What are the best ways to connect with and empower members of our community who continue to face barriers and challenges to engagement? How can we bring more people to the table to work to build a stronger community and make our government more equitable, effective, and responsive to the needs of residents?

In the last few years, we undertook new efforts to address these questions, most notably through our work on racial equity and increased engagement efforts.

We know more needs to be done. And, we know Takoma Park is not the only city looking at these issues. When I meet colleagues across Maryland and the country, I hear them asking the same questions and talking about the same challenges in their communities. It was at one of these recent meetings that I sat through a presentation on participatory budgeting. I had been introduced to this idea a couple of years ago. More recently, in the last few months, a resident reached out and sent me some materials to read. At this time, I started to see the potential of participatory budgeting to help us begin to create a more equitable budget, increase civic engagement, and build stronger relationships among residents and government.

Never heard of participatory budgeting? Most folks haven’t so you are in good company. Think about putting in place a system through which residents in the community get to decide how to spend a portion of the City budget.

“Participatory budgeting is a democratic process in which community members decide how to spend part of a public budget. It gives people real power over real money.” Participatory Budgeting Project

How does it work?

Generally, here are the basic steps and a proposal for starting to put participatory budgeting to work in Takoma Park that I would like the City Council to consider:

Step 1: Decide on the topic and allocate a portion of the budget. First, the City Council would need to decide on the portion of the budget and an area to focus on. Funds for participatory budgeting usually come from the existing budget and is a change in how we decide to use the budgeted funds.

Proposal for TkPk: We build on the Council priority to: “Ensure we have a range of safe, quality, and stable housing options that are affordable for residents of varying incomes and all races and ethnicities” and focus on projects to improve living conditions for renters in the community.

The Council would work with staff to identify funds either in Department budgets and/or we can allocate funds from the Housing Reserve Fund to focus on projects to improve living conditions for renters in our community.

Step 2: Designing the process. After selecting the topic and identifying the source of funds, we would form a Participatory Budget Committee with representatives from the City staff, residents, and possibly outside experts to design the process for soliciting ideas, developing proposals, and voting on how to spend the allocated dollars.

For example, if we have a project focused on improving living conditions for renters in our community, the Committee would be comprised of renters who would then design the process. Through designing the process, residents work closely with representatives from Council and City staff, resulting in more resident engagement and collaboration between people and government.

Step 3: Brainstorming ideas and developing proposals. Based on the process designed by the Committee, there would be a phase of brainstorming of ideas and identifying needs.

Using the examples of programs for renters, the Committee—with support from the City—would set up and hold meetings with renters to generate ideas, identify needs, and support the formation of groups of renters to take those ideas and turn them into feasible proposals.

Step 4:  Proposals would be submitted to the Committee and to the City Council which would narrow them down based on criteria set out by the Committee to a manageable number for people to vote on.

Through this process, we would receive innovative ideas that are developed by and responsive to the needs of renters in our community.

Step 5:  Vote, and then the winning project is funded!

Participatory budgeting has been shown to assist in increasing community engagement as people see tangible results and investments made in programs and projects they themselves identify to address their needs.

The overall process will take over a year and perhaps more the first time we undertake this effort. In addition to having one project that is voted on for funding, this process provides the City Council and staff with a range of new ideas on programs that we can decide to put in place.

Participatory budgeting is not meant to replace other funding programs, such as the Community Grants program.

In the end, participatory budgeting will increase engagement in the community, create stronger and more collaborative relationships among residents and government, and lead to projects designed by and addressing the needs of residents. Our goal is to create a process and space for people who traditionally have not participated in local government to have a say in local decision-making that impacts their lives.

I look forward to continuing the conversation about participatory budgeting and starting to put this into action soon. I welcome your thoughts and input.

For more information about participatory budgeting check out this website.

On November 9, 2016, the day after the national election, the City issued a statement reaffirming our stance and recommitting to the values we uphold in our community. We vowed that as our nation faced transition and uncertainty, in Takoma Park, we would stand strong against hate and vitriol based on ignorance and misinformation.

Given the current government shutdown and the slurs and attacks on immigrants and those seeking to come to our country, I believe it is once again time to reiterate our values.

We are a City with residents and staff from all over the world and we celebrate and cherish our diversity.

We are a City that welcomes those who are the victims of terrorism, violence, or economic upheaval regardless of their national origins.

We refuse to demonize individuals based on their place of birth, religion, or race.

We are a City that upholds the right of ALL people to live their lives with dignity and respect.

Today, in the face of hateful, dehumanizing, and blatant lies being espoused by the current occupant of the White House, we remind the world that in Takoma Park we believe in building strong, inclusive, and healthy communities by ensuring that the rights of all are upheld — immigrants, people of different faiths, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals, people of color.

