Evening star., 1961-10-27
RezoningFight
In Somerset
Brings0ut 100
By WILLIAM DUKE
Star Staff Writer

I Star Staff Writer
The citizens of Somerset. Md,
were back at the legal barri-
cades last night, fighting before
the Montgomery County Coun-
Gil to halt a new attempt to re-
zone residential land near Wis
consin avenue.
More than 100 residents of
the town crowded into the
Rockville County Building toI
oppose the request of Com
munity Builders. Inc, for the
rezoning Of about 80 acres to
allow construction of q 1000
unit. high rise. luxury apart
ment development.
The wooded land in question
ON the west side of Wisconsin,
just south of Dorset avenue
has often been the neighbor-
hood zoning battle-ground. In
1857. citizen opposition was one
reason why the Hecht Co. with
drew plans to construct a sub
urban store on the site.
At last nights hearing, the
county council heard attorneys
and witnesses for both sides
argue the merits and demeritS
of downgrading zoning in the
area. Many of the witnesses
were figures in previous coming
fights. Some had participated
several months ago when Som
erSet residents failed in the
first round to block rezoning of
another Wisconsin avenue par
eel which is to be the site of a
SakS Fifth avenue store.
Tax Bonanza Seen
Witnesses for the contrac-
tors last night presented state
ments which said that the
apartment development would
stabilize property values IN
Somerset. would provide a tax
bonanza for local governments
and the school board, and
would act as a buffer zone
against the expanding COM
mercial zone of Wisconsin ave-
nue., north of the District line.
The opponents presented
their own specialists, who con-
tradicted the proponents. They
attempted to show that the
apartment development would
be an encroachment on the
residential character Of the
neighborhood, would block the
towns plans to buy the land
as a county park, would over
load schools and cause addi-
tional traffic difficulties on
wisconsin avenue.
The decision will come from
the County Council. It's preSi-
dent, William F. Hickey, said
that no decision will be made
until the Maryland National
c pital Park and Planning
Commission makes a recon-
mendation Of the zoning re-
quest. He said this would come
in the near future"
Sc Exhibits Offered
Mr.. Hickey said that both
sides presented a total of 56
exhibits last night to support
their case, and that the coun-
Gil had received SO letters op-
posing the rezoning before the
session began. Petitions con-
tanning about 1852 names op-
posing the rezoning also were
presented.
James c. Wilkes. Sr.. attorney
for Community Builders, pre-
sented the case for the rezoning,
using witnesses and a series of
multi colored maps, overlays
and aerial photos.
His witnesses claimed that
the development, which would
cost about $l6.5 million. would
produce $339.000 in local gov
ernment and 1921 900 in school
taxes each year under present
rates. They said that the eff
cheney Of this type Of develop
ment would produce a surplus
to local municipalities, over the
amount needed to pay for serv-
ices needed by apartment resi-
dents.
Town Wants Land for Park
Mayor Warren j. Vinton of
Somerset countered that the
town would be willing to pay
its own way without tax aid
from the development. He said
the town wanted to buy the
land at its present market
price. and turn it into a park
with the cooperation of the
park and planning commits
sion.
r. Robert Linowes, town at
torney, blasted the testimony
of the witnesses used by Mr..
Wilkes and said that several of
these witnesses had made diff
ferent statements when involved
in earlier zoning fights.
Somerset has appealed the
county councils ruling in the
Saks case, and expects to argue
against it in County Circuit
Court November 7.