Evening star., 1950-06-07
Rural Planning
Agency Urged
In Montgomery
Commission Would
Set Up Standards
For Subdivisions

ming commission with authority 10
set up building. zoning and sub
division standards in the rural
area OF Montgomery County was
being studied today by the County
Council.
The recommendation. presented
to the council yesterday By its
Rural Advisory Committee. was
the result Of 3i2 month study to
determine whether such stand
ards. now in effect in the subur-
ban area. should be extended to
the rural sections.
The council also announced 1t
viii hold public hearings at 7:s0
pm. Monday and Tuesday In the
Circuit Court room. Rockville. on
County Manager Irving G. Nc
Nayr's proposed 50 million county
operating budget and $40 million
capital budget for the coming
year.
Would Include Three Farmers.
Mondays hearing will be on
Mr.. McNayr's recommended ap-
preparations for schools. while the
hearing on Tuesday will concern
all other budget items.
The Rural Advisory Committee,
IN four-page report. said "defi-
mite need" for planning exists in
the rural area and that the need
should be met through establish
ment OF an unpaid planning COM
mission appointed by the council.
At least three Of the commission
members should be farmers. the
committee said.
In addition the committee found
a need for minimum buildins.
electrical and plumbing inspection
standards in theaters and other
places Of public assembly, private
schools, commercial and industrial
buildings and in nursing and con-
valescent homes.
The same holds true as far AS
subdivision control and coming are
concerned. the committee said.
With respect to coming, the group
advised classifying proper areas
for light industries. particularly
along railroad lines.
Right Of Appeal Noted.
The proposed inspection system.
however. should not apply to pri-
vate homes and farm buildings,
according to the committee, nor
should building permits be re-
quired IN incorporated towns
where local ordinances already
provide for such permits.
In all new subdivisions, the
c o N mittee said, reasonable"
areas should be set aside for
schools, Fairgrounds and other
public facilities, with the right
OF appeal to the council and
courts.
In discussing building. electrical
and plumbing inspections. the
committee recommended against
expanding the present service in
the interest of economy" In
stead. the committee said, certi-
flcates of compliance should ba
required from registered archi.
tects, plumbers and electricians.
Lathrop E. Smith. president OF
the Farm Bureau and chairman
OF the committee. told the council
that all 10 committee members
agreed on the findings. He adde's
that planning in the up-county
area was absolutely necessary"
IN view Of the rapid growth of tn.
Metropolitan Area. But he EN-.
phasized that the rural aspect Of
the upper portions of the county
should be preserved for the best
interest OF the county as a whole"
See Tax Reduction.
Both he and County Agent o.
W. Anderson expressed the belief
proper coming controls would help
reduce the tax load on farmers.
Mr.. Anderson contended that at
present. agricultural property near
subdivisions "is being taxed out
OF proportion to its actual value"
Under the committees recon-
mendations, he said. such land
could be classified as agricultural
and its assessments would be re-
duced.
Committee members, in addi-
ton to Mr.. Smith. are Basil Mob
ley. Mrs. Elsie White Haines, NAL
colin H. White. Allie Messer, Mar
shall Davis. Kenneth Windham.
Wilson Poole. William H. Fulks
and Irving L. McCathran.
In other business. the council
was asked by the Bethesda Chevy
Chase branch. American Associa-
ton OF University Women, to veto
the bill setting up a county de-
partment Of public libraries.
In letter. the AAUW branch
described the bill as unfair and
discriminatory In that 1t does
not treat all Of the existing library
districts equally"
Due to Become Law August Is.
The group also contended the
bill would prevent Bethesda-Cheyy
Chase residents from building a
new library by repeating the tax
which Is the source OF the library
districts revenue.
Unless the council acts other.
wise. the bill will become law
IS.
The following appointments
were approved: James w Banner
man. Riverdale, as a chainmar
with the Public Works Denart-
ment at $4,000 q year: John !
Bennett. Hyattsville, as A rodrnan
with the same department at sI-
9S0 year. and Jacob N. Mills
Baltimore. as an associate enpi-
neer with the dar1a rtrn.,.t -