We believe our immigration system should prioritize keeping families together and not tearing them apart.
Here, we believe that every individual has an inherent right to be treated with fairness and justice, not with hatred and bigotry.

We are a City dedicated to forging stronger relationships and creating out of our myriad of differences and experiences one community that stands together.

“The future is now. Roll up your sleeves and let your passion flow. The Country [City] we carry in our hearts is waiting.” — Bruce Springsteen

It is an exciting time in our City. We face both opportunities and challenges. The arrival of the Purple Line, increased growth in population in the region, the need to continue to provide affordable, good quality housing, the urgency to mitigate and adapt to climate change, and pushing back on the policies and actions of the current federal Administration are just some of the issues that we have been working on and will continue to do so in 2019.

Our future is now and we certainly have the passion in this City to do the work needed to face head-on the challenges and opportunities before us.

As we look toward 2019, I want to reflect on the accomplishments of the past year and the work to come. In January 2018, the Council met to establish our priorities for the next few years. The Council priorities are used as a tool to guide policy and budget decisions. Think of the priorities as our roadmap. We will meet again this January to review the priorities and make adjustments as needed for the year ahead.

Before we move on to 2019, let’s review what happened in 2018. It’s impressive!

Livable Community for All

A major priority for the Council has been to ensure a livable community for all residents. In 2018, we continued this work to ensure a range of safe, quality, and stable housing options are available for residents of varying incomes, including:

• Increasing the Housing Reserve fund to about $700,000 and dedicating the resources from the Ground Lease at Takoma Junction to the reserve;
• Continuing the Home Stretch Down Payment Assistance Program;
• Working to finalize the Housing and Economic Development Strategic Plan; and
• Increasing outreach efforts to residents of multi-family buildings in our community.

We continue to defend our status as a Sanctuary City and work toward making sure we are a welcoming and inclusive community. To that end, the first act we took as a Council in 2018 was to pass a Resolution to call on Congress to continue Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for currently covered residents and establish a pathway to permanent residency for TPS and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients.

Throughout the year, we have moved forward on a number of other efforts to make sure we are welcoming community, such as newsletter articles in multiple languages and links to the City website with additional translations.

Part of being a livable community for all is continuing and deepening our work on racial equity.

• Most of the Councilmembers and City department heads have now completed racial equity training through the Government Alliance for Racial Equity, and Councilmember Kostiuk and I completed the National League of Cities Racial Equity 201 training and I completed the 301 training this fall.
• We continue to work with the Government Alliance for Racial Equity and this year I was appointed to serve as the Vice-Chair of the Racial Equity And Leadership (REAL) Council for the National League of Cities which enables us to learn from what other cities around the country are doing to implement a racial equity framework.
• This summer we took a close look at how we are approaching this work and made changes to our approach based on lessons learned and community input, which is outlined here.
• We are also continuing to provide workshops on racial equity in the City. In particular, a group of 17 residents, including members of the City’s resident committees, are taking part in the “What’s My Bias?” trainings. Last year I attended these training’s and this year’s cohort includes Councilmember Kostiuk.
• Prior to the distribution of the Resident Survey (which is currently being completed by randomly selected residents), we conducted focus groups with residents who are immigrants from African and Latin American countries. The reason for focusing on these groups in particular is that response rates to previous surveys from African and Latin American immigrants in the City have been low. Focus groups were seen as way to gather important feedback from these residents that could both help inform the content of the survey and also information about their perspectives and needs to City officials.
• And, starting in 2019 with our priorities retreat, thanks to Councilmember Smith, we will be working with consultants on racial equity to facilitate the retreat and help inform our discussion.

Related to the racial equity work, is the Social Justice Film series co-sponsored by Washington Adventist University’s Center for Law and Public and local community activists including members of the City Council. New films and discussions will be announced in January.

We also continued to identify programming needs emphasizing youth, families, seniors, and our more vulnerable residents. The City:

• Continued to develop the new youth success division of the Recreation Department, including bringing a new Youth Success
• Coordinator on board and developing new programming geared toward youth success.
• We continue to provide scholarships to Takoma Park residents who are students attending Montgomery College, an effort started by Councilmember Smith.
• The Youth Council finished its first year and throughout the year advocated for issues of importance to young people. We look forward to their second year.

We closed this year with work on cell towers and will begin 2019 taking up this issue again to ensure we are protecting the community and its residents as telecommunications companies look to install this equipment in the City.

Community Development for an Improved and Equitable Quality of Life

A great deal of the Council’s work this year focused on planning and preparing for development in the City.

