Evening star., 1950-06-21
County zoniing
Board Voted
In Montgomery
Five-Member Unit
Would Regulate All .
RuruI Development


Establishment of five-member
commission to adopt zoning, plan
ming and building inspection reg
ulations for Montgomery County's
rural area has been authorized by
the County Council.
The action, taken at the Coun-
ellis meeting yesterday, gives the
commission functions similar to
those now exercised in the sub
urban area by the Maryland
National Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission. Members will
serve without pay.
In other business the Council:
/. Heard a strong defense by
President Frederic P. Lee of its
bill setting up a countrywide
library system. Veto of the bill
has been urged by the County
Civic Federation and the Bethes-
da-Chevy Chase Branch, Ameri-
can Association of University
Women. A hearing on the matter
was scheduled for 1880 pm. July
"a in the Circuit Court, Rockville.
2. Was told by County Manager
Irving G. McNayr that the WASH
ington firm of Curtin g. johnson
has been awarded a $36,310 con-
tract for sidewalks along both
sides of Wisconsin avenue be-
tween East-West highway and
Glenbrook road. Work will begin
Monday.
3. ReScinded the action of the
former county commissioners who
had approved an application for
the rezoning from residential A
to c (apartments) of a lot on the
south side of Chevy Chase drive
west of Wisconsin avenue.
4. Abolished the County Hous-
ing Authority and transferred ad-
ministration of veterans housing
projects in Silver Spring and Ia
koma Park from that agency to
the county manager.
S. Took under advisement a re-
newed request by Rockville Mayor
G. La Mar Kelly, jr., for an in
crease in county payments to the
town for services rendered county
buildings in the municipality and
for county aid in the towns share
of costs on the projected bypass
of Route 240.
Definite Need" Cited.
The ordinance creating an
Upper Montgomery County Plan
ming Commission is in line with
recommendations of the Councils
Advisory Planning Committee,
made public two weeks ago. At
that time. the committee said
it had found definite need for
planning in the rural area. : sN%.
The ordinance provides that at
least three of the five members
shall be farmers, and residents
outside the suburban districts.
Four of the five are to be ap-
pointed by the Council president
with the fifth to be named from
the Council itself.
Mr.. Lee, in defending the library
bill, charged that some of it's op-
ponents have been guilty of loose
thinking that have not fully rec
ognized the facts"
Lee Sees Faster Action.
He took particular issue with
statements which he said con-
tended the measure would pre-
vent the Bethesda Library Asso-
citation from proceeding with it's
plans for a new library building.
THAT is not true" he declared.
ut is obvious that with the 3
cents of the Scent tax now set
aside for the library building re-
serve. it would take the associa-
ton at least 13 years to get enough
money for a new building.
Therefore, the library bill
would permit Bethesda residents
to get a new library far sooner
than under present circum-
stances"
He also claimed that under the
present system those living out
side the Bethesda library district
enjoy the benefits of the library
without paying the Scent tax.
The Councils bill, however, pro-
vides for library for the entire
western suburban district and
would tax every one in that area
fairly" he argued.
He also denied there would be
double taxation for Bethesda res
idents and that the bill discrim-
mates against that community by
favoring Takoma Park.
In supporting Mr.. Lee, Mrs.
Dorothy Himstead, sponsor of the
measure, said its provisions were
entirely satisfactory" to the board
OF trustees of the Bethesda Library
Association.
Mr.. Lee announced the County
Liquor Control Board has reported
net profit of 1896, 900 for the IL
month period ended May 81.