Evening star., 1949-03-16
Tighter zoning
Control in Sight
For Montgomery
Council Takes Task
From Planners, Burs
Chevy Chase Project
By John V. Horner

Tighter control over zoning in
Montgomery County is indicated
by three developments yesterday:
l. The County Council blocked
a Chevy Chase apartment project
authorized last December by the
Board of County Commissioners.
It announced plans to reconsider
the case. Observers said that ac-
ton provides a tipoff on the
councils inclination to hold down
residential rezoning and may
bring about a fight between real
estate interests and the county
government. The decision to re-
consider the Chevy Chase case
also opens a possibility of court
litigation.
2. The Maryland National Cap
ital Park and Planning Commits
sion climaxed a bitter dispute
with the council by washing its
hands of zoning enforcement. The
commission said it has decided to
make no effort to prosecute viola
tions of the Montgomery ordi-
nance.
3. The council Immediately ac-
cepted enforcement responsibility.
which it charges the commission
has shirked. The council is COM
mitted to a policy of strict COM
pliance with the ordinance.
First Opinion Handed Down.
In blocking the apartment prof.
ect. the council handed down its
first opinion in zoning matters.
The case involves the rezoning
of II lots in Rock Creek Knolls.
Chevy Chase, from residential A
to residential c. The petition for
Redistribution. filed by Mr.. and
Mrs. James Walsh Richards, was
approved by the former commits
sioners over protects of a large
group of citizens.
The Council said the commits
sioners had been inconsistent in
approving the Richards applica-
tion and rejecting a similar one
by another petitioner.
The case will be readvertised for
a second hearing.
Attorney Announces Move.
The Park and Planning Commis-
sion decision to disaSsociate itself
with zoning enforcement was an
nounced by its attorney, j. Bond
Smith. It furnished the first
heated verbal exchange in the new
Councils history.
Mr.. Smith read long state
ment by the planning agency in
which the Council was accused of
confusion" "indecision" and fall
ure to live up to an agreement. It
charged the Council displayed
shocking inability or unwilling
ness to recognize the nature and
necessity of co-ordinated plan
ming"
Council President Frederic P.
Lee, who once served as a men,
ber of the planning commission.
promptly branded the statements
incorrect" He chided the COM
mission for stating recently that
it would assume complete respon-
sibility for enforcement and then
suddenly changing it's position.
Special Legislation Required.
To set up its inspection machin-
cry, the council will have to pass
special legislation in May. How
the new expense will be financed
is matter to receive early study.
Acting County Manager Irving
G. McNayr suggested that the
council consider an extension Of
the Silver Spring public off-street
parking system. which he said has,
proved highly beneficial to all con-
cerned.
The council appointed a new
Advisory Committee of Health
consisting of six members. They
are DR.. j. w. Bird, Sandy Spring:
Mrs. Dexter Bullard, Rockville:
Allan B. Fay. Bethesda: Mrs.
w. w. Hnckley. Gaithersburg:
Walter s. Pratt. jr.. Forest Glen.
and DR.. Mark v. ziegler, Brooke