Evening star., 1938-12-02
BY JACK ALLEN.

commissioners today rcScinded its
previous action to legalize countless
zoning infractions which have been
committed in the county since or
dinances designed to insure CO.
ordihated development Of the com.
munity were adopted 10 years ago.
Converting in Rockville for q spe-
cial meeting. the commissioner
voted to rescind the resolution
through which they proposed to
| validate non-conforming uses OF
prcperty-uses not in keeping with
the soning regulations for q partic-
ular area.
Their action ended almost as sud-
denly IS 1t had begun 4 bitter con-
troversy which arose following the
resolutions passage by the board 10
days ago. That action incensed
civic leaders and property owners,
who contended the entire planning
structure Of the county would be
destroyed and property values would
depreciate If the proposal carried.
Prosecutions Urged.
Soon after the, county commits
sioners' action became known q dele
CATION of Montgomery resident.
made a surprise appearance before
the MarylandNationa Capital Park
and Planning Commissions meeting
In the Tower Building, Washington,
to insist that immediate steps be
taken to prosecute all zoning vio-
lators.
George N. Palmer, chairman of
the planning board, told the delega-
ton after its spokesmen were heard
that his commission had discussed
the prosecution of 1oning violators
earlier in the days session and
would do what 1t can to punish those
guilty Of infractions.
He said the planning board also
:ontemplates asking the State Lesis-
lature when it convenes next month
to broaden the boards powers to
give it full authority to proceed
against those who violate soning
ordinances. At the present time
the board itself has no authority to
prosecute.
Frank H. Karn, president Of the
county commissioners, told The Star
he also planned to confer today With
F. Barnard Welsh. counsel to the
commissioners, relative to proceeding
against Peter Fritx, proprietor of an
inn located In = residential zone 1T
Wheaton.
Mr.. Fritz obtained an injunction
restraining ofncials from interfering
with the operation of his establish
ment after q warrant charging him
with . soning violation was obtained
some time ago. The Injunction was
dissolved In Circuit Court and Mr..
Fritzs attorney appealed the case,
but on October ID the appeal was
withdrawn.
County officials said today the
warrant against Mr.. Fritz Is still
standing.
Parks Issue Up Again.
The $500. 900 Federal allotment for
park extensions in Montgomery and
Prince Georges Counties-which has
occupied the spotlight throughout
the dispute over the commissioner
zoning proposal-again appeared in
the picture today.
During their session at Rockville
the commissioners took steps that
will permit Montgomery to receive
its share Of the allotment, which has
been approved by the National
Capital Park and Planning Com
mission and is ready for release
to the counties.
Members Of the board authorized the
Maryland Park Commission, which
supervisss park development in the
two suburban communities and also
serves as an advisory body on zoning
problems, to issue bonds guaran-
teeing payment to the Federal Gov
eminent of that portion Of Mont
gomery's 5000, 900 share of the allot-
ment that will be received in the
form of a loan.
Delay Threatened.
1t was officially stated at the out