Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-05-05


on the hottest civic controversy il
coming code.
On May 81, the District Zonil
which could run daily for as
regulations and maps proposed
by consultant Harold M. Lewis.
In back of the hearings will be
two years of bitter conflict over
standards to govern the use Of
every piece of private property
in the city.
The Commissioners Citizens
Zoning 4 Advisory Committee,
headed by Thomas ]. Groom, has
submitted q list Of So questions
which represent in detail the
complex issues involved. The list.
requested by District ofiicials. Is
printed below.
Stern Opposition Expected
A strong drive by business and
professional groups win be made
at the hearings to kill the Lewis
proposal. The National Capital
Flaming Commission last week
urged strongly that 1t be adopted
in substantially its present form.
Undoubtedly, q third drive will
be made to drastically amend
specific provisions Of the Lewis
package in the hope Of accept
ance in some form.
Generally the Green commit
tee reports have blasted the
Lewis proposals as so rigid they
would have ruinous effects on
property values. In another key
issue. they have accused Mr..
Lewis of using coming to bring
about major changes in city de-
velopment that should be de-
cided as basic policy apart from
coming.
The Washington Zoning Com
mittee, a separate property
owner group organized specifi-
cally to fight the Lewis report.
has hired traffic, architectural
and engineering consultants to
submit detailed analyses. indie
pendent studies also are under
way by numerous other groups.
Pattern Outlined
The District has asked those
who want to testify at the hear
ings to submit in writing their
main interests, so they can be
scheduled for appearance when
those particular coming proposals
are considered.
Assistant Engineer Commits
sioner Thomas B. Hunter said
the zoning Commission probably
will hear general statements
first. then proceed to a chapter
by-chapter study Of the Lewis
regulations. After that, it will
consider each of 10 new coming
maps. which apply the new zon.
ing claSsifications to specific par
GELS Of city land.
Following are the So questions
submitted by the Groom COM
mittee in an effort to highlight
for the public the major policy
issues:
BASIC QUESTIONS
I. Would the proposed Lewis
coming plan. If adopted. help to
produce necessary tax revenues
maintain land value stability and
maintain and create employment
within the District of Columbia
2. Would it encourage growth
patterns-geographic shifts and
merchandising changes resulting
from more efficient business
methods and new consumer needs
which make for an efficient
prosperous, stable. well-planned
city?
3. Would its proposed reduc.
tons in density and increase In
parking requirements aid in re.
development of the city, or woult
they encourage retention Of ex.
listing structures by making re.
development excessively costly
4. Would 1t encourage or dis.
courage the flight to the sub.
urbs" by District residents. bust.
nesses and Federal agencies?
5. Will the economic level Of
the residential and business in
terests in the city be able tt
afford any increased rentals or
residential and commercial prop.
critics which investors may re.
Quire if they are to build new
structures?
6. Does the proposed Levi
coming plan contain standard
adequate to protect residen'
tial property and small hom'
owners?
Z. Does the proposed Levi
coming plan 60 beyond the prob
lens that should be properl!
resolved by coming?
8. Is a period Of six months TO
filing of plans after Board o
zoning Adjustment approva
sufficiently long for a largl
project?
QUESTIONS OF PLAN!
SPECIFIC FEATURES
A. Off-Street Parking
o. Should parking in the cen
trail business district be handle,