ZONING

At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts held on March 10, 1953, the Secretary reported that a notice had been received from the Zoning Commission of the District of Columbia advising that a meeting of that Commission was to be held on March 11th, and that Chairman Finley had designated him to represent the Commission of Fine Arts at the meeting. He stated that the important item on the agenda of the meeting was the question of amending paragraph 11, section XIII, of the Zoning Regulations, so as not to permit elevator penthouses over the 130 foot height.

After some discussion, the Commission asked Mr. Peets to draft a resolution, which was adopted, as follows:

The Commission of Fine Arts is not concerned with the legal, financial, or technical aspects of building height limitations. We are concerned only with the aesthetic factor and in Washington that is a very inportant one. We believe that Washington is fortunate in being a relatively low construction city. Low construction adds to the city's order and dignity, gives us plenty of light and air, makes an appropriate setting for the monumental buildings, and helps to attract visitors.

In our opinion the present legal height limitations in the central area have reached-and perhaps exceeded the aesthetically desirable limits. We believe that Washington gains aesthetically by every decision that maintains the low construction character of the city.

The Secretary presented and read this resolution at the meeting of the Zoning Commission on March 11, 1953.

ALTERATIONS OF THE WASHINGTON BUILDING

At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts, held on May 15, 1953, the Commission considered alterations proposed in this building (Application No. 1563, dated April 13, 1953).

The design contemplated enlarging the office space of the Interstate Building Association, and altering the exterior of the street floor or the northwest corner of the Washington Building in a contemporary office building style. As part of the modernization, it was proposed to place an advertising sign 34 feet long on each of the New York Avenue and 15th Street facades.

Prints of the design were sent by the Secretary to the architect members of the Commis

sion, who disapproved it. They emphasized the necessity for a harmony of appearance in the facade of the Washington Building, itself, and in relation to the monumental buildings in this locality. They also advised keeping the advertising signs to a limit of 25 square feet, in accordance with Shipstead-Luce Act Regulations.

The Commission unanimously decided that the design should receive further study, and suggested that the basic principle should be an attempt to effect harmony between the new alterations and the existing design of the building. To effect this harmony, the Commission suggested the following expedients:

1. The decorated cresting which crowns the glass front of the first story should be continuous around the two facades of the building.

2. At the corner of the building, the present glass display space should remain except where two openings are needed to give access to the vestibule. These doorways should be placed as far as may be practicable from the point of intersection as the Building Code allows.

3. Column 1, shown in the plan, should remain in its present state.

4. The advertising sign should be reduced in area so that neither sign exceeds more than 25 square feet.

A revised design was submitted by the architects carrying out these recommendations and was subsequently approved by the Commission.

FOGGY BOTTOM HOUSING AND OFFICE BUILDING

DEVELOPMENT

Early in the year 1953, the Commission was informed of a proposed multistory building development to comprise 1,000 living units in a series of buildings, and a group of office buildings, at the intersection of New Hampshire and Virginia Avenues NW., and extending westward toward the Rock Creek Parkway and the Potomac River. It was pointed out that the location is now a slum area and occupied also by several large gas tanks.

The Commission regretted the idea of encroachment on the so-called "Public Buildings Area", which, was planned for development as part of the central area of the National Capital.

At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts held on May 15, 1953, the Commission conferred with Mr. John Nolen, Director, National Capital Planning Commission, concerning the proposed apartment and office building at the above-mentioned location. In view of the

magnitude of the project and its location adjacent to the Rock Creek Parkway and the Potomac waterfront, the Commission expressed the desire to have the views of National Capital Planning Commission in this matter, particularly as it would concern the proposed bridge development from E Street extended, across Theodore Roosevelt Island to Virginia.

Mr. L. L. Hunter, Acting Supervising Architect, and Mr. J. A. Hagemann, site planner, of the Office of Public Buildings Service, General Services Administration, also were present.

