Greenbelt News Review

Council Plans to Spend $17,670 To Gain New Center Parking

With Mrs. R. Cottington recording the minutes in place of former City Clerk Mrs. Winfield McCamy, city council dealt with the GCS land behind the center, the possibility of a motel behind the 7 and 9 courts of Southway, and other matters at Monday night's meeting.

Anxiety has been caused many residents of the area near the location of the proposed motel, according to Larry Fink and Louis Lushine. Fink stated that 45 families in nearby courts on Southway and Ridge have strong objections to such a motel. Lushine also cited cases of insecurity among his acquaintances due to the feeling of uncertainty about whether the motel will be built or not. He urged that the true situation be made clear to the public.

In answer, council members explained that GHI will consult the residents before any action is taken. They said that the city will not act to approve the motel unless GHI obtains a favorable opinion and that the motel will not be built against the residents' wishes.

The proposed agreement with GCS concerning parcel 6, the land just behind the shopping center, was read by City Manager Charles McDonald. A "reverter" clause in it was questioned by Mayor Francis White. This clause called for the city to construct a roadway joining the east and west parking lots, and also parking areas; otherwise the tract would revert to GCS. White said his impression was that in the original negotiations no reverter clause was included. McDonald explained that GCS was concerned that a future council might use the land for a different purpose, and wished to ensure that the land was definitely allocated for parking. On a motion by Councilman Ben Goldfaden a compromise was reached which sets a 10-year limit on the reverter clause.

Estimated Expense

The total estimated expenses of carrying out the roadwork and paving on the land was given by Mr. McDonald as $17,670, of which $9000 would go for the roadway and parking area.

Councilman Dave Champion linked this expense with the municipal building by pointing out that it would have to come out of the building fund. He estimated that the amount available for the municipal building would thereby be decreased by about $5000.

Champion moved that the planning and financing of parcel 6 be referred to an appropriate committee of the Advisory Planning Board. Before this motion was passed, some discussion took place concerning the relative merit of hiring outside engineers or having the Board handle the layout of the tract. It was agreed that probably both would be involved.

Earlier in the meeting, several petitions were heard from citizens on various matters. Martin Holly, acting as chairman for a citizens' transportation group, asked the backing of council for the group's plan to circulate a petition for express bus service via the parkway. The motivation for such a service, according to Holly, was that "an oxcart could travel the 15 miles downtown in less time than one can get there now." He disclaimed any intention of infringing on the area of operation of the APB's transportation committee, stating the group would be glad to work with the city.

The council voiced no disagreement with the aims of the citizens but felt that their efforts should be coordinated with those of the transportation committee. Harvey Geller suggested that the APB could put the work of Holly's group on its agenda.

A letter by George Reeves in a recent issue of the News Review, proposing use of the warehouse and sewage disposal tract as a memorial area, was read by Mrs. Cottington to the council. According to Mr. McDonald the existing municipal cemetery comprises about 3 acres, with the surrounding area now zoned R-18 for the Springhill development.

A motion by Mr. Goldfaden was passed assigning the proposal to the Advisory Planning Board.