Evening star., 1946-01-08
HIIwood Group
Asks Immediate
.zoning Law Test
Citizens Head Says
Fairfax Ordinance
Hos Been Voided

The Hillwood Citizens Association
last night urged Fairfax County Of
ficials to make an immediate test.
through civil suit, of the county
coming ordinance validity.
Paul D. Miles, association presi-
dent, told the group the county has
no zoning ordinance since Leon
Bazille ruled two months ago in a
criminal case that the ordinance
was unconstitutional.
Mr.. Miles said Commonwealth
Attorney Hugh B. Marsh had been
instructed by the Board of Supervis-
ors to file a civil suit, which could
be taken to the State Court of Ap-
peals, to test the zoning law, but
has taken no action. A criminal
case concerning the zoning law may
not be appealed.
Attorney Called Reluctant.
Edward c. Knouse, member of the
Falls Church Council, and chairman
of the Planning Commission, told
| the group that Mr.. Marsh seems re-
luctant to proceed in the case"
Mr.. KnouSe said the State PLAN
ming authorities at Richmond ap-
peared to be disturbed by the Bazille
decision and are planning model
State ordinance. He further declared
that Fairfax County has "a lacka-
daisical spirit about the whole mat
ter of coming
The association adopted resolu-
ton commencing the Board OF
Supervisors for ordering a prop
erty. reassessment and its request
| for legislation to establish per-
manent assessment board. The
group also approved the resolution
recently adopted by the Fails
Church Parent-Teacher Association,
calling for general improvement in
county schools during the next
year.
| Curfew Ordinance Talked.
The question of a proposed cur
few ordinance for Falls Church was
discussed by the group and mo-
ton to appoint a committee to study
recreational facilities for children
as substitute for curfew was
passed by the group.
Falls Churchs proposed new town
charter was explained by Ralph
Ley, president of the West End
Citizens Association and chairman
of the committee which has drafted
the new charter. The charter will
be discussed at a Council meeting
Thursday and at a mass meeting
January 81.
/ In explaining the charter, Mr..
Ley said the towns ordinances are
"out of date and in a deplorable
state of affairs" He declared that
the new charter sets forth for the
Town Council the powers which are
granted to towns by the Constitu-
ton and State code of Virginia. He
stated that there was no intention
to impose new taxation or give ths
Council the power to levy any in.
crease in the S1.50 rate now en-.
forced.
Powers Are Listed.
| After stating that under the new
charter the Council setup is the
same with members being elected
and appointed to fill vacancies, Mr..
Ley listed the following specific
powers which are granted the Town
Council:
| l. The right to hire an adminis-
traitor or town manager.
2. The right to own and operate
an airport.
| 8. The right to appoint an in
spector of weights, measures and
foods.
4. The right to own and operate
water works and public utilities.
Mr.. Miles, in commenting on the
charter, said he favored its adop-
tion although it was not "a final
answer to sthe towns problems. IS
The association recommended that
the charter be printed for public
distribution before the public hear
inc Iaplloru 81