• Purple Line construction has begun and Councilmember Searcy has taken the lead in advocating on behalf of the businesses and residents in the area. And, thank you to Councilmember Searcy for all her work to assist the Crossroads Development Authority to hire their new Executive Director and review their bylaws this year.
• Ethan Allen Gateway Project completed! This project, which was years in the making, provides increased pedestrian safety at the intersection of Ethan Allen and New Hampshire Avenue. Councilmember Dyballa and I are thankful to the residents who met with us numerous times to ensure the project was a success.
• Takoma Junction Project, after many meetings, open houses, and other forms of public engagement (including an evening where we experimented with one-on-one conversations with Councilmembers), moved to the next step in the process. The site plan is beginning the County planning review process, and we will keep updating the City website with more information as it becomes available.
• MDOT-SHA Takoma Junction Vision Study started. We successfully advocated with the Maryland State Highway Administrator to undertake a project to study and put forward a vision for the intersection at Takoma Junction to address safety and traffic issues.
• The next step in the New Hampshire Avenue Recreation Center project took place by initiating a land swap with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. I want to thank the residents who have been advocating for this project.
• Advocated on public school facilities. In 2018, the City Council and staff focused more than past years on advocacy regarding public school facilities, especially Piney Branch Elementary School. In 2019, we will continue to push for better school facilities in our community.
• Continued efforts to work with Washington Adventist Hospital regarding the future of its campus once the hospital moves, and continued advocacy at the County and State level for greater attention to the health needs of the community.
• Montgomery College’s new Isiah and Catherine Leggett Math-Science Building moves forward after a series of charrettes with local residents that Councilmember Kovar and myself attended this year.

More detailed information about these and other major projects in the City can be found here.

Environmentally Sustainable Community

On the environment and sustainability, we have redoubled our efforts to fight climate change.

• Our biggest step forward to date – and a monumental move for the City! – is the switch of all our streetlights to LEDs. This will reduce the City’s annual electricity use from 850,000kWh to 340,000kWh and reduce annual expenditures by approximately $100,000. We continue to be a leader in programs and policies for energy and environmental sustainability!
• Purchase of Dorothy’s Woods was finalized this year. With the assistance of residents, the City was able to clear the debt and liens on the property and now owns the 2.68-acre parcel of mostly wooded area – one of the largest undeveloped properties in Takoma Park that was privately owned. Thank you to Councilmember Dyballa for all her work on this effort and to all the residents who helped us secure the resources needed.
• Under the guidance of Councilmembers Dyballa, Kostiuk and Kovar, we have begun the process of reviewing and updating the tree ordinance and preserving and growing our tree canopy. Be on the lookout for an article in the January Newsletter highlighting the work to come in 2019.

In the upcoming year, the City will be looking to do more not only to mitigate but to put in programs and policies to adapt to the impact of climate change we are already witnessing in our community.

Engaged, Responsive & Service-Oriented Government

We started 2018 welcoming a new Police Chief to Takoma Park.

• Chief DeVaul in his first year is instituting structural changes in our police department and placing a greater emphasis on community policing. I want to thank Councilmember Seamens for all his work over the years on ensuring we have a police department that reflects the values of our community.
• A great opportunity to get to know the what, how and why of policing in Takoma Park is to take part in the Community Police Academy. Last year Councilmember Kostiuk and I took part in the Academy and it is a great way to get to know and learn more about policing in the City.

The Council and City staff are always looking for ways to increase our engagement with the community and make sure we are a responsive and service-oriented government.

• In addition to the weekly Council meetings, we held a number of open houses and interactive, web-based informational sessions for residents to come and ask questions about the budget, the affordable housing and economic development strategic plan, Takoma Junction, and many other issues. Staff put together a pop-up in Takoma Junction so people could get a better sense of the dimensions of the proposed project. And, we took a streetlight tour with Pepco to examine the LED lights.
• In addition, we continued the Friday morning coffees in different parts of the city and the Friday lunches in the Crossroads area that allow the public to drop in and chat with Councilmembers and key staff. Individual Councilmembers also held meetings, play dates, walks and other great gatherings to get to know, listen and engage with residents.
• As noted above, we completed a series of focus groups this fall to gather feedback from members of our immigrant community on City services and are in the process of conducting our periodic Resident Survey.

A challenge this year has been the amount of utility work in the city. Councilmembers Kovar, Kostiuk, Searcy, and I, along with the City staff, have tried to find ways to lessen the impact on residents and hold the utilities and their subcontractors accountable. It has been a difficult year in this area and we appreciate your patience and continue to look for ways to address these challenging situations. I am pleased that Councilmember Kovar will be the City’s representative on a newly reconstituted Pepco Community Advisory Group and his advocacy will be helpful.

