Evening star., 1950-01-03

lviding that the Board of Public
Works should make all necessary
regulations respecting the con-
Istruction of private buildings In
the District of Columbia, subject
to the supervision of the Legisla-
tive Assembly"
But, apparently, little was done,
flor the Legislative Assembly's acts
contain no legislation dealing with
building regulations. nor is there
any printed record to show that
the Board of Public Works issued
any.
The Districts present building
code is based on an act of Con-
gress in 1878. providing that the
District Commissioners shall
make and enforce such building
regulations as they may deem ad-
visable. and that the regulations
so made shall have the same
force and effect within the Dis
trict of Columbia as, If enacted
by Congress"
A comprehensive building code
was issued under this act most
recently on October Is. 1941, con-
trolling the construction, erection,
maintenance, repair and removal
| of structures other than Federal
buildings. Subsequently, several
amendments were made to this
code and. in addition, regula-
tions were adopted in 1916 under
the Egress Act of 1912. Enforce
ment of certain of these egress
regulations, as they affect exist
ing buildings, have been post
poned pending further considera-
ton.
Among other milestones in the
history of Washington construc-
ton regulations and controls are
the following:
/. Adoption in 1910 Of an act
governing the height of buildings
in the District. Under this legis-
lation, and later amendments,
maximum height limits are de-
fined for different sections of the
city In the area fronting on
Union Station Plaza, for example,
building heights are limited to 80
feet. A maximum height of 100
feet is permitted on 110-foot-wide
streets under certain conditions.
2. Adoption of the Shipstead-
Luce Act in 1880 which requires
submission of plans to the Fine
Arts Commission before private
buildings may be erected facing
important Government buildings
and parks in certain specified
areas and that the design OF such
buildings be in harmony with
other buildings or features in
the area.
3. Adoption of legislation in
1920 setting up the Zoning Com
mission and a subsequent act In
1888 strengthening the commits
SION Under this act, the Zoning
Commission is empowered to
regulate the location, height,
bulk. number of stories, and size
of buildings and other structures
the percentage Of lot which may
be occupied, the sizes Of yards,
courts. and other open spaces
the density of population, and
the uses of buildings, structures
and land for trade, industry, resi-
dence, recreation, public activities
or other purposes"
The Act of 1888 also set ur
a Zoning Advisory Council as well
as a Board Of zoning Adjustment
having power to hear and decide
appeals, complaints, or requests
for special exceptions.
4. Adoption Of an act In 1926
setting up the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission,
which has certain zoning RESPONSE
bilities involved In the construc-
ton Of private and Government
buildings. In 1888 Congress pro-
vided that the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission be
required to approve the location,
height, bulk, number Of stories
and size Of Federal buildings IN
the District and the provision OF
open space in and around them.