Mr. Nolen stated that the National Capital Planning Commission had not taken action as to the project. He expressed concern over the proposal as follows:

(a) It is an encroachment on a Government building area, especially as regards the waterfront development along the Potomac to Georgetown. A series of low semipublic buildings have been suggested by Hon. W. E. Reynolds, Commissioner of Public Buildings, as a continuation of those now along Constitution Avenue. Purchase of land to take in the Heurich Brewery is now being negotiated by the Government, Congress having made funds available for this purpose.

(b) The typical apartment house would be 235 feet high from grade, about half as high as the Washington Monument, and it would be 100 feet higher than the Lincoln Memorial, the elevation of which is 140 feet.

(c) It would exceed the height of buildings allowed under the Zoning Law and special legislation would have to be secured from Congress to permit erection of the building to a height of 235 feet.

(d) It would create a bad precedent in the District of Columbia, since apartment projects are proposed constantly.

(e) Attention was called to the effect of an apartment group proposed on the Virginia side of the Potomac, near Rossyln, across the river from the end of Constitution Avenue.

While the project awaits the outcome of a 6-months' option on the land (which expired in September 1953), Mr. Nolen felt it would be timely if the Commission of Fine Arts would

join the National Capital Planning Commission in protesting against the proposed high building.

A further extension of time of one year has been requested by the proposed builders and granted.

EXTENSION OF THE SHIPSTEAD-LUCE ACT AREA

At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts, held on May 15, 1953, the Commission conferred with Mr. John Nolen, Director of the National Capital Planning Commission, with regard to the preparation of a new map of the Shipstead-Luce Act area. Attention was called to the fact that no revised map had been prepared since the year 1939. The Secretary reported that since the enactment of the Law in 1930, there have been 1,600 submissions by the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, through the Director of Inspection, to the Commission of Fine Arts.

In this connection, Mr. Peets called attention to a complaint received by the Commission of Fine Arts recently concerning the inferior type of brick residences that were built along the George Washington Memorial Parkway adjacent to MacArthur Boulevard NW. He was of the opinion that the National Capital Planning Commission would not want to see encroachment on the Parkway continued in that manner, and would like to propose including it under Shipstead-Luce protection.

Mr. Nolen agreed that there are several places in the Metropolitan area of Washington, where it would be advisable to apply building restrictions through such legislative provisions as the Shipstead-Luce Act. He considered it a problem for study.

The Commission suggested that Mr. Peets discuss the matter further in cooperation with Mr. Nolen, with a view to offering desirable amendments for a revised Shipstead-Luce Act

map.

CHAPTER TEN✩

Ta meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts held on June 21, 1949, Chairman

A

Finley stated that Mr. Stephen P. Dorsey, an official of the Department of State, a resident of Georgetown, and president of the Georgetown Progressive Citizens Association, had come to him as the representative of a group of citizens who wished to preserve the historic character of Old Georgetown. Mr. Dorsey had presented Mr. Finley with the draft of a bill setting forth a plan for preserving the character of the area concerned. Mr. Finley in turn presented the draft for consideration by the members of the Commission of Fine Arts.

The Secretary called attention to a map of Alexandria, Va., and pointed out the area under the protection of municipal Ordinance in that city. He also showed a copy of the municipal Ordinance that is known as the Charleston (South Carolina) Charter. In each case the Ordinance provided for a "Board of Architectural Review" to which plans are to be referred for approval before a permit will be issued by the Inspector of Buildings.

The Commission discussed the subject. It was recalled that "George Town" was founded in the year 1751, and that plans were being formulated for its Two Hundredth Anniversary. Located at the head of navigation on the Potomac River, Georgetown became a thriving colonial town in the years after its founding, and had a population of about 5,000 at the time of founding the "Federal City," by President George Washington in 1791 at which time it became a part of the District of Columbia. Georgetown became a notable seaport in its day and numerous colonial houses were built by Georgetown families, several of which stand today and give to the town an architectural character and distinction of its own. Among them is Stoddert House, the home of the first Secretary of the Navy; Dumbarton House, the National Headquarters Building of the

Colonial Dames of America; Tudor Place, where General Lafayette was entertained on his visit to the United States in 1824. Georgetown was also the home of Francis Scott Key, the author of the National Anthem, and his house stood at the present site of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Many members of Congress made Georgetown their home during the early days of the Republic. The Commission agreed that the motive of Mr. Dorsey and his group was worthy of support.

