Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-07-09


The priced access to new "r
was won by Arthur C. Keefer,
planning a big regional shopping
center on the old ODonnell
Farm.
The action was taken by the
former roads commission just
prior to its custer June Is Mr..
Keefer is a leading Republican
In Prince Georges.
Chief Engineer Norman NJ
Pritchett and the right-of-way
department both had been OPP
posed to granting the access to
the developer.
The commission has obtained
only about one-third of the 200
foot right-of-way for the new
highway.
Owner Reaction Feared
staff members in the past
have refused literally hundred"
Of requests for access to the road
that will parallel the Marlboro
pike, a commission employee said
They fear now that irate prop
erty owners along the route will
hike their demands for payment
for right-of-way and cost the
State thousands of dollars more
The 120-acre farm was pur-
chased by A. L. Goode. of Char
lotte, N c. in November, 1854.
Roads commission records show
the land is held in the name of
David Clark. Mr.. Goodies SON.
ln-laW.
Mr.. Goode recently opened
the first section of the9 65-store
Eastover Shopping Center at
Indian Head highway and
Southern avenue. He also OPP
crates the Fairfax Village center
on Pennsylvania avenue Sc.
and other centers in Charlotte
and Sarasota. Fla.
Intersection Involved
The Maryland-National Capt.
tai Park and Planning Commits
sion last February %, in an I'M
usual action. approved a subdi-
vision of the ODonnell Farm
calling only for dedication of
Donnell drive from the present
Marlboro pike. on which the
farm fronts. to the rear prop
erty line. The drive crosses the
proposed right-of-way for the
new highway and the shopping
center would be built at the in
tersection.
Planning Commission staff
members originally opposed the
dedication, but repeatedly were
Informed, from a usually reli-
able source" that the Roads
Commission already had agreed
to give Donnell drive access to
the controlled access highway.
Controlled access highways
permit intersections controlled
by traffic signals. Limited-ac-
cess roads provide connections
through use of cloverleaf roads
and bridges.
AS late as April 81, a Road
Commission staff member wrote
TO the planning commission that
mo provisions have been made
nor are intended to be made
to permit Donnell drive to have
access to the new highway.
Standing Policy Cited
The letter cited a policy Of
the commission to give access
only to county roads in existence
in April 1855.
ITO permit access at this late
date would have most fragrant
affect on the public relations II
the area. as we have in our files
numerous requests from subdi-
viders and other residents fol-
access which were denied" the
letter said.
Both Planning and Roads
Commission staff members re-
port the matter was handled al
a higher level"
The Roads Commission or
June 11-just four days priol
to the transfer of power to thu
new commission members-sen
a memorandum to Mr.. Pritchet
directing him to redraw plan'
to provide access to the new
highway for Donnell drive.
In return the commission SAFE
it was receiving seven acres O
land through the farm free TO
right of way for the highway
The right of way and damag,
we're valued at $4,000 to $50 900
Signed by Bennett
The memorandum was signeC
by Edgar +. Bennett, whose sue
ccssor has not yet been namet
by Gov. McKeldin, and Bran
well Kelly
The commission said the LIANT
originally cost the Goode inter
ests S1,700 an acre.
Recently land in the area ha
sold fsr $4,000 an acre. .Th,