrarily prohibited
the church from engaging in child
care activities In restricted resi-
dental districts" DR.. Tucker added.
Cites Policy Elsewhere.
Mrs. Meyer contended that the
would make the District
ridiculous" in the eyes of the Ma
ton and would in effect warn women
not to come to Washington to work
If they have children of preschool
age. Nursery schools are expanding
throughout the country, she said,
and the District should expand
them as quickly" as it can.
R. O. Clouser, executive officer of
the commission, said the purpose of
the amendment was to put these
schools in areas where there are
tenants rather than where there are
home owners" The Zoning Advisory
Council approved the proposal, but
suggested that it 60 into effect six
months after the war.
Other cases taken under ad-
visement we're:
To change from residential to
first commercial property on the
west side of Kenilworth avenue,
north Of Hayes street NE. This
commercial land would provide a
shopping and theater center for
Mayfair and Parkside housing de-
velopments.
Project Unopposed.
To extend the commercial area
on Alabama avenue at the junction
of Naylor and Good Hope roads NE.
No opposition was expressed to this
proposal.
To change from a restricted resi-
dental area to a residential area
within the area bounded
on the west by Bladensburg road, on
the north by South Dakota avenue,
and on the south by the right-of-
way of railroads north of New York
avenue NE. This change would
permit multi-family dwellings.
To change from q restricted resi-
Dental area to a residential area
permitting apartments) all prop
erty abutting the west side of
Twenty-fourth street between Doug
las and Franklin streets NE.
To change from restricted resi-
DENTAL to residential lots abutting
the north and south sides of Rhode
Island avenue between Twenty
fourth and Newton streets NE. and
several lots abutting the south side
OF Monroe street, just east of Rhode
Island avenue NE