The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-06-28
Need For Planning
Stressed at
Meeting
Housing Expected
to be Serious
Problem

City planning commission Friday
evening opened the way for definite
action TO meet conditions expected
to materialize as result OF con-
struction OF the huge Ford bomb
er plant. .
Need for planning to avoid ex-
pensive errors in municipal enter
prizes was stressed by Lynn Trout,
representing the National Re-
sources Planning Board, He met in
city hall with representatives Of
city and township planning COM
missions, municipal and school Of
iclals and representatives OF the
Ypsilanti Ministerial Association.
He pointed out a number OF prob
lens. the most serious of which.
he asserted. will be housing. He
said. as shown in Warren Town
ship. workmen do not drive 25 to
30 miles to their work and as many
as possible will seek living accom-
modations in Ypsilanti or its en-
virons. He pointed out that the
men will be well paid and that
there should be no reason for them
to live in shacks or trailer camps
IL proper homes are provided at
reasonable rent.
II was Mr. Trout's belief that the
bomber plant will not be a mere
boom" but substantial after
war industry making investment in
good homes for the workers of
prime importance.
Need for cooperative plan with
Ypsilanti Township was especial
ly stressed so that plans may be
made for expansion OF city facih-
ties such as sewer and water.
City officials were congratulated
on the excellent financial condition
OF the city and bonds to finance
new sanitary facilities We're recon-
mended. The fine financial stand
ing is not without its drawback,
however, as Il might reduce the
amount the federal government
provides TO meet the situation
here, 1t was pointed out.
There Is every reason TO believe,
Mr. Trout said. that some portion
OF the 100000 In public fscill-
ties bill will be allocated TO Ypsi-
lanti. The bill has passed the
House and Senate and awaits sigma
ture OF the President.
Traffic Problem
Traffic. already a problem in Yp-
SLANT. will become acute when the
plant is opened, he predicted, un.
less roads are carefully planned.
He recommended that there be
cut-offs constructed both to the
north and south OF the city. He
warned Of the necessity OF careful
coming along these trunklines. He
said that no business zones should
be allowed except on carefully Sc
lected corners and that parking lots
should be provided at a distance
from the trunkline and business
center so that the motorist will be
adjusted to trafilc before driving
onto hIghspeed lanes. He cited
surveys showing that 50 per cent
OF accidents on trunkline highways
are traced 10 roadside business
Establishments.
Mr.. Trout stated that Detroit,
through lack OF adequate planning,
now has four times as many stores
as It needs. that s4-iarge portion
Of them have tax deHnquencies and
that sufficient parking space "a not
provided. Ypsilanti has an oppor-
tunity 10 avoid such a condition by
careful planning to protect its
businesses already established here
and TO provide sufficient parking,
he pointed out.
With regard TO school problems
he advised board members 10 con.
suit state and federal departments
OF education relative to obtaining
financial help.
Other problems which will have
10 be met, he said. are recreation
and law enforcement.
Present Proposal
At the close Of the meeting Owen