Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-09
Shift in Development
In D. c. Area Urged
Need to Protect
Water Supply in
Potomac Cited
BY FRANCIS p. DOUGLAS

BY FRANCIS p. DOUGLAS
A study of land use in the
Washington region has pro-
duced a policy recommendation
that would curb development in
lower Montgomery County. Md,
and in Northern Fairfax County.
Va.
The purpose would be to pro-
tect the Districts Potomac
water supply. The result would
be to shift development to other
parts Of the area.
This policy was advanced In
Ia report yesterday to the Ma.
tional Capital Planning Conn
mission and the Regional Plan
ming Council. The report was
made by John T. Howard, plan-
ming expert. who is consultant
to the Mass Transportation Sur
vey, and Paul c. Watt. director
of the regional councils staff.
The two councils approved the
report as the basis for further
work. In the discussion the
idea was advanced that South
ern Prince Georges County,
heretofore not growing in popu-
lation as rapidly as other parts ,
of that county, probably would
see more rapid development.
Sewage Problem
The report said that to protect
the Districts water supply de
velopment should be so designed
as to prevent discharge of eff
fluent from sewage treatment
plants either into the river or
into tributaries which flow into
it,"
The area to be thus protected
was given as that between Little
Falls and several miles upstream
from Great Falls. Little falls is
where the northwest District line
touches the Potomac.
The report said there are other
watersheds for sources of water
supply which must be similarly
protected. This does not COM
lpletely preclude development In
those watersheds, the report
added. But it would limit de-
velopment either to densities low
enough to make possible in
dividual sewage treatment or to
developments close enough to
the watershed line to pump sew
lage or treatment plant effiuent
Into a drainage area not involved
in the water supply.
Transit Facilities
4 The land use study is for the
purpose of laying the base for
Recommendation for mass tram
sit facilities. Harland Bartholo-
new. chairman of the National
Capital Planning Commission,
said the thinking on plans for
mass transit is taking three
courses: For automobile travel.
express bus transportation and
possibly rapid transit lines.
Another feature of the report
was recommendation for pres
ehravtion of rural sections to
provide insulation" for commu-
mites in outlying areas. These
green wedges" or green belts"
would be assured of their rural
character by coming regulations
and by denying to them water
and sewer lines and other util-
tiles and the accessibility at.
forded by highways and transit
lines.
These green belts would be in
addition to areas reserved for
recreation purposes.
Geared to 1880
In making plans for a transit
system for the area geared to
conditions Of 1880, a population
figure of from 2.0 million TO 80
figure was assumed for the area.
There was objection at the
meeting this was too low. The
answer given was that, in plan-
ming and building a transit sys.
ITEM. it is more feasible to ex-
pand it than TO contract one
that has been planned for q
population larger than the
economy Of the area viii sup-
port.
The basis Of employment in
the area was given as follows:
Federal employment. $4,000 in
1855 and. in 1880. between
800, 900 and 100000: CONNER
cial, industrial and other en-
ployment. $4,000 in 1855 and
between 100000 and $4,000 in
1850. The totals are $4,000
in 1855 and between 100000
and 100000 in 1880.
Dispersion Seen Necessary
The report urged a floor as
well as a ceiling for Federal em-
lployment in the central area
lof the city. and said some
greater rsdial dispersion Of Fed.
eral employment seems neces-
sary.
But 10 said economic activity
and employment should increase
in the central business district.
IIt said this should result from
the centripetal forces Of an ex-
banding regional population, as
well as the improved access
sibility resulting II the trans
portation proposals TO be made
are carried out.
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Ohio Man, 81, Killed