Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-09
Planners Urge
Curb on Area
Development
Water Supply
Protection Cited
In Lund Report
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 ir
lower Montgomery County, Md.
and in Northern Fairfax County
IVA.
The purpose would be to pro-
tect the Districts Potomac
water supply. The result woulc
be to shift development to other
parts of the area.
This policy was advanced ir
a report yesterday to the Ma.
ltional Capital Planning Com.
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 OF
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
Ipletely 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 tt
developments close enough tt
the watershed line to pump sew.
age or treatment plant efiluent
Into a drainage area not involved
in the water supply.
The land use study is for thu
purpose of laying the base fol
Recommendations for mass tran.
lsit facilities. Harland Bartholo.
NEW, chairman of the Nationa
Capital Planning Commission
said the thinking on plans fol
mass transit is taking three
courses: For automobile travel
express bus transportation anc
possibly rapid transit lines.
Another feature of the report
was a recommendation for pres
ehravtion of rural sections to
Iprovide insulation" for commu-
mites in outlying areas. These
I"green wedges" or green belts
would be assured of their rural
character by coming regulations
land by denying to them water
and sewer lines and other util-
tiles and the accessibility af-
forded by highways and transit
lines.
These green belts would be in
addition to areas reserved fol
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 % million to 81
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 mores feasible to ex-
pand it than to contract one
that has been planned for a
population : larger than the
economy Of the area will sup
port.
1 The basis Of employment In
the area was given as follows:
Federal employment. $4,000 in
1855 and, in 1880, between
$4,000 and 100000; CONNER
cial, industrial and other en-
lployment. $4,000 in 1855 and
between 100000 and 100000 in
1850. The totals are $4,000
in 1855 and between 100000
and 100000 in 1880.
The report urged a floor as
well as a ceiling for Federal en-
ployment in the central area
of the city. and said some
greater radial dispersion Of Fed
eral employment seems neces-
sary.
I But 1t said economic activity
and employment should increase
in the central business district
1t said this should result from
the centripetal forces Of an ex-
banding regional population. as
well as the improved access
sibility resulting If the trans
portation proposals to be made
are carried out.
Formulation