Evening star., 1951-06-23
Planners Hint
Hope for Burke
Airport Accord
Seek Extra Time
For Mediation Prior
To Report on Site
By Nelson M. Shepord


By Nelson N. Shepard
Eventual approval Of the pro-
posed Burke (va.9 location for
an alternate airport was indicated
today.
That is the Interpretation many
placed on the action of the Ma
tdonal Capital Park and Planning
Commission in voting to appoint
j mediation COMMITTEES to iron out
diffculties presented by objections
from Fairfax County officials and
property owners.
withholding an immediate de-
cision until further consideration
OF all problems involved. NCPPC
will ask Commerce Secretary Saw
yer to extend the 30-day deadlineI
under which the commission Is
called upon to report its recon-
nlendations. The agency wishes
to defer final action until its next
planning session. set for August 2
and August 8.
Whether an extension is granted
or not, the Civil Aeronautics Ad-
lninistration can make no COM
mitment on land purchases or
condemnation until NCPPC has
submitted its report. That report
will deal with the airport location
in relation to the comprehensive
plan drawn up for Washington
and its environs.
Arguments Heard.
At yesterdays planning session,
Fairfax County and CAA officials
presented arguments. Together
with the NCPPC, they will be
represented on the mediation COM
rnittee.
Ofhcials said questions to be
ironed out include the possible
effect of the airport on property
values, as we'll as the road network.
The proposed flve-rnile access road
to the airport from Shirley high
way is involved and the future of
State Highway 1913.
Thomas C. Jeffers, one of the
chief planning consultants engaged
In studies of the western ap-
proaches to the authorized East
Capitol street bridge, made prog
ress report yesterday afternoon.
The approaches would cut through
the 130-acre sports center. He
suggested that the circular parade
ground, central feature of the
area, be enlarged by at least five
acres. Originally it was designed
to be about Is acres in size.
Would Enlarge Lake.
The proposed treatment of the
sports center also calls for enlarg-
ing Kingman Lake for water
sports. More of the water area
could be preserved for recreation,
he suggested, by bridging the lake
rather than filling in sections.
A preliminary study of the
Kenilworth Freeway also was pre-
sented. The plan calls for widen
ing Kenilworth avenue from the
District line to Benning road and
then providing an entirely new
right-of-way from Benning road
to East Capitol street. This is a
vital link in hooking up that
area with the new bridge.
NCPPC approved the plan. in
principle, it was announced. It
probably will come before the
agency formally as proposed
change in the District highway
plan. That is the first step neces-
sary.
F John Nolen. jr.. planning direc-
tor, said the Kenilworth Ffeeway
plans call for a dual highway de-
velopment with a service road on
each side.
:. Property appraisal reports I'M
connection with extension of
the George Washington Memorial
Parkway and Little Falls Branch
Parkway also were approved.
Forecasts New Action.
That means steps will be taken
now to complete units 3 and 4
of the Memorial Parkway in Vir-
ginia from the end of the Spout
Run link to the Fairfax-Arling-
ton County line. The Maryland
NCPPC met jointly with the Fed
eral group in reporting on ap-
praisals for unit 2 of the Little
Falls Branch Parkway.
The situation affecting future
park land purchases was discussed
~ both groups of planners. They
concluded there is reason for con-
Germ over continuing developments
that are crowding in under areas
sought for park purposes. The
lack of sufficient funds to buy ur
these needed lands aggravates the
u