Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1950-06-08

Transmitted herewith is the Re-
port of the Rural Advisory Com
mittee.
The records of the Committee,
including all material obtained and
complete minutes have been
turned over to the office of the
County Council for use by any flu
ture planning authority.
The Committee desires to ex-
press to the Council it's apprecia-
ton for the complete freedom of
action with which it has been al
lowed to approach this problem.
The Chairman desires to add his
appreciation for the fine spirit of
cooperation and enthusiasm which
has characterized the Committees
activities from the beginning. The
fair-mindedness of the Committee
Members in their approach to the
problems and their generosity in
devoting much time to the many
meetings, investigations and stud
les has made the job of the Chair
man pleasant one, indeed.
Yours very truly,
Latfrop E. Smith, Chairman,
RURAL ADVISORY
COMMITTEE
Full text of the Report.
The Rural Advisory Committee,
created under the authority of
resolution of the County Council
for Montgomery County, Mary
land, February 81, 1850, began it's
meetings on March End. Its men,
bership is composed as follows:
l. Lathrop E. Smith, Travilah-
Farmer and Chairman.
2. Basil Medley, Derwood =
Farmer and Vice-Chairman.
8. Elsie White Haines, Laytons-
vile - Editor, Montgomery Coun-
ty Sentinel.
A. Malcolm H. White, Brooke
vile = Farmer.
5. Allie Messer, Gaithersburg =
Farmer.
6. Marshall Davis, Germantown
Farmer.
Z. Kenneth Windham, Woodfeld
Farmer.
8. Wilson Poole, Sellman =
Farmer.
8. William H. Fulks, Laytons-
vile = Farmer.
10. Irving Leroy McCathran,
Travilah-Farmer and Chairman.
Councilman Thomas c.. Kelley
acted as liaison between the Com
mittee and the County Council.
A considerable amount of mater
ial was examined and a number of
individuals were interviewed. After
q careful and diligent considera-
ton of all facts gathered and opin-
ions obtained, the Committee has
reached decision and now sub
mits the following recommended
lions.
Q) 1t is the unanimous opinion
of this Committee that there does
exist in upper Montgomery County
a definite need for planning.
q The Committee finds there is
need for minimum standards for
structural safety and for electrical
and plumbing installations in thea
tiers and other places of public as
sembly, in private schools, in nurs-
ing and convalescent homes and in
commercial and industrial build
ings.
(3) 1t is the recommendation of
this committee that this need be
met through the establishment of
an unpaid Planning Commission
appointed by the County Council.
This Commission to be composed of
reidents of the area affected, no
less than three of whom shall be
farmers, as long as the area affect
ed remains predominantly rural.
This Committee, in its approach
to this problem, has made no effort
TO go into technical matters nor
detail, but has sought only to reach
conclusions regarding the specific
question requested of it by the
County Council. Careful consid-
Grafton has been given to the tran
script of the record of the public
hearing held by the Montgomery
County Council on February 10,
1850, in the matter CT Proposal
20 Create an Upper Montgomery
County Planning Commission"
Numerous persons have appeared
before the Rural Advisory Commit
tee and have supplied valuable in
formation. Many planning and
coming laws of other political sub
states, counties and cities
have been considered from which
this Committee has accumulated
data. 1t is the unani-
nous opinion of the members of
this Committee that there does
exist need for planning in the
Upper County and that this need is
reasonably urgent, owing to the
rapid growth and expansion of the
Metropolitan Area Of the County.
1t is felt that the rural aspect !
Of the Upper County should be pre-
served for the best interest of the
County as a whole.
Aa) Changes in land use should
take place gradually as demand or
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