Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-10
PROTEST REzON|NG
. ON ROCKVILLE PIKE
Residents Voice Objection to
Gas Station at Public
Hearing.
~ STAFF Correspondent of The Star.

DEL 1EODA, Mu., Jduudly ~
Residents of the exclusive Rockville pike
neighborhood appeared en- maSse last
night before the Montgomery County
Commissioners and vigorously protested
against the rezoning of the triangle
formed by the intersection near Rock
willie of the pike and the old George
town road to permit the construction OF
q gasoline filling station there.
The only voices raised at the hear
ing in favor of the projected gas sta
ton were those of the two attorneys
for the owner Of the property.
Taken Under Amusement.
After hearing proposals that the tri-
angle of land be acquired for a park
and threats that if the gas station is
permitted other property owners will
seek similar concessions, the commits
sioners took the matter under advise
ment and probably will reach a deci-
sion at their regular meeting a week
from next Tuesday.
The public hearing was held in the
Bethesda County Building. All mem
bers of the Board of County Commits
s1oners with the exception of Clagett
Hilton, were present. Lacy Shaw
president of the board, presided
The proposal that the triangle, con-
tanning SOAP square feet of land be
acquired for park purposes was made
by Mrs. John Holmes and Karl Corby.
Mr.. Corby suggested that the residents
OF the neighborhood, the county govern
ment and William A. Ostmann, the
owner of the property, all contribute
toward creating marker site of the
triangle and to the erection there at
some early date of a fitting designation
OF the gateway to the National Capital
Should Acquire Triangle.
I'VE must purchase this triangle" Mr..
Corby declared, land dedicate it to
some character, some event, an organi-
cation, the Old Trails Road or some
similar object. We have an unusual
opportunity to help beautify the Rock
vile pike and we must seize it."
e. G. Brandenburg, Washington at
torney, whose estate lies near the pro-
posed gas station site, characterized gas
stations as more unsightly than bill
boards, which the people of the coun-
tx are working to remove from the
SSghways. Already, he declared, the
residents of the Rockville pike section
have expended thousands OF dollars and
much time and effort to eliminate four
such stations.
The Rockville pike is Washington's
most beautiful entrance and within 10
years, If properly developed, will form
one of the most beautiful residential
sections in this portion of the country,
MIR. Brandenburg asserted. He pointed
out that If this residential development
is protected by zoning the value of the
property will increase and consequent
~ win yield more revenue to the county
from taxes.
Frankly" Mr.. Brandenburg said, 'if
I had known that gas station might
be erected beside my property, ] would
not have put 5 cents into home"
Organizations Voice Opposition.
Frank C. Smith, representing the
Rockville Chamber of Commerce, and
George P. Sacks of the Bethesda Cham
Der of Commerce informed the county
commissioners that their organizations
are opposed to any commercial en-
croachment. The Rockville body at a
recent meeting adopted a resolution
setting out that already there are suffi-
Gent gas stations between Rockville and
Bethesda and urging the Identification
of the pike as a gateway to Washington.
c. Griscom Randle, president of the
Rockville Pike Citizens Association,
read resolution urging the commits
sioners to refuse the rezoning appli-
cation on the grounds that a gas sta
ton in the sharp angle formed by
the two highways would constitute a
traffic hazard by obscuring the view of
motorists.
The owner of the triangle should
have applied for rezoning, if he wished
it, before the residential development
of the old Georgetown road, Frederick
Bradley declared.
Citizens Petition Presented.
Leonard Nicholson presented two
petitions, signed by practically every
resident Of the section, requesting the
county commissioners to refuse the re-
coming plea.
Mrs. Elisha Hanson said that she had
been offered handsome price for prop
erty on the old Georgetown road near
Alta Vista as a gas station site and
that she would be disposed to view the
offer favorably If the application under
consideration is granted.
Taking a like position, NJ L. Cope
land, owner Of the Rock Greek Nurser-
les, adjoining the triangle, declared that
he VIII petition Immediately for recon-
ing Of part of his land to permit the
construction OF a gas station II Ost-
mann's plea Is given favorable consid-
Grafton.
Mr.. Ostmann probably would agree
TO the proposal Of Mr.. Corby for a park
If properly compensated, Stedman Pres
colt Informed the Board of Commission
ers. Refusal to grant the petition would
work great hardship on his client, the
attorney said. He urged that not only
would a gas station not create a traffic
hazard, but on the contrary, 1t would
illuminate the intersection and safe
guard motorists.
Claims Only Three Affected.
Only three of the persons Directing
to the filling station possibly could be
affected by 1t. Mr.. Prescott pointed out
These. he said, are Mr.. Brandenburg,
Mr. Randle and John F. wilkins.
Charles Marbury, representing Mr.
Ostmann, said that his client has been
offered $500 for the triangle by a
gasoline company and that to refuse
the rezoning application would be to rob
him of a lifetime investment.
The hearing last night was an appeal
from the ruling Of the Maryland
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission refusing to rezone the prop
erty.