Nancy, I am going out on a limb here,  but don't you think local politics and more local control has something to do with it?

     LOL   LOL  

For example, All the Chevy Chases are populated with many "movers and shakers" in government and business and if they feel their little piece of the world needs fixing... they seem to be able to get things done, IE: become a municipality.  You are a good researcher, you might research this. I am away from my sources these days.  

Some local issues that I recall with these smaller municipalities, especially Garrett Park, had to do with the local library, schools, parking etc.. and even more interesting issues.   I do know that it was great  to watch  how each area had their own battles that were well documented in the press.  But with the demise of local newspapers much of the day to day stuff goes unheralded.

Remember how Takoma Park used to , or may still have, a corn silo for folks using pellet stoves? This is way different from the issues in Chevy Chase.     LOL LOL  I am pretty sure Chevy Chase would not allow a corn silo in town to say the least, but by the miracle of local municipality government, TP can.

The Brookeville Town By-Pass has been fodder for years and so on.........I

It is discussions like this that renew my fondness for living over on "the other side" .  But alas it is not like it used to be.  In fact our pending move to NC  bring this municipality discussion home.  We are having to consider if we want to move to a lovely , huge HOA, that IS INCORPORATED,.   Along with that comes some security, but also some headaches.  An HOA that is totally incorporated with itself and nothing outside.  The same as if OP was incorporated.  I need not say here that this gives us much to ponder.  

I vote NO incorporation for OP.   All you get is another layer of governance and cost. Some people think municipality will take away the HOA, to the contrary, it just ads.  Just my 2 cents.

Keep up your research, it is all very interesting and few people take the time to do this anymore.  

Sharon