Evening star., 1955-11-17

A decision IN the ong-Stano1ng
Cheverly (Md) swimming pool
controversy was delayed on q
legal technicality by the Prince
Georges County Commissioners
yesterday, after residents Of the
community argued for more
than three hours over the pro-
posed 500, 1000 project.
The commissioners took the
case under advisement during a
zoning hearing in Hyattsville
but said a Circuit Court Judge
would have to rule on whether
an application for. the pool by
the Cheverly Swimming Club,
Inc, has been properly filled.
The club, composed Of more
than 200 families, is seeking q
special exception to the county
zoning ordinance which would
permit 1t to build the pool on q
3,l-acre tract zoned for residen-
tial use behind the 2700 block Of
Crest avenue.
Advised by KahIer
A ruling by the commissioners
was postponed on the advice Of
County Attorney william H.
Kahler.
He said he believes the club
should have applied for the ex-
ception under coming code pro-
visions pertaining to private
swimming pool clubs, rather
than another section dealing
only with private. non -commer-
cial pools.
Mr.. Kahler raised the question
of whether the club should have
provided the commissioners with
detailed construction plans Of
proposed buildings at the site,
in addition to the pool itself.
c. Warren Giauque, planning
engineer for the Maryland Ma
tional Capital Planning Commits
sion, agreed q court should rule
whether the commissioners can
decide the case without knowing
detailed plans for the entire
project.
The club did not specify in its
application what construction
other than the pool is contem-
plated, Mr.. Kahler said.
Community at Odds
The pool has split normally
peaceful Cheverly into two
camps. with hackers Of the prof.
ect pitted against q group of
home owners in the vicinity OF
the pool site who contend the
pool viii depreciate house values
and constitute a nuisance.
Joseph 8. Cullins, jr., an at
torney, who Is president Of the
club. arrived at the hearing
armed with reams Of data In
tended to refute opponents
charges.
Mr.. Cullins said Prince Georges
is far behind other neighboring
counties in swimming pool con-
struction and said the Cheverly
area needs q pool for It's citi-
ZenS.
He scaid the pool would be 600
feet from the nearest homes and
"over TOO feet from its most
vociferous opponents"
The Edgemoor pool in Mont
gomery County, with homes
more expensive than those In
Cheverly close to the pool site,
was cited as proof that a pool
does not depreciate house values.
The proponents also pointed
out they would pave the Euclid
street approach to the pool, pro-
vide parking facilities, plant
trees and shrubs as a screen and
apply for annexation Of the site
by the town OF Cheverly so
activities at the pool could be
closely supervised.
1900 on Petition
Mr.. Cullins presented a petit
ton Of over 1,500 persons who.
he said, are In favor Of the pool.
The opponents were led by
lie Roy Pumphrey, an attorney.
who said the pool would bring
increased traffic to Crest avenue
and Euclid street and destroy the
quiet atmosphere Of the residen-
tial neighborhood.
This thing is being rammed
down our ttroats," Mr.. Pum-
phrey said. in insisting that the
club could purchase land else
where in Cheverly for the
project. He suggested q portion
Of a 10-acre tract recently pur-
chased by the town for recrea-
tion purposes.
He said the opponents would
support a pool in some other
Cheyerly location and added
that ut just is not necessary"
for the pool to be near the Crest
avenue homes.
Those speaking in opposition
were Harold ]. Straub. r. H.
Melvin. Mai. John d. CARING
ton. William Wales and Edward