Evening star., 1950-05-02
S8OO,OOO Bonds
For Parking in
Bethesda Asked
Bill for Lots Before
Legislative Session
Of County Council

issue to establish public parking
lots in the Bethesda business dis
trict is contained in a bill before
the 1850 legislative session Of the
Montgomery County Council.
The bill was one of nine intro
duced yesterday as the Council
opened its 30-day law-making
session.
One resolution also was offered.
Council President Frederic p. Lee
proposed that the Montgomery
County charter be revised so it
would be easier for citizens to de-
mand referendumS on questions
of general concern. He suggested
a reduction in the number Of sig
natures required on petitions for
referendumS.
Would Lower Percentage.
At present there arc two ways
to obtain referendum: BY Coun-
Gil resolution or by petition signed
by 10 per cent of the qualified
voters. Mr.. Lee proposes to lower
the number to per cent. which
would mean approximately $500
names on the basis of current
registrations.
In order for Mr.. Lees resolution
to become law, it must be SUBJ
mitted to the voters in a refer
endum of its own. If approved by
the Council it will be put to a
vote at the November election.
Mrs. Ralph E. Himstead intro
duced the parking lot bill. 1t is
patterned after the Silver Spring
off-street parking plan.
Her measure. No. IL on the
calendar, provides for the estab-
llshment of the Bethesda Business
District, taking in commercial
properties on both sides of Wis.
consin avenue between Bradley
boulevard and Chestnut street;
including all of the Woodmont
Triangle, extending along Old
Georgetown road beyond Battery
lane, and including property west
Of Wisconsin avenue as far as
Arlington road.
Calls for Tax Rate.
The bill calls for a tax rate of
40 cents per $l00 valuation on i'm
proved real estate in this district
and a rate of 20 cents on unim-
proved real estate. Mrs. Himstead
said it is proposed to establish six
parking lots. The council would be
authorized to operate parking
meters on the lots. If such action
were taken. it would be to dis
courage all-day parking by per-
sons who board streetcars and
buses at the District line for their
places of business downtown, Mrs.
HimStead said.
The bill would give a tax eX.
emptlon on tangible personal
property in commercial buildings
OF the district if the businesses
concerned provide off-Street park
ing facilities.
Councilman j. Douglas Brad
shaw yesterday introduced a bill
which would provide a similar
exemption in the Silver Spring
business district.
mem
All council members are spon-
sors OF a bill legalizing the Mont
gomery County Code of 1850. This
is compilation of general county
laws. laws on special taxing areas,
laws governing cities, towns and
villages; laws for the bicounty
district of Montgomery and Prince
Georges and Montgomery ordi-
nanceS and regulations. The 1.5O0-
page volume also includes the
county charter and sections of the
State constitution which have
specific local application.
These other bills were intro
duced yesterday:
BY Mr.. Lee-Technical changes
to l949 law relating to the adop-
ton of ordinances and regulations.
NDlII mo. 81
BY Councilman Thomas j. Kel-
ley-Striking the provision of a
law which requires that certain
revenue be earmarked for schools
and roads. The revenue is OBJ
tanned in fees fixed for public
dances, shows and entertainments
held for profit. Finance Director
Alex Hancock said the amount in
volVed is between $500 and 1000
a year. (Bill No. s.
BY Councilman P. Garland Ii.
gon-Permitting the county to re-
move debris from private property
II the owner refuses to comply
with laws and ordinances, and
then to charge the owner for the
work. (Bill No. g.
BY Councilman A. r. Selby--
Requiring property owners to re-
move weeds and heavy under
growth from their land along pub
lie roads. (Bill No. g.
BY Mr.. Ligon: Regulating the
use OF firearms by minors. (Bill
No. 10.)
BY Mr.. Kelley: Authorizing the
private sale of tax sale properties
after they have been offered at
least once at public auction. (Bill
No. ID
The council is meeting again
this afternoon in legislative ses-
sion, after which it scheduled a
routine weekly business meeting.
Other legislative sessions are re-
quired each Tuesday in May, be-
ginning at pm. The president is
pfnn0worad m ooh aId;|Sa-oI