Evening star., 1950-02-14
Farmers Deny
Planning Need
In Montgomery
Upper County Men
Denounee Proposal fol
RuruI Commission

proposal to establish a planning
commission for rural areas at this
time.
They told the County Council
at public hearing they have
Jared very well without planning
in the past and want to con-
tinue to enjoy full freedom"
Many said they feared planning
would be an entering wedge for
regimentation. Almost all COM
planned that the proposal was
sprung on them in haste. 49, =
Under a proposal before the
council, a f1ve-member commits
sion would be appointed to plan
the development of Montgomery
outside the suburban communi-
ties. The suburbs are within the
Washington Regional District.
This district, which takes in parts
of Montgomery and Prince
Georges, is administered by the
Maryland-National Capital Park
and Planning Commission.
Some Merit Conceded.
Several farmers conceded there
may be some merit in planning
up-county. Other persons in a
crowd of $50 offered comments
ranging from outright indorse-
ment of the ordinance as proposed
to variety of notifications be-
tween the extremes.
Frederic P. Lee. council presi-
dent, explained the hearing was
called to determine first whether
there is need for the planning
and, second. If the need exists,
how planning should be done. He
said the immediate concern is
regulation of subdivision develop
ment.
Irving Root, superintendent Of
national parks in the area, de-
clared there is need for planning.
He expressed no preference as to
the agency doing it. Blair Lee
III. vice chairman of the Mary
land-National Capital Parks and
Planning Commission, objected to
too many planning agencies. II
planning is done up-county, he
declared. his group should do the
job. He said Mai. Gen. U. S.
Grant III, chairman emeritus Of
the National Capital Parks and
Planning Commission, is of like
mind.
Mrs. Derryberry Reports.
Mrs. c. M. Derryberry reported
the Montgomery County League
of Women Voters favors planning
and wants it done by a county
commission, which ?. the, council
names. This Is as preposed by
the home rule" ordinance.
F. Lathrop Smith, speaking for the
county Farm Bureau, expressed
Concern ever the 'intemperate
haste" which he said the council
has shown and the blank check
aspects" of the proposed ordinance.
Irving LIE Roy McCathran.
Mayor of Washington Grove, told
the council his community did not
want to be taken over by con-
quest" but would be glad to "go
along" on sound. planning and
coming. He sought and obtained
assurance from Councilman Lee
that the ordinance would not
abrogate the charters of towns
with respect to zoning rights.
Wilbert McInerny, lawyer
who lives near Travilah, de-
manded the reasons for the ordi-
nance.
who is behind it?" he in
quired. 1--WE who live upcounty
want to know why we are to be
controlled. Not having asked for
it, we think zoning should not be !
imposed on U.S." =
w. Lawson King, Gaithersburs
dairy farmer, criticized the
speed" of the planning move
ment but said there may be some
merit in it. He suggested hav-
ing the Park and Planning Com
mission make a survey of needs
upcounty but taking plenty Of
time" to act on any recommends
tions.
In the view of w. o. King of
Woodfleld, there is a great OBJ
session with people in thickly
populated areas to try to regulate
everybody else's affairs, even
though they don't know the city
folks living next door to them.
He said he wanted. no part of
planning and coming.
Others against the ordinance as
either in whole or in
part. included w. r. Stickel, of
Derwood; McKendree G. Fulks.
Gaithersburg; William Fulks, lay
louisville and James D. King, Ger
mantown.
NCACy SympdtufZeSs
Councilman Thomas ]. Kelly, a
farmer himself, observed:
II am in complete sympathy
with your views against regimen
tation. But some farmers are
coming to us and asking a little
regulation for subdivisions, and a
little regulation for something
else. Occasionally, one tells us he
is for planning, generally.
Under this proposed ordinance,
the council could create a COM
mission. But the commission will
make only recommendations for
a plan. The council you elect will
have to approve a plan to suit the
needs and wishes of you people
The planning COM
would have no authority
10 enact laws binding upon you"
The ordinance received unquali-
he'd Endorsement of Republican
Delegate John r. Reeves, who
pointed out that he opposed adop-
lion of charter government in