Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-16
RESIDENTIAL AREA
SIGNS ARE OPPOSED
County Officials Propose
Cleanup In Metropolitan
District.
By WILLIAM Y. wHEATLEY,

stan Correspondent of The Star.
SILVER SPRING, Md. June Is
Wiping Of all signboards from the
roadsides of all of the main highways
in the metropolitan district of Mont
Romery and Prince Georges Counties
which are zoned residential, will be
sought by oficials of the Maryland
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission. 1t is understood that such
q move viii be strongly pressed at the
meeting to be held here next Wedneg-
day between the commissioners OF both
counties, the members and officials of
the planning commission and represent
atives of the signboard companies
which have boards in the two counties.
While the law and regulations are ex-
plicit as to the location of signs in the
residential areas, nevertheless the of
ficialS are disposed to 60 slowly and at
tempt to show the signboard repre-
sentatives that they are appreciative of
the fact that they have an investment
IN the business, which they do not want
to compel them to wipe out at one
sweep. On the other hand, it was
pointed out that while the companies
have a large amount of money tied up
in this business nevertheless that part
Of their business in the metropolitan
areas Of the two counties is but q small
fraction OF the whole, and that 1t could
hob seriously hamper them.
Sentiment Against Signs.
But there is public demand, in this
section, rs well as in many others
throughout the country, that the sign
boards 60. They blot the Landscape to
such an extent it was added, that it is
questioned as to whether the advertising
on the boards does any good, particu-
larry with public resentment growing
against them all the time. That some
of the companies which pay for this
advertising are beginning to see it in
this light was indicated by information
in the hands Of the Planning Commits
sion, which shows that one large COM
pany, doing Nation wide business has
voluntarily removed thousands Of its
large signs from the roadside in Cali
fornia, and, for the reason, it was said.
that the public is against such OBJ
structions to the view of the landscape
b motorists travelling the roads.
=, Just what sort of a program will be
aid before the signboard company rep
reSentatives at the meeting next Wed
neSday has not been definitely decided
but the ofncials are to have several con-
ferences prior to the meeting, and it is
quite certain that they will have a
definite plan 1t is probable that the
companies will be asked to remove all
they are prohibited under the coming
regulations, and given to understand
that they may erect as many signs as
possible in the commercial zones.
Most of the lengths of the highways
within the metropolitan district are
residential under the coming plan adopt
ed for the area The commercial areas,
for the most part, are in the towns. IT
Ia the hope of some of the of1cials who
have been giving serious thought to the
problem that the boards along the
Rockville pike as far as the town of
Rockville and along Georgia avenue
road as far as Norbeck and probably
along the Colesville road may be elm
mated
Not only have the ofIicials been study
ing the question in It's general applica-
ton, but they have been touring the
roads and making tabulation OF the
signs and studying the effect Of hiding
the scenery. They will have complete
data at hand from their own inVestiga- 4
ton when the meeting convenes on
Wednesday but this is expected to be
supplemented by data which the sign.
board companies have been asked to
submit at the time.
Conferences have been held with Of
ncials Of the District of Columbia on
the matter and the planning commits
sion officials have learned. 1t was said,
that that municipality will not issue,
and has not issued for many years, any
permits for such signboardS What
boards are UP have been there for years
and when they deteriorate they must
90. as permits will not even be issued
for repairing them.
Such q plan, 1t Is understood, Is the
ultimate goal of those interested in the
matter in the metropolitan district. but
20 far the law only provides for elimina-
ton in residential areas. It was point
ed out that as the metropolitan district
is a part OF the Greater National Capt.
tai, and to follow out the general scheme
of improvement, IL the District of Co
I1rnbia prohibits these boards, then the
metropolitan district should prohibit
them eventually.
Regarded UnsightIy. :
Not only are the large signboards
rcpulSive. but the practice of plastering
old barns and abandoned buildings in
the area with scores of small signs is
very Objectionable. and steps will be
taken to have such shacks cleaned up.
These places, it was pointed out by
those familiar with planning conditions,
furnish greater blot to the landscape
even than the large signs which are
carefully maintained by the signboard
companies.
OfdcialS of Montgomery County are TO
make further tours of the roads before
wednesday to study the problem in de-
tail, so that every bit Of available in
formation will be in their possession.
Some officials of the signboard COM
panies will accompany the ofilcials, and
the matter will be discussed in pre-
liminary way prior to the oficial gath
ering, when the whole matter will be
brought to a head
Although such signs will be permitted
IN the commercial zones, it is doubtful
whether there is room enough even
there for the replacement Of as many
signs as it is proposed to eliminate in
the residential areas along the roads.
But this will be matter for discus
sion at the meeting, and the effect OF
the proposed discarding of the roadside
signs in such sections is expected to be
brought to the attention of the oficials
by the signboard companies, through
their representatives.