Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-30
Measure Providing Means for
Orderly Development of
County Is Passed.
UTILITIES FRANCHISE
PLAN Is INTRODUCED
Getty" Proposition Faces Defeat as
Bitter Fight Develops in
Virginia Legislature.
BY REX COLLIER,
Staff Correspondent of The Star.

Ball coming bill. stepping stone to
Arlington County's orderly develop
ment as part of greater Washing
ton," passed the House of Delegates
today without dissenting vote. Hav-
ing already passed the Senate. the
measure now goes to the governor for
signature.
Taking the final legislative barrier
one day ahead of schedule, the bill
was rushed through the lower house
this morning in easy fashion. 1t was
sponsored in the House by Delegate
Charles T. Jesse.
The new law. which it is understood
Gov. Byrd will sign this afternoon,
creates an Arlington County Zoning
Commission, under the existing Board
of Supervisors. with wide power for
the regulation and restriction of build
ing and property in the county.
Backed by officials.
The bill was introduced in the
Senate last week by Senator Frank
l.. Ball. 1t has the unanimous indorse-
ment of county civic bodies, the Vir-
ginia Park and Planning Commission.
the National Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission and the Fine Arts
Commission.
Sentiment for introduction of the
bill at the special session was crys-
talized recently as result of a con-
troversy over the proposed location
in Arlington County of an abatto.r.
At that time it was brought out that
the county was virtually devoid or
authority to control building.
Under the zoning law the board or
supervisors of Arlington County is
given full authority Ito regulate the
use of land and of buildings or other
structures and the height thereof and
also to establish building lines and to
regulate and restrict the construction
and location of buildings and other
structures.
Hearings Provided For.
Zoning of the county into certain
areas in which restrictions will be
made on the erection, reconstruction,
alteration, repair or use of buildings
therein, or use of land, is provided
for. Public hearings must be held
before such areas are mapped out ana
restricted. The board of supervisors
will appoint a special zoning commits
sion of not more than five members
which commission will be charged
with investigating and recommend
ing various coming ordinances and
orders.
The board of supervisors is pre-
vented from acting without the recon-
mendation of the coming commission.
The Circuit Court of Arlington
County is authorized to appoint a
special board of coming appeals. to
which property owners will have re-
course in the event of dissatisfaction.
The board of appeals will be COM
posed of five members, serving terms
of three years each. Further appeal
to the Circuit Court from decisions or
the appeals board is sanctioned. The
board of supervisors is given power
to appoint an administrative officer
and fix salaries of the various coming
officials or employees.
Utilities Bill introduced.
The Legislature today was pre-
sented with another bill of special
interest to Arlington County when
Senator Ball introduced a measure to
enable the board of supervisors to ex-
ercise authority over public service
in Arlington County.
The bill is designed to give to the
county the same rights of franchise
with regard to the use of public prop
erty as are now enjoyed by cities and
towns of the commonwealth.
The franchise bill provides that pub
lie service corporations make con-
tracts with the county for the use OF
public lands In connection with their
business. The measure is designed to
take care of a situation which has
arisen in connection with laying OF
wafer mains. The water board has
that the county has no rec
ord of gas, electric. and other lines
laid underground along county roads
and therefore is seriously handicapped
In using ditch-digging machines for
the laying of the new water pipes.
"City" Bill Faces Defeat.
Meanwhile, with the zoning legisla-
tion virtually out of the way, the
hattie between the Arlington County
Retter Government Commission and
Delegate Charles T. Jesse over the
announced intention OF de-
feating the "City of Arlington" bill
went merrily on today. with both
sides launching verbal barrageS
against each other.
Behind the smoke of the war
fare. the bill, introduced In the
Senate by State Senator Frank l..
Ball, was going forward to almost
certain death in the House. Members
Of that body point out that a local bill
stands no chance of passage at the
special session in the face Of opposi-
ton from the locality's own repre-
sentative in the Legislature.
Let him rave. I have no fear OF
his being able to fool the people Of
Arlington County" Mr.. Jesse said to-
lay in response to attacks leveled at
nim by Arthur Orr, prime mover in
he city referendum movement and
member of the Better Government
who came here yesterday
% carry the fight to the delegates own
amp.
Sees Issue "BeclOuded."
Orr issued statement last night
declaring that 1.-The real issue is be-
ng beclouded' and that "the question
10 be decided at this time is not
whether it is wise to incorporate
Arlington County as a city, but
whether the people Of the county
shall be given the right to decide that
question for. themselves"
The commission member came here.
ne said, for the purpose of verifying
Delegate Jesse's published figures as
o the amount of State aid received
,y Arlington County for roads. Mr..
Jesse had stated, he said, that the
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