MARYLAND MANUAL 129
BI-COUNTY AGENCIES
THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND
PLANNING COMMISSION
Chairman: Robert M. Watkins, 1955
Commissioners: Herbert W. Wells, 1955; Donald E. Gingery, 1955;
Arnold McKee, 1955; Sydney M. Oliver, 1957; Carlton E. Pyles, 1957.
Jesse F. Nicholson, Secretary-Treasurer
8500 Colesville Road, Silver Spring Telephone: Juniper 9-1480
This Commission has general planning and park jurisdiction over
the Maryland-Washington Metropolitan District created in 1927 and
the Maryland-Washington Regional District created in 1939. Both
districts are within Montgomery and Prince George's Counties ad-
joining the District of Columbia and embrace approximately 312
square miles. The 1953 estimated population of the entire Regional
District in both counties exceeds 325,000 people.
The 1953 estimated taxable basis of the Montgomery County por-
tion of the Regional District is $568,000,000 and of the Metropolitan
District $560,000,000. The 1953 estimated taxable basis of the Prince
George's County portion of the Regional District is $340,628,507 and
of the Metropolitan District $289,682,845.
The Commission has been given, through bi-county enactments of
the Maryland General Assembly definite jurisdiction over the plan-
ning of the Maryland-Washington Regional District, which includes
all of suburban Prince George's and Montgomery Counties and a
considerable portion of agricultural Montgomery County.
The Commission is composed of six members appointed by the
Governor. Two members must be residents and taxpayers of that
portion of the Maryland-Washington Metropolitan District within
Montgomery County; one may be a resident of any part of Montgom-
ery County; two must be residents and taxpayers of that portion of
the District within Prince George's County; and one may be a resi-
dent of any part of Prince George's County. Members have six-year
overlapping terms, the terms of two of the first appointees from each
county having been for four years. The Commission appoints a
Secretary-Treasurer and a General Counsel. Regional offices are
maintained in both counties.
Within the Maryland-Washington Metropolitan District, the Com-
mission is empowered to acquire, develop, maintain, and operate a
park system with recreational facilities, the expense of which is paid
from a separate park tax levied within the District. The Commission
is authorized to cooperate and negotiate with Federal agencies for
financial assistance under the terms of the Capper-Cramton Act, and
with other agencies in the park development program.
Within the Maryland-Washington Regional District, which includes
and extends beyond the Metropolitan District, the Commission is em-
powered to make, adopt, and amend a general plan for the physical
development of the District, including all factors of urban, suburban,
rural, and regional planning. Plans and specifications for the con-
struction of public works improvements and facilities are authorized
to be prepared by the Commission. It is given specific sub-division
control power, and jurisdiction over street grades and locations,
public buildings and utilities after the adoption of a major road plan,
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