Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1956-12-06
Propose M-NCPPC



A broad reorganization of the
Maryland-National Capital Park
and Planning Commission, includ-
ing extension of its jurisdiction
to include all of Montgomery and
Prince Georges County and added
powers, has been recommended
by the commissions four-man
Special Legislative Committee.
In releasing the 15-point pro-
posal the Commission withheld
its endorsement and labeled some
Of the recommendations "unac-
ceptable" The proposals, in their
final form, will be given the
Montgomery and Prince Georges
County delegations to the State
Legislature for introduction at
the Legislatures January session
On the legislative committee
rare j. Bond Smith, the MNCPPC
general counsel, Jesse F. Nichol
son, secretary-treasurer, William
c. Burrage, director of planning
and j. B. Zatman, director of pub
lie relations.
The recommendations largely
follow those submitted recently
by Segoe Associates, planning
consultants of Cincinnati, Ohio
The committee however rejects
the Segoe proposal to increase
Commission membership to Il
with five members handling Mont
gomery County problems and five
handling Prince Georges County
problems.
Such a step would destroy the
regional planning unit" states the
committee.
The jurisdiction of The
MNCPPC is now restricted to The
urbanized areas of the two coun
ties.
The committee also asks tina
the MNCPPC be given authority
to redevelop areas suitable fol
clearance" The commission
should be able to float bonds t.
purchase the areas and to resell
them to private and public group
for redevelopment, the committe,
suggests.
The legislative group wants ;
plan for eliminating structure
that do not conform to zoninl
rules. Non-conforming sign
might be pulled down in tire
years, frame structures in 20 t
Is years, masonry buildings in 3
to 35 years, and steel frame builC
ings in so years, the committe
suggests.
Only 2/3 vote by the govern
ing body of Montgomery o
Prince Georges County ought t
be able to over-rule a recommer
dation of the MNCPPC, the con
mittee proposes.
In addition to the Is recon
mendations for legislation, tn
group states that the commissio
needs more money for park d'
velopment and suggests that tn
needed funds be collected by e
Their increasing the park tax c
: from contributions from the tw
: counties.
The committees other legisl;
tive proposals:
. Revise coming hearing proc
; dures to reduce the number {
: hearings.
. Install the merit system fC
employees.
. Require a preliminary pl;
), as well as a subdivision recon
: plat from developers.
;, . Retain street naming autho
ity but delegate house numberir
> to the county governments.
Q Eliminate conflicts in Il
commissions enabling act and Il
State Constitution if the iurisdi
ton is extended to all of bo
counties.
G . Re-enact legislation esta
). fishing the MNCPPCs region
and metropolitan districts as pa
A" of the Annotated Code of Publ
h General Laws.
Y . Permit the commission to
!; sue bonds up to one per cent
!: the assessable base in the metz
d politan district.
/. . Provide for compulsory de,
cation of land for public use
d subdivision regulations.
; . Clarity salary provision f
: secretary-neasurer and perm
:. commission to set pay of gener
{ counsel.
. Change name of Mast
). Road Plan" to Master Plan
;. Highways as Part of the Gener
q Plan"