Evening star., 1953-07-16
H0nleOWnerS
In County Win
5 zonii!1g Cases
Encrouchment on
Residential Areas
Curbed at Heurinu

sUSO ~ tuSObtBIS
Prince Georges homeowners
fighting to preserve the resi-.
dental character Of their neigh
borhoods recorded five victories
today.
Their successes were achieved
yesterday in strenuous debate al
the county's monthly zoning
hearing at Hyattsville.
Hungry and weary after ar
uninterrupted session lasting
more than six hours, the county
commissioners adjourned in late
afternoon after granting IL other
zoning requests and three use
permits. The commissioners de-
cided to continue through the
luncheon period to lessen dis
comfort for scores of persons un-
able to find seats in their hear
ing room.
Winning delegations reacted
with roars of applause wher
commercial and industrial zon.
ings were denied. Most oppon-
ents of business encroachment
voiced essentially the same con-
tentions the county heads hear
each time they sit as a Zonine
board. Some of the stories are
those of new residents who
hardened to assurances of sales
men that theirs were exclusive
residential communities, never tc
be subject to commercial in
vasions.
New Problems Cited.
Others are pleas of longtime
residents. distracted and appre-
hensive at the prospect of change
after years of comparative Sc
clusion.
Usually, their arguments re-
volve around claims that apart
ments and business enterprises
increase traffic and utility prob
lens, prevent orderly develop
ment and depreciate their hold
ings.
Frequently. intense objectors
heckle and boo applicants and
their spokesmen. Attorney j
Frank Lillard, jr., a target yes
terday, struck at such practices
in a bitterly fought case.
"You should base your de-
cisions on evidence" he told the
board, without counting noses
and without being swayed by
the number of persons rising ir
protest"
The county is growing at a
phenomenal pace, he added. and
the premise that all residential
sections should remain so is un-
tenable.
Petitions Disapproved.
Disapproved applications con-
corning which the opposition
conformed to the general pattern
were filed by Harry L. Durity
attorney, for commercial zon-
ing of land on the south side o1
Crittenden street, Hyattsville
Francis Scott Key, for apart
ment classification of seven lots
at Prince Georges and Elm ave-
nues, Takoma Park.
Also, Peter A. and Mildred H
Grose, for apartment designation
OF two lots in Cheverly Forest
and Orvin D. Brunk and Ray E
Ogburn, for industrial zoning OF
a tract between Greenbelt and
Branchville roads. The commits
sioners refused the latter Pc
tition two months ago. Yester-
day, they also rejected a pro-
posal that it be rezoned for COM
mercial use. Commissioner w
Everett Marion did not vote.
The fifth negative decision
was reached on a somewhat diff
ferent basis. George Perry, for
mer bigtime Upper Marlboro
gambler, asked for commercial
zoning Of the Dixie Manor Club
property on Suitland road near
Morningside.
His counsel. George T. Bur-
roughS, said the one-time Dem
ocratic headquarters would be-
come a restaurant.
Feared Night Spot.
Attorneys Earle T. Lombard
and John H. McAllister, aided
by several members of a large
delegation, opposed the applica-
ton. They said they feared
the place would be used for q
night spot "or some other busi-
ness"
Zoning petitions were approved fol
Norman Casselle. agent, two lots Cedar
Heights; residential to commercial; An
and Ida M. Dommisse, Noah L. and Helen
Simmons, land at Southern avenue and
Wheeler road. residential to commercial
two lots Fairmount Heights. residential
to commercial: Theodore j. Brown, 10.
seph D. Ashton and Milton Gillespie, two
lots Seat Pleasant residential to apart