Evening star., 1955-02-08


anticipated in the county by 1880,
and distributes them over Fair
fax's 400 square miles in way
that the planners think is best
for the future health and pros
perity of the entire county.
This part of the master plan
dealing with land use and future
residential development is a
unique feature-and the most
controversial.
First, Mr.. McHugh has divided
the county into two separate de-
velopment categories-open de-
velopment and close development
areas.
He places all future suburban
development on lots of one acre
and less in the close development
area. which covers about one
fourth Of the county closest to
Washington. He allocates 321,-
500 persons to the close develop
ment area and incorporated
towns.
Farming Section.
The remaining vast section of
the county in the open-develop-
ment area would be reserved for
agricultural and conservation
purposes. Mr.. McHugh proposes
that no lot smaller than three
acres be allowed within the agri-
cultural area. and no lot smaller
than five acres in the conserva-
tion area. Only 28,500 residents
are allocated for the open devel-
opment section by 1880.
This open development-close
development idea is completely
new to Fairfax County. There
never has been any larger lot
requirements than a half acre,
which represents the present ru-
raj category. 1t is an idea that
already is stirring bitter con-
troversy particularly among
some real estate-minded land
owners who fail to see why such
rigid requirements should be
placed on their property when
others a few miles down the
road can divide their land into
profitable subdivisions.
Two Major Reasons.
Mr.. McHugh has two major
reasons for recommending such |
careful confinement of future
suburban growth: Water and
sewers.
Water is Fairfax County's |
most acute problem. According |
to Mr.. McHugh, there just isn't |
enough surface water or we'll
supplies to serve all of Fairfax
County He believes the answer
lies in tapping the Potomac
River, possibly through the Dis
trict reservoir. This could give |
the close development-or sub
urban-section of the county an
adequate supply, according to
Mr.. McHugh. and well supplies |
should be sufficient for the thinly |
settled open DEVELOPMENT area.
Proceeds of a $40 million bond |
issue now are being used to |
extend sewers throughout most |
of the proposed close-develop-
ment area. To make these sew
ers pay for themselves. Mr..
McHugh insists it is essential to
put as much new development |
as possible along them. He rec
ommends no major new sewer
extensions beyond the $40 mil
lion program-only small new
lines as neighborhoods grow
within the proposed close de-
velopment area.
When the current $40 million
sewer system is completed, it
will serve about 10000 people.
Thus, the county is spending
$40 million to provide sewers for
10000 people at an average per
capita cost of $3.50 because de-
velopment is relatively scat
tered" says Mr.. McHugh in his
written report on the master
plan. He notes that the sewer
bonds must be repaid by service
charges. i
Must Serve 175,8O0.
The county's own financial
advisers who helped draft the
sewer bond issue proposal say
that the project must serve 175,-
300 residents to pay for itself.
Mr.. McHugh believes the close
development idea is not so illogi-
cal as some landowners might
feel. According to his report. 20
per cent of the county's area
already supports 10 per cent of
the population. 1t is estimated
that Fairfax now has a popula-
tion between 10000 and 10000. !
The 1880 ratio would be about the
same. according to Mr.. McHugh's
plan.
Within the close development,
area, Mr.. McHugh recommends
five residential lot sizes. The
county now has only three. The
single-family residential lots
would range from 10000 square
feet to one acre. He proposes no
new semidetached houses. Some
new apartment construction is
planned as follows: /. At AMMAN
dale on either side of Route 236
at the west end of town: 2. AT
the northwest intersection oi
Shirley highway and Eranconia
road separating business prop
erty from the Springfield resi-.
dental area; 3. On No highway
in the Hybla Valley section:
In the town of Fairfax: S, Two
parcels abutting the center of
Vienna; 6. Around the center OF
Mclean.
Residential use Is only Incl
dental in the open development
area recommended by Mr. Me-
Hugh. Most of it is placed IN the
agricultural category. where no
houses could be erected on lots