Evening star., 1949-10-22
GroupSupports
Bigger Bethesda
Apdrtmentzone
E. Brooke Lee Tells
Meeting $50 Acres
Is Reasonable

group OF BetneSda'S S key buSi-
nessmen last night enthusiastically
Endorsed proposal to triple the
amount of land set aside in the
community for apartment use.
AT a meeting called by the
Bethesda Chamber of Commerce,
officers and directors of Lions.
klWanis, Rotary and Civitan clubs
and the Montgomery County Rea,
Estate Board expressed unanimous
satisfaction with the proposal ad-
vanced by the Maryland National
Capital Park and Planning Com
mission. The same proposal is be-
ing fought by the Montgomery
County Civic Federation.
The apartment expansion plan
was explained to the businessmen
by E. Brooke Lee. vice-chairman
OF the planning commission, who
described it as reasonable solu-
ton for the looking needs
OF your community" About so
men attended the meeting.
Emphasizing his belief that
Bethesda should remain. pre-
dominantly single family COM
munity." Mr.. Lee said the plan
would mail down apartments for
all time and offer complete secur-
ity to single-family areas from
any possible threat of apartment
encroachment.
$50 Acres Called For.
The Planning Commission pro-
posal provides for an increase
from 191 to $50 acres in the
amount of land in Bethesda and
Chevy Chase which would be
zoned for apartment use.
This is necessary. Mr.. Lee con-
tended. because of tremendous
housing demands" arising from
expansion of the Naval Medical
Center and the National Insti-
tutes of Health, both in Bethesda.
Federal officials have said 5,7O0
employees will be hired at the
latter institution when the $4O,-
100000 structure. now under con-
struction, is completed.
Under the proposal, both sides
OF Wisconsin avenue from the
District line to Bradley boulevard,
a distance Of about a mile, would
be reserved for apartments to a !
depth of 400 feet. /
Mr.. Lee declared that unless
that land and a large tract behind
the new Woodward & Lothrop
store at the District line is re-
served for apartments. it will be-
come commercial. The present
Bethesda business area then would
"disintegrate." he said.
Opposes Federation View.
The businessmen action di-
rectly opposed that taken recently
by the civic federation. That group
asked for a moratorium on all
apartment construction. Both Mr..
Lee and Planning Commissioner
Donald E. Gingery declared that
without the support of business
men, the plan would die.
The officials discounted the ar
gument that apartments do not
pay their way. They said 95 per
cent of all single-family homes
fail to pay their way, too, if they
house any school children. They |
said commercial establishments
carry the brunt of taxation and
that businessmen are entitled to
the increased profits resulting
from population increases.
An estimated 10000 families
would be accommodated if all of
the proposed apartment house
land is utilized. for the purpose,
MIR. Lee said. He compared the
plan for 536 apartment acres in
Bethesda to the Silver Spring sit
uation. Mr.. Lee said the latter
community already has 538 apart
ment acres and 100 more soon
will be proposed.
But despite that, we consider
that Silver Spring is a balanced
community" he said.
In supporting the plan, several
persons emphasized their favor
able votes represented only their
personal views. Members decided
that each should explain the
plan to the organization he
represented.
The apartment proposal already
has the support of the Bethesda
Chamber of Commerce,