Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-03-26
Metro Master Plan

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The stress given to Wash
ington metropolitan regional
planning in your editorial of
March 81, Metro Master
Plan" appears to imply that
planning on a Northern Vir-
ginia regional basis is unnec-
eSsary. I believe, on the con-
trary. that such regional
planning for Northern Vir-
GINA is essential.
These are my reasons: Cd
There are key problems that
cross county and city lines.
i.e.. water. sewer. pollution,
parks, hospitals. transporta-
ton. 90 If we are going to
keep our taxes in line, and
prevent the development of
slums. we must have stimuli
famous, well-planned indus
trial and commercial devel-
opment.
Though there are impor-
tant Northern Virginia prob
lens that interest the entire
Metropolitan Area, it is es-
sential that there be dis
tinctly Northern Virginia
regional planning.
First. because accomplish
ment of the above aims de-
ponds upon agreement with
the State government at
Richmond; the State govern
ment prefers to deal only
with a Virginia group. Past
experience has indicated that
1t would be reluctant to deal
with a Washington Mary
land-Virginia metropolitan
group.
Second, most details of the
problems mentioned above
are essentially Northern Vir-
ginia problems. Only in their
broad scope do they interest
Maryland and Washington.
Therefore, to throw these
detailed discussions into the
hands of a District of Column
bia-Maryland-V group
would take the detailed
planning out of the hands
Of those who know it best,
and are most closely con-
cerned, and put it into the
hands of outsiders.
The Northern Virginia
planning group would have
another very important pur-
pose-the protection of the
rights of Northern Virginia.
From time to time, the Fed
eral Government takes steps
which greatly affect the in
tereSts of Northern Virginia.
United. we can more effec-
lively represent the wishes of
Northern Virginia commune
ties in dealing with Federal
and State agencies.
At the same time, the sup
port of Northern Virginia
regional planning would not
deprive any county or city
of its right to solve its in
ternal problems in its own
way.
The basic machinery for
planning on a Northern
Virginia area basis is already
available. The Northern Vir-
ginia Regional Planning and
Economic Development Com
mission is already in being;
it needs only to be given
the go-ahead to do the job.
william H. Moss,
Chairman, Northern Vir-
ginia Regional Planning
and Economic Develop
ment Commission.
A very perturbing editorial
appeared in The Star or
March 81. regarding a metre
Master Plan" I wonder Il
Mrs. wilkins or the writer Of
the editorial can explain the
logic of this plan before 9
master plan for Northern
Virginia has been developed
Also. how the politicians In
Maryland as we'll MS the D. c
Planning Commission car
help Northern Virginia BY
telling us when and where we
should provide trash collec-
tons. street lights. sidewalks
sewers. water. etc.; how We
should run our schools: where
we should allow commercial
and industrial coming. anc
where we should locate oul
parks and other recreation
areas. all of which concern
only the people living here
and should be controlled BY
them through their repre-.
sentatives on the local gov.
erning bodies as represented
on the Northern Virginia Re.
gional Planning Commission
We certainly should cooper
ate with the other jurisdic-
tions so far as transit and ust
Of the Potomac River is con.
cerned, but to be bound b!