Evening star., 1945-11-20
Tenants Seeking
.1okeepShopsin
M'Lean Gardens
Petition Will Request
Zoning Board to
Reverse Its Stund

Residents of Mclean Gardens
and employees of the Government
Accounting Office on the Mclean
Gardens grounds will present petit
tions for the retention of a restau.
rant and shops to the Zoning Com
mission at a hearing starting at
1:30 pm. tomorrow, Star reporter
learned today.
The petitions state the facilities
the restaurant, a barber shop, a
beauty salon, a gift store and laun-
dry services-are essential to the
residents and employees, as adequate
corresponding services are not avail
able nearby.
The zoning Commission denied
an application by the Defense
Homes Corp. in April to permit a
change in the zoning of the SILL
100000 Mclean Gardens Develop
ment to permit continuation of the
existing commercial establishments.
Action was then started in Munich
pal Court to force compliance and
stop the stores from operating.
In June the Defense Homes Corp.
offered to abandon certain projects
If they could keep the restaurant.
The Commissioners on July gave
them 80 days to close the beauty
parlor, barber shop, gift shop and
laundry agency. but on July IL the
Zoning Commission agreed to have
a new hearing.
Services Were Included.
A Defense Homes Corp. spokes-
man pointed out that the project,
originally built for war workers
and armed service personnel, in
cluded these commercial services. as
Mclean Gardens is situated away
from adequate centers having these
facilities. The spokesman said that
during the 48-hour week the restau-
rant and other shops were indis-
pensable and that the needs still
persist for many of the residents.
Persons living in the nine resi-
dence halls, six for women and
three for men, in general expressed
the view that the facilities are es-
sential. There are 462 men and 924
women in the residence halls.
A resident of Benning Hall voiced
the general sentiment concerning
the restaurant. which serves ap-
proximately $500 persons each day.
by pointing out the lack of SIM
liar places nearby.
There are two restaurants on
Macomb street and a drug store
on Wisconsin avenue near Macomb
street where meals can be had" he
said. Il eat dinner frequently at
the two restaurants and find them
usually overcrowded at that hour"
Other hall residents pointed out
the two other eating places within
walking distance of the Gardens.
a Toddle Shop and a Hot Shoppe
on Wisconsin avenue, were usually
crowded at meal hours. One asked
the question, IF they are crowded
now with the cafeteria in opera
ton, what will happen If our res
taurant is closed?"
Hardship on GAO Workers.
-Four pretty girls from the Gen.
eral Accounting Office declared "it
would be a real hardship to get
lunch If the cafeteria is closed"
They pointed out Government work. .
ers only get 80 minutes to eat.
An official of the GAO backed
their statement by saying facilities
here are not adequate to take care
OF our personnel and it will work
very great hardship on them if
the cafeteria is required to close
its doors"
Mrs. zelia J. Ford. proprietor of
the beauty shop, estimated that 40
girls had their hair done each day.
Eugene Boyle. owner of the barber
shop, said he has about 40 customers
each day.