Editing Leisure World, Maryland (section)

===Development===
In 1963, developer Ross Cortese applied for a zoning amendment in order to build a 1,000-acre community of [[duplex (building)|semi-detached home]]s, [[townhouse]]s, and [[apartment building]]s south of [[Norbeck, Maryland]].<ref name= proposed>Willmann, John B. "Proposed Community Seen As Area Test of Yen For Adult Togetherness: Community Proposed For Adults 52 and Over". ''The Washington Post''. January 11, 1964. p. E1.</ref> Cortese's company had acquired the option to buy the 1,000 acres of land, formerly known as the Nash tract, for $5,000,000, and Cortese expected it would cost another $750,000 to build the development according to the plans.<ref name= proposed/> The development would be restricted to residents who are at least 52 years old.<ref name= proposed/> Cortese planned to build [[community center|clubhouse]]s, a [[swimming pool]], [[horse stable|riding stable]]s, an [[auditorium]], a [[strip mall|shopping center]], [[medical facility|medical facilities]], a [[hotel]] for guests, an 18-hole [[golf course]], and an 8-acre [[artificial lake|lake]] at the site.<ref name= proposed/> Sixty-five percent of the area would be undeveloped green space.<ref name= proposed/> The entire site would be surrounded by a wall, and full-time security guards would restrict access.<ref name= zoning/> According to the plans, [[housing cooperative|co-op home]]s would be available for between $15,000 and $18,000, payable with a $1,000 down payment and monthly payments thereafter of between $140 and $180.<ref name= proposed/> Cortese had already built [[Leisure World, Seal Beach, California|Rossmoor Leisure World]] at [[Seal Beach, California]], in 1961,<ref>Brooks, Dorethea M. "New Plan For Senior Citizens Includes Housing, Medical Care, Social Life". ''The Chicago Defender''. August 5, 1961. p. 4.</ref><ref>"Project for Aged Has Health: California Unit Is Offering Drugs and Medical Care". ''The New York Times''. August 13, 1961. p. R6.</ref> and he was then building [[Laguna Woods Village|Leisure World Laguna Hills]] in [[Laguna Hills, California]], and another Leisure World in [[Walnut Creek, California]].<ref name= proposed/>

The [[Montgomery County Council (Maryland)|Montgomery County Council]] approved the zoning amendment by a vote of 3 to 1, with 3 abstentions.<ref name= project>"Retirement Age Project Endorsed". ''The Washington Post''. June 27, 1964. p. C5.</ref><ref name= zoning>"Zoning Approved in Montgomery For Norbeck Retirement Housing". ''The Washington Post''. August 19, 1964. p. B4.</ref> The one dissenting council member was Kathryn E. Diggs, who said she was skeptical that the development would be economically successful.<ref name= zoning/> Local citizen groups opposed building the development because they preferred the area to remain zoned for low-density development.<ref name= project/> The Council had been planning to extend [[Connecticut Avenue]] through the area, but the Council put that action on hold because of the proposed development.<ref>Kopper, Philip D. "Montgomery Council Girds For Session". ''The Washington Post''. August 16, 1964. p. B6.</ref> Within a few months, [[Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission]] approved 28,000 feet of water and sewer lines for the development.<ref>"Retirement 'Village' Gets Under Way". ''The Washington Post''. December 4, 1964. p. B4.</ref> The architecture firm of Collins & Kronstadt designed the housing units and the community buildings.<ref name= exclusive>Willmann, John. "Seniors Are Exclusive". ''The Washington Post''. September 27, 1964. p. E2.</ref> Thurman D. Donavan designed the landscaping,<ref name= seniorcitizens>Von Eckardt, Wolf. "Senior Citizens' 'World' A Happy Change of Pace". ''The Washington Post''. April 24, 1966. p. G7.</ref> which received an award by the industrial landscaping committee of the American Association of Nurserymen in November 1966.<ref>Secrest, Meryle. "$60,000 In Rosy Future". ''The Washington Post''. November 16, 1966. p. C1.</ref> A large rotating globe was installed at the front gate.<ref name= seniorcitizens/>

Leisure World's sales office and model homes opened in August 1965;<ref>"Leisure World To Open Office". ''The Washington Post''. August 7, 1965. p. E10.</ref><ref>"Leisure World Open at Norbeck". ''The Washington Post''. August 21, 1965. p. E16.</ref> Loy Sigmon was the interior designer of the original seven model homes.<ref name= wagner>Wagner, Ruth. "There's a World of Leisure Here". ''The Washington Post''. September 28, 1965. p. C2.</ref> J. Robert Conybeare served as general sales manager,<ref>"Rossmoor Names Sales Manager". ''The Washington Post''. September 11, 1965. p. D13.</ref> and Angus T. Johnson was named the first administrator of the community.<ref>"Community For After-52". ''The Baltimore Sun''. September 12, 1965. p. G9.</ref>

The community was marketed to people who wanted to stay active while living there.<ref name= wagner/> While residence was restricted to people at least 52 years old (later reduced to 50 years old), proof of age was not originally required.<ref name= allplay>Lanahan, Scottie. "It's All Play and No Work". ''The Washington Post''. April 15, 1966. p. B12.</ref> Leisure World allowed people of all races to live in the community.<ref name= allplay/>

The community facilities were held in trust by the Foundation of Leisure World, a [[501(c)(3)]] [[nonprofit organization]],<ref>"[https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/pub78Search.do?ein1=52-1226000&names=&city=&state=All...&country=US&deductibility=all&dispatchMethod=searchCharities&submitName=Search Foundation of Leisure World Inc.]" ''Exempt Organization Select Check''. [[Internal Revenue Service]]. Retrieved June 30, 2017.</ref><ref>"Rossmoor's To Open". ''The Baltimore Sun''. August 22, 1965. p. RE10.</ref> with former [[United States Under Secretary of the Navy|Under Secretary of the Navy]] [[Kenneth E. BeLieu]] as its first [[president (corporation)|president]].<ref>"Real Estate Notes". ''The New York Times''. April 6, 1966. p. 67.</ref> Homes were sold as [[housing cooperative|co-op]]s, with prices starting at $15,000 and ongoing monthly maintenance payments of at least $85.<ref>Doob, Oscar A. "Retirement Housing Proves Real Gamble". ''The Baltimore Sun''. September 26, 1965. p. RE10.</ref> Within six months, 400 home units had been pre-sold.<ref>"Plans Laid to Sell W&L Stock Block". ''The Washington Post''. March 11, 1966. p. D7.</ref>