RECORD OF TESTIMONY AND STATEMENTS IN KELATION TO 137 



NECESSITY FOR DISTRICTING PLAN 



in the direction of too great moderation and it is unnecessary, it seems to 

 me, to assume that with the opening up of future transit lines — all of this 

 fan-like system spreading in every direction — it is unnecessary to assume 

 that it will be natural to have anything like a repetition of the building 

 development which took place up in The Bronx when that was the only line 

 of rapid transit connecting up with the central part of the city ; and I am 

 sure that the Commission has been very moderate in its height and area 

 restrictions so far as the Borough of Brooklyn is concerned. I believe it 

 could safely go a little farther in that direction, and while that is not the 

 subject directly connected with my official work, it has to do with housing 

 conditions, to which in the past I have given quite a little attention. 



Stores on residential streets objectionable 



I think that a reasonable degree of separation of stores from residence 

 districts is desirable. Take for instance, the rattling through the streets of 

 delivery wagons. Of course, there always must be delivery service from 

 the stores to the residential districts, but if you have stores scattered indis- 

 criminately through the residence sections there is just that much more 

 noise and that much more danger of accident from the traffic that has to 

 go through those streets, and it seems to me that your Commission has 

 shown a very great deal of discretion in trying to separate the stores from 

 the residence districts, and yet not to put them too far away, but always 

 have them within reach, which, of course, is important. 



Statement by Clarence H. Kelsey, President, Title Guarantee & 



Trust Company, March 30, 1916 

 Need for districting 



I have no doubt that 'the city has a right to direct future building de- 

 velopment in accord with a well considered plan, and believe that it 

 ought to exercise it immediately and firmly. If it does not do so, it is 

 failing to protect itself and property values as well. Its present policy of 

 allowing every owner of real estate to do as he pleases with his own, is a 

 policy of self-destruction. 



I do not wish to discuss the plan in detail, and I do not think the Com- 

 mission should attempt to hear a vast number of property owners' individual 

 views as influenced by the effect of the plan on their properties and attempt 

 to reach a conclusion by reconciling these conflicting views, for the more 

 property owners discuss the details, the more confused the situation will 

 become. The Commission, if it is to succeed, will ultimately have to decide 

 for itself, on broad general principles, what is best for the city's future 

 development and adopt it without expecting to get the approval of a majo- 

 rity of the individual property owners. The conclusion should be based 

 on the general good and made effectual by right of the power of the city 

 government to do what is best for the city at large. 



I have no doubt that a great many property owners will see their 

 particular properties limited in usefulness and somewhat depreciated in 

 value, but if the plan is not adopted, I believe there will be a far greater 

 depreciation affecting a far greater number of people. 



On values as a whole, I have no doubt of the favorable effect of this 

 proposed control of the improvement and use of real estate. There has 

 been a great recession in values during the last five years, and it has affected 

 not only those who have gone counter to the new regulations sought to be 



