RECORD OF TESTIMONY AND STATEMENTS IN RELATION TO 175 



NECESSITY FOR DISTRICTING PLAN 



seriously concerned in the safeguarding of property values and a growth 

 which will insure better and more stable working and living conditions. 



The districting of the city, as finally determined by the Board of Esti- 

 mate, should represent the highest standards which can properly be estab- 

 lished throughout the city, based upon a study of community conditions and 

 a forecast of the character of future growth. It would manifestly be unfair 

 to a locality to set its standards too low and attempt to raise them later 

 after the mistake had become apparent as a result of extensive building 

 operation. Under such circumstances the city would be placed in exactly 

 the same position in which it now is with respect to much of its built-up 

 territory. It is in the hope that this possibility may be reduced to a minimum 

 that we urge your serious consideration of the recommendations of the City 

 Club to your Commission, as contained in the communication of Mr. Frank 

 B. Williams, Chairman of its City Planning Committee, dated April 11, 1916, 

 in which we most earnestly concur. 



More stringent restrictions desirable 



We desire to emphasize briefly what we consider the three most serious 

 defects in your proposals, knowing that your tentative report was made 

 public primarily for the purpose of honest criticisms : 



(1) We believe you are inviting the defeat of your purpose to exclude 

 industry from business districts by permitting the use of 25 per cent, or 

 two floors, of any building in a business district for industrial purposes. 

 Two-story factories are possible, in fact, common in outlying boroughs. To 

 insure strictly " business districts," this allowance must be materially' 

 reduced. 



(2) Examination of the height district maps convinces us that there are 

 many districts, particularly in Brooklyn, where the height limit should be 

 set at a much lower point. When an area is generally built up with two to 

 four-story residence buildings, are you not encouraging an unnecessary 

 invasion by permitting eight and nine story structures? The stricter 

 standard should be established where possible. It is easier to lift a restric- 

 tion than to impose it later if experience proves it to be undesirable. 



Moreover, we must not overlook the fact that the height restrictions 

 imposed by your plan are not maxima. By stepping back higher buildings 

 may be erected if they are economically necessary-. But if there must be 

 such additional congestion, some amelioration should accompany it. That 

 is provided by the stepping back and increased court and area requirements. 



(3) The area limitation for residence buildings under Class "C" 

 should be more stringent ; especially for buildings under eight stories in 

 height. The requirements should be increased wherever possible. We 

 believe you will find it possible in a great many districts. 



We consider these phases of your report deserving of reconsideration ; 

 in fact, we feel that a revision along these lines is essential if the principles 

 underlying your work are to be carried out. 



Statement by Louis Schrag, March 28, 1916 

 Car barns 



Car barns should be excluded from the business districts. A car barn 

 not only ruins the block in which it is located, but also the block on either 

 side of it. Car barns should be put in the unrestricted districts. 



