City of Takoma Park, Maryland.

Introduced By: Councilmember Austin-Lane

RESOLUTION 2002-27

Resolution Opposing Adoption By the Council of the District of Columbia
Of the Draft Takoma Central District Plan in its Current Form

WHEREAS, the communities of Takoma, D.C. and Takoma Park, Maryland both have a strong interest in the economic health, safety, environment, and livability of the area around the Takoma Metro; AND

WHEREAS, the land between Eastern Avenue and the Takoma Metro station, known as the Metro site, was designed through community input from residents of Takoma Park, Maryland and Takoma, D.C.; AND

WHEREAS, the D.C. Office of Planning has prepared a draft Small Area Plan for the area near the Takoma Metro in Washington, D.C., called the Takoma Central District Plan; AND

WHEREAS, the draft Takoma Central District Plan has many strengths and can be a good base for a revised Plan; AND

WHEREAS, a traffic/transportation study was not done as part of the small area planning process, but was later recognized as essential and is just now beginning, to be overseen by the District Department of Transportation and conducted in conjunction with Maryland transportation agencies; AND

WHEREAS, based on the lack of a completed traffic/transportation study and a number of other significant concerns, District of Columbia Advisory Neighborhood Council (ANC) 4B approved a resolution on March
21, 2002 (attached) urging the D.C. City Council to "reject the plan or return it to the Office of Planning for necessary transportation planning and for improved site design and planning at the Takoma Metro Station;" AND

WHEREAS, transportation and traffic around and through the Metro site and Takoma D.C. directly affects the entire Takoma community, including City of Takoma Park residents and especially those Maryland homes and neighborhoods immediately adjacent to the Metro site; AND

WHEREAS, the land at the Metro site was acquired by WMATA for transit purposes and was designed as a transit facility and park buffer for adjacent residences and the entire Takoma community; AND

WHEREAS, the Metro site has a sizable drop off area, many secure bicycle lockers, easy access for pedestrians, bicyclists and people with disabilities and welcoming open space and green space; AND

WHEREAS, the Metro site currently does not meet community transportation needs as shown be the lack of a taxi stand, the idling buses on Cedar Avenue off the Metro site, and the unofficial use of Carroll Street at the underpass as a kiss-and-ride drop off area; AND

WHEREAS, Maryland residents as well as District of Columbia residents use the transit facilities at the Takoma Metro site, and most of the bus service at the station is provided by the Montgomery County Ride-On bus system; AND

WHEREAS, in order to create a healthy business community, businesses in Washington D.C.'s 4th Street area must be connected to Takoma Park's Old Town businesses by a continuous and attractive commercial streetscape.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Takoma Park City Council endorses the resolution of ANC 4B concerning the Takoma Central District Plan and recommends that the Council of the District of Columbia not adopt the Takoma Central District Plan until the Takoma traffic/transportation study is completed and revisions to the draft Plan addressing the issues raised by the ANC and the City of Takoma Park
are incorporated;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Takoma Park City Council recommends that the revised plan not be done until the traffic/transportation study be completed and that it be informed by the traffic/transportation
study;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT any revised plan should include:

ADOPTED THIS 15th DAY OF APRIL, 2002.

ATTEST:

_________________________
Catherine Waters, CMC/AAE
City Clerk