www.takomadcplan.org
|
Takoma
DC Growth Plans www.takomadcplan.org |
Official Small Area Plan | Media Coverage |
| Developer Plans | Metro. Branch Trail | ||
| Transportation Study | Update Log Links | ||
These plans and description are copyright 2001 by Byrne Kelly and may not be
copied or reproduced without permission.
The Schematic addresses many community and economic development concerns which I have been following.
There are a total of 66 single family dwelling units, or if needed there could
be a mix of "flats" (apartments) in the towns and apartments in the quadraplexes
and duplex. That would-could increase the total dwelling units but would
also require more parking and services, as will most increases in density.
The trade-off in offering the low-end number of residential townhouses is the proposed commercial townhouses and small scale, low-rise commercial office building. Structurally, the back (western) walls of the units along the tracks will need to supplant the earthen banks now supporting the track ballast. While somewhat more expensive to construct, it frees up a lot of square footage that is currently a perpetual cost to WMATA, as it is a landscape that has to be maintained.
To address parking I am suggesting an overlay tax district for households within 10 minutes walk (2000') of the Metro Station which provides a tax credit for house holds of 2 or more that only own one car. Households of 2-4 owning more than 2 cars shall pay an extra tax. I also would like to see all of the current programs available to employers implemented. Including raising parking fees and metering the streets.
I have suggested opening the intersection of Carroll and Cedar up by removing the 7-11 building and providing them a new location adjacent to the Metro entrance. The space they now occupy could be used for both intersection/pedestrian improvements and as a landscaped area with flexible spaces for activities or vendors.
The long view from the intersection of Cedar and Eastern to the metro entrance has been maintained as has the majority of the existing parkland and its trees. The long view from the intersection of Carroll & Cedar into the site where I have proposed commercial mixed use is also maintained for marketing and urban planning conceptual reasons.
The Quadra-plexes and duplex are envisioned to be built in the grand manor of the great Victorians already along Eastern and Cedar and found throughout the Takoma areas. Again, their reduced parking requirements would be built into their depressed lower level under the living areas.
The Towns have one car garages only, additional residential parking would be by permit (and not for free, but maybe discounted) in the proposed garage. Small scale one way streets with no parking on them, serve all of the townhouse garages. Parking decks are also provided under the Commercial Building.
The existing bus road and street entrances are preserved to save costs but I have rearranged the traffic patterns and added a second kiss and ride.
The traffic circle on Blair requires removing the liquor store and it too could be relocated next to the Pub to maintain its "prime location" status.
The roof to the large parking garage should be sod and used as a playing field for the existing 115 apartments and the proposed development. There is also a tot-lot and community garden proposed.
I remain open to suggestions and believe most of the community concerns can be met except for those who remain fundamentally opposed to this type of intelligent infill development.
Byrne H. Kelly, RLA, President,
THE GREENFIELDS COMPANY
301-270-4626 byrnetgg@erols.com