A bill proposing the protection of Historic Georgetown was introduced by the late Congressman James Wadsworth, of New York, and it became law by Act of Congress, approved September 22, 1950. The Act reads as follows:

[PUBLIC LAW 808-81ST CONGRESS]
[CHAPTER 984-2D SESSION]
[H.R. 7670]

AN ACT

To regulate the height, exterior design, and construction of private and semipublic buildings in the Georgetown area of the National Capital

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That there is hereby created in the District of Columbia a district known as "Old Georgetown" which is bounded on the east by Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway from the Potomac River to the north boundary of Dumbarton Oaks Park, on the north by the north boundary of Dumbarton Oaks Park, Whitehaven Street and Whitehaven Parkway to Thirty-fifth Street, south along the middle of Thirty-fifth Street to Reservoir Road, west along the middle of Reservoir Road to Archbold Parkway, on the west by Archbold Parkway from Reservoir Road to the Potomac River, on the south by the Potomac River to the Rock Creek Parkway.

SEC. 2. In order to promote the general welfare and to preserve and protect the places and areas of historic interest, exterior architectural features and examples of the type of architecture used in the National Capital in its initial years, the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, before issuing any permit for the construction, alteration, reconstruction, or raz

ing of any building within said Georgetown district described in section 1 shall refer the plans to the National Commission of Fine Arts for a report as to the exterior architectural features, height, appearance, color, and texture of the materials of exterior construction which is subject to public view from a public highway. The National Commission of Fine Arts shall report promptly to said Commissioners of the District of Columbia its recommendations, including such changes, if any, as in the judgment of the Commission are necessary and desirable to preserve the historic value of said Georgetown district. The said Commissioners shall take such actions as in their judgment are right and proper in the circumstances: Provided, That, if the said Commission of Fine Arts fails to submit a report on such plans within forty-five days, its approval thereof shall be assumed and a permit may be issued.

SEC. 3. In carrying out the purpose of this Act, the Commission of Fine Arts is hereby authorized to appoint a committee of three architects, who shall serve as a board of review without expense to the United States and who shall advise the Commission of Fine Arts, in writing, regarding designs and plans referred to it.

SEC. 4. Said Commissioners of the District of Columbia, with the aid of the National Park Service and of the National Park and Planning Commission, shall make a survey of the "Old Georgetown" area for the use of the Commission of Fine Arts and of the building permit office of the District of Columbia, such survey to be made at a cost not exceeding $8,000, which amount is hereby authorized.

SEC. 5. Nothing contained in this Act shall be construed as superseding or affecting in any manner any Act of Congress heretofore enacted relating to the

alteration, repair, or demolition of insanitary or unsafe dwellings or other structures. Approved September 22, 1950.

The appointment of a Committee of Consulting Architects, as authorized in the "Old Georgetown Act", was the subject under discussion during a luncheon at The Octagon, on October 6, 1950, when members of the Commission were guests of honor of The American Institute of Architects. The following practicing architects were nominated, and were appointed by the Commission of Fine Arts that day:

Mr. Walter M. Macomber, Chairman; Consulting
Architect of Mount Vernon; former consulting
architect in the restoration work at Williams-
burg, Virginia.

Mr. Lorenzo S. Winslow, Architect on The White
House Staff.

Mr. Wm. Dewey Foster, architect, of the firm of
Howe & Foster, 1636 Connecticut Avenue NW.;
specialist in colonial architecture.

Chairman Finley expressed the hope, in behalf of the Commission of Fine Arts, that the provisions would be carried out expeditiously when submissions were received from the Building Inspector's Office.

From the beginning the Committee decided to consider each case or submission on its merit. The first submission was received from the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, through the Office of the Director of Inspec