Evening star., 1946-10-23
.zoning' Board
.HearsP|eaf for
Renting Rooms
Wartime Crowdinq
Not Yet AIIeviuted,
Council Declares

With the limited approval of the
Federation of Citizens Associations
the Zoning Commission today took
under advisement a proposal to
extend for a year the wartime privi-
lege of home owners in restricted
residential areas to take in roomers
Under the present regulation, the
privilege expires December 81.
Mrs. Leslie B. Wright, speaking
for the Federation, said it did not
oppose the amendment, provided
there was no increase in the num-
ber of such temporary licenses.
She also asked that in the event
of any applications for such licenses
the adjacent property owners and
the citizens associations affected be
notified.
Points to Advertisements.
w. A. Eisenhart of the Rhode Is
land Avenue Citizens Association
gave unqualified support to the pro-
posed extension. 1t was opposed
however, by Joseph Sanders of the
Forest Hills Citizens Association
Mr.. Sanders said advertisements in
the press indicated an increasing
availability of rooms in unrestricted
areas.
Since shortly before Pearl Harbor
residents in restricted areas have
been allowed by the commission te
take as many as four roomers. In
July, 1912, this was extended to
more than four, provided the Board
of zoning Adjustment approved
each application. Both privileges
were designed early this year to ease
the Washington housing shortage
and were given a uniform termina-
tion date of December 81, 1916.
The proposal to continue the
privilege came from the Zoning Ad-
visory Council, three-member
board of zoning experts which adj
vises the commission on proposed
coming changes.
"In the Public Interest"
The council urged the extension
in the public interests" saying it
saw mo material alienation" of the
conditions which prompted the orig
inal grant of the privilege.
1t has been estimated that be-
tween 5000 and 1000 persons are
renting rooms in restricted resi-
dental areas under the privilege.
Three other PROPOSED amend
ments to zoning rules taken under
advisement would:
/. Permit in downtown area dis
tricts use of the entire lot by its
building provided the property is on
a big enough alley. This is a minor
change from the present SO per cent
lot occupancy limitation. It was
supported by A. Julian Brylawski of
the Veterans Emergency Housing
Committee.
2. Allow buildings in residential
&C" and ID" areas to be used for
business purposes if they are across
the street from Federal property
used for commercial or industrial
purposes. At present, this use is
allowed only when the building
fronts on commercial property in
another zone The amendment
stems from a recent effort by for
mer Senator Robert r. Reynolds
of North Carolina to use for busi-
ness purposes residestial property
facing the Senate Office Building
No one was on hand to oppose or
favor the proposal.
3. Allow the gas company to set
up testing stations in residential
areas when specifically approved by
the Board of zoning Adjustment
and the Public Utilities Commits
sion. Spokesmen for the PUG and
H. B. Noyes, general superintendent
of the gas company, spoke for the
plan. The Federation of Citizens
ASsocia tionS onnOSed