Evening star., 1950-01-01
Planners Modify Idea
For Apartment zoning
In Bethesda Vicinity
By John v. Homer

by John V. Homer
In an unexpected move, the
Maryland-National Capital Park
Planning Commission has decided
to tone down its proposals for
permanent" apartment coming in
the Bethesda Chevy Chase sub
urbs.
Major notifications are being
made in controversial recommen-
dations announced in September.
1t was learned last night.
An authoritative source said the
revised plan contemplates a less
extensive area for apartment zon-
ing than was proposed originally.
In September, the commission
urged that four large sections
totaling $50 acres-be set aside
Immediately and reserved for fu-
ture apartment developments.
Besides reducing the size of the,
proposed residential c (apart-
ments) area, the planning COM
mission now plans to remove the
permanent" designation. One
commissioner said population
growth is so rapid that it would
be absurd" to think a lasting
plan could be adopted at this
time.
10-Year Plan Adequate.
1--WE will do WE'LL" he said. "if
we can adopt a plan good for as
long as 10 years"
Interest is heightened in the
planning commissions new stand
because of change in it's mem
bership: E. Brooke Lee. the
Democratic Party leader in Mont
gomery County. retired a few
weeks ago and was succeeded on
the commission by his son, Blair
Lee III.
Brooke Lee made the first an
nouncement of the far-reaching
plan and, as its principal advo-
cate. delivered speeches to win
support. With Donald E. Gin
gerry, another commissioner, he
persuaded a group of Bethesda
and Chevy Chase businessmen to
indorse it.
But the Montgomery County
Civic Federation staunchly op-
posed the proposals. Other groups
and prominent individuals have
taken sides on the original plan.
The revised version will be one
part Of a master zoning plan for
Bethesda Chevy Chase which the
planning agency will submit to
the Montgomery County Council,
probably late this month. The
master plan will deal with. all
phases Of zoning classifications.
When it Is presented. the council
will schedule public hearing on
the recommendations.
The decision on notifications
became known as the Park and
Planning Commission urged the
County Council to defer action on
three apartment project applica-
tions.
These applications were filed by
Mrs. Virginia Casey for her father,
Eugene B. Casey, former special
assistant to President Roosevelt:
by j. Newton Brewer as agent for
heirs Of the Corby baking estate,
and by Milton c. White as agent
for the White Fathers of Africa. |
Hearings Set Wednesday.
The council has scheduled hear
ings at the Bethesda Service
Building at 7::30 pm. Wednesday
on the Corby and White Fathers |
applications. A hearing on the
Casey petition is set for January
IL.
Mr.. Casey wants the council to
re-zone 46 acres of land between
the Bethesda Naval Medical Gen.
ter and Connecticut avenue so he
can build a 100000 apartment
development. The Corby estate
also proposes a $4,000. 900 project,
providing 1900 units on the west |
side of the Rockville pike at
Grosvenor lane.
The planning commission held
the council should defer action
until it acts on the master plan.
The commission also recon-
mended that the council wait to
act on applications for rezoning on
the west side of River road, 800
feet northwest of the Baltimore g.
Ohio Railroad tracks. Commercial
and industrial applications are
sought for two adjacent tracts
there