Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1952-03-20
Women Voters
Take Stand on
Proposed ZOning

The League OF Women Voters of
Montgomery County, after a study
of the proposed new coming ordin-
ance for the regional district in the
County, went on record this week
as congratulating the Maryland
National Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission on it's "compre-
hensive job"
In commencing the Commission,
however, the group made the fol-
lowing recommendation for incor-
poration in the PPC's plan:
l. That a professional planning
advisory organization, such as the
American Society of Planning Of
ficials, be retained to make a de-
tailed study and evaluation of both
text and map of the ordinance. On
some technical and important
points, such as the planned COM
n1unity zone," regulations cover
ing airports, and the possibility
of eliminating some of what we
consider an excessive number of
special exceptions, we feel we
should have the benefit of addi-
tional professional advice before
the ordinance is adopted;
2. Endorsement of the break
down of the residential zones into
categories with varying lot sizes
and densities, particularly in the
multi-family zones where it will
provide some control over popu-
lation density and type of apart
ment house construction and ale
viate the threat of overcrowding
of schools, streets, and other serv-
ices;
3. That applications for desig-
nation of a conversion area be
permitted or denied, not by the
Planning Commission but by the
County Council since, in our opin-
ion, conversion of a home in a
single family residential zone into
apartment house, constitutes
a change in zning. 1t was recon-
mended also, that adequate pro-
visions, such as minimum front,
side and rear yards, specific re-
quirements for sewage and water,
to prevent eventual slum develop
ment and protect health and safe
ty, be included;
A. That parking unit, of the
type suggested by the Public Park
ing Lot Technical Advisory Com
mittee to the CountyCouncil be es-
tablished and charged with all
parking duties. Decisions relating
to parking and administration of
this section of the ordinance
should, in our opinion, be the re-
sponsibility of the local govern
ment.
1t was specifically recommended
that all commercial parking in ad-
JAG emit residential zones, when
parking is not available in COM
mercial zones, be by special excep-
ton only, thus insuring a public
hearing.
5. Notwithstanding the conten-
ton that provision terminating
non-conforming uses is contrary to
the Regional District Act, we re-
commend that dates be written into
the ordinance for the termination
of 'non-conforming uses, tn S e
dates to be based on amortization
of the original investment. A test
case should be made or an amend
ment offered to the Regional Dis
trict Act making such a provision
legal.
6. In addition, the league made
the following specific recommended
tions:
a. That there be greater distinc-
ton made between types of uses
permitted in local commercial
zones that the provided buildings
and general commercial zones.
b. That in the co zone W h C h
serves as transition between resi-
dential'and commercial zones, that
the provided building height of IS
TT. be more limited.
C. That in the co zone lots ad-
joining a residential zone W h
frontage on the same street have
front yards equal to those in that
residential zone.
d. That rooming and boarding
houses be handled similarly and be
allowed by special exception only
in RIA and multiple-family zones.
e. That the ratio of one dewlling
unit per 1000 So. #. of lot area
over commercial establishments be
decreased since commercial zones
have no yard requirements a n d
provide no minimum outdoor play
space.
f. That $50 coverage of the lot
area be the maximum permitted
in any residential zone including
R4O and RIO.
Illegal EvictiOns
On Decrease