Evening star., 1950-04-26
Fairfax Rejects
rkPIan for
Refuses to Foreeo
Toxes From Business
Development of Site

The prospect Of converting Lake
Bancroft into public park ap-
peared dim today in view Of an
by Fairfax County
that it could not forego the tax
revenue it would derive from COM
mercial development OF the prop
erty.
County spokesmen made the
statement last night at a m IT
ing OF the Northern Virginia Re-
eional Planning Commission. In
addition, questions were raised
about ability to finance a park
on the 60-acre tract.
Representative Smith. Demo-
crat, OF Virginia. and State Sena-
tor Charles r. Fenwick of Ar
lington told the commission that
financing the project would pre-
sent major problem.
Abandoned as Reservoir.
The Lake Bancroft property is
being abandoned by the Alex
andria Water Co. as a res ~rvoir.
John w. Brookfield chairman OF
the planners meeting. said a pur-
chase contract already has been
signed by building syndicate
which proposes to develop an ex-
elusive residential area there.
Park advocates hoped to find
some means of preventing the
commercial development. Fairfax
pointed out. however. that II II
were park the county would re-
ceive no tax revenue. whereas
under commercial development it
would receive substantial income.
AS an alternative to Lake Bar
croft, some citizens are urging ac-
QUESTION of the Bristow property
south of Annandale.
At the planning commission
meeting in the George Mason Ho-
tel, Alexandria, Mayor Albert NJ.
Orme of Falls Church urged the
group not to drop the park idea
but to look for other available
sites. He was supported by several
speakers from neighboring COM
and committee was ap.
pointed to study possibilities.
Runyon Named Chairman.
c. B. Runyon. Fairfax super
visor who reported his county
could not forego the revenue. was
appointed committee chairman.
Edward j. Kelley, Alexandria. was
named secretary. Other members
are S. E. McCrary. Falls Church:
Alfred E. Frisbie. Arlington. and
B. M. Gross, Arlington. They will
meet at 8 pm. May | at Arling-
ton Courthouse to study the park
authority plan. and to consider
recommending Capper-Crampton
Act amendments which would al
low Federal aid to Virginia parks
similar to that granted in Mary
land.
An area park authority was au-
thorized at the recent session OF
the Virginia General Assembly.
1t would have the right to acquire
and operate parks In any OF its
cooperating communities.
The planners last night also
considered legislation to re-
organize the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission,
pending in Congress.
Smith Advocates Plan.
Representative Smith said Viz
ginia communities should realize
the Importance Of having a repre-
on the commission.
A. E. Demaray, associate direc-
tor of the National Park Service,
said a Virginia representative
would give the State closer touch
with evolvement OF surrounding
area.
Nearby Virginia governments
have opposed existing plans be-
cause they believe on representa-
tive on the commission is made
quate.
Personally, ! think it would be
better to have someone on the in
SIDE looking out than being on the
outside looking in" said Repre-
Smith.
Dan Dugan, Arlington County
Board chairman. said he had been
against the planning commission
but now favored it,