Evening star., 1952-04-17
More zoning Leeway
On Non-Conforminq
Buildings Is Urged

District officials yesterday ad-
vocated legislation to give zoning
authorities more leeway in control
of non-conforming buildings.
Commissioner F. Joseph Dono-
hue told a Senate District sub
committee he would suggest legis-
lation to let District Zoning
officials decide whether structural
changes should be made in nom
conforming buildings. He said he
would bring the matter up at the
next meeting of the city heads.
Commissioner Donohue and
Corporation Counsel Vernon E
West testified in opposition to a
bill that would authorize the re-
building of two Northwest gas
stations in residential areas. The
Stations-ope at Wisconsin and
Massachusetts, avenues and the
other on Sixteenth street between
Upshur street and Arkansas ave-
nue-were built before passage of
present zoning laws.
Laws Prevent Improvements.
Under the non-conforming
clause of the zoning laws, the
stations may remain in the resi-
dental areas, provided no struc-
tural changes are made. The
companies operating the stations
want to improve the buildings.
The Board of Zoning Adjustment
refused to re-zone the sites as
commercial property. Under ex-I
listing law re-zoning would be
necessary before the improve
ments could be made.
Mr.. West pointed out there are
some 5000 non-conforming build
ings in the District. He said pas
sage of the bill would "set a pre-
cedent" and open the door for
similar legislative requests from
other property owners.
Both he and Mr.. Donohue said
decisions on whether such prop
erty could be improved should be
the responsibility of District
officials.
Stations Termed "Shacks."
Representatives of the gasoline
companies referred to the stations
as "shacks" and said they are in
terested only in improving the
appearance of the properties.
James K. Egan, general counsel
Of the American Oil Co., said the
station at Wisconsin and Massa-
chusetts avenue is a mess and
"a disgrace to the city" He said
his company is prepared to spend
between $4,000 and $4,000 to
build a station ''in keeping with
the general surroundings of the
nieghborhood." The company
would be glad to work with the
Fine Arts Commission or the Ma
tional Capital Park and Planning
Commission in designing a suit
able building, he said.
Byron P. Mackenzie. Washing
ton manager of the Sinclair Re-
f1ning Co., said his company would
spend a like amount on the Six
teenth street station.
I'VE feel our interests and those
Of the general public go hand in
hand in this matter" he said.
Several Oppose Bill.
John A. Remon, chairman of
the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission. opposed the
House-passed bill because ''it
would do through legislation what
the District Zoning Commission
has refused to do"
William S. Cheatham, general
counsel of the commission, warned
that the legislation might be held
discriminatory in a court test.
A representative of the Fedora
ton of Citizens Associations,
Lawrence L. Gourley, said the civic
body feels the bill would "over-
ride the authority and effective
ness of District government agen-
cies."
Mrs. Walter A. Sellers, 1899
Massachusetts, avenue NV, ex-
pressed the opposition of the
Cathedral hts-Cleveland Park