Fiscally Sustainable Government

In 2018, the Council undertook a number of actions to ensure we are fiscally sustainable, as well as responsible. Among other things, we:

• Adopted a financial policy to establish the appropriate level of designated reserves.
• Began looking at a sustainable investment and banking policy and practices and the steps we need to take to put in place a policy. Thank you to the work of the Nuclear Free Committee on this issue.
• Took action to do away with the inventory tax on businesses in the community.
• We began the process of revising the procurement policy for the City and will return to this in 2019.
• Continued efforts to advocate on increased funding from County and state to address tax duplication. I am hopeful that with the new County Council and County Executive, 2019 just might be the year we resolve this issue!

Advocating for the City and Residents

Throughout the year, we find ourselves outside the City in Rockville or Annapolis or Washington, D.C., advocating on behalf of residents. Members of the Council serve on a number of regional and national boards and councils to learn from other jurisdictions and to advocate for the City.

• This year we saw successes in our work to lobby in Annapolis. Councilmember Smith in his roles with the Maryland Municipal League as the District Vice President, Board Member and Chair of the Conference Planning continues to keep us up-to-date with legislative issues in Annapolis and represent the City. The biggest win this year is the reinstatement of highway user revenue fees to municipalities.
• An area many of us worked on this past year is fighting preemption. We have advocated at the state and national level to ensure that our local authority is not usurped, and have defended our ability to pass laws to benefit members of our community. We filed an Amicus Brief in the Appeal of the Circuit Court Ruling on the Montgomery County Healthy Lawns Act, and we have joined lawsuits against the FCC on the cell tower installations.
• On the preemption front, we saw some success in this area. We helped to defeat a preemption amendment in the national Farm Bill, securing our local laws that protect our children, pets and pollinators from pesticide industry overreach.
• We also successfully lobbied and testified this year on gun safety, renewable energy, and many other issues. Coming in 2019, we will be advocating in Annapolis on just-cause eviction, ranked choice voting, prohibiting widening of Maryland Route 410, efforts to combat climate change, and other issues.
• Members of the Council also advocated for the needs of Takoma Park residents within the larger region in their roles on boards and committees of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and the National League of Cities. In particular, Councilmember Kostiuk represents the City on the MWCOG Transportation Planning Board and Councilmember Dyballa serves on the MWCOG Climate, Energy and Environment Policy Committee and the Chesapeake Bay and Water Resources Policy Committee.

In addition to all of this work, I want to acknowledge the work of Councilmember Seamens and his wife Joyce. Terry and Joyce help those most vulnerable in our community through their work with Adventist Community Services of Greater Washington and Manna Food Center of Rockville to address food insecurity in the community. They also are working with Frontline Community Services to develop a transitional housing program for some of the area’s homeless residents.

I have the great honor to work for the residents of Takoma Park, with my colleagues on the Council, and with the most dedicated staff of City employees. Together, we accomplished a great deal in 2018. I am looking forward to rolling up our sleeves and working together in 2019!

Thank you!

Mayor Stewart

From the Takoma Park City Council

In recent discussions on the proposed redevelopment of Takoma Junction, residents have raised questions about how the project might impact racial equity. Residents also have asked about the data sources and methodology applied to assess the impact of the project on residents of color in the community.

We are encouraged that residents are asking questions about racial equity. Over the last year, the Council has taken steps to operationalize its racial equity initiative, including providing racial equity training to members of Council-appointed committees, Councilmembers, City staff, and other residents; exploring the creation of a committee or task force on racial equity; and conducting a racial equity survey among City staff members.

Given residents’ feedback, the Council has reviewed our process and begun to identify ways to improve its deliberation process to better assess racial equity impacts. This review has reminded us of the limitations and challenges of this work, as well as the great opportunities it presents. As with much of the work we undertake, time, budget, and staff constraints create challenges.  Specifically, for the racial equity work, one of the main limitations is that available data related to racial equity in the City are limited.

During our review process, we decided to change the name on agenda item memos from “Racial Equity Impact Statement” to “Racial Equity Considerations.” We will do the same for the fiscal and environmental impact statements. This change will emphasize that the content is not intended to be an end-product but rather is meant to generate discussion and thoughtfulness among members of the Council and the community at large.  This new section will also include questions for consideration, rather than statements. More information about our review of the racial equity process can be found on the City’s Racial Equity Project Page.

Given the above, we have begun to revisit the racial equity considerations for the Takoma Junction Redevelopment Project. We plan to include new language in future agenda memos on the topic that raise questions we will consider during this process. The racial equity considerations are meant to generate discussion and we hope for feedback and ideas from residents. Below are our current racial equity considerations for the Takoma Junction Project. We look forward to residents’ feedback and continued discussions.

Over the next few months, the Council will also consider the proposed Takoma Junction redevelopment project and its impact within the larger context of the Priorities the Council has already set, such as:

• Support and commitment to rent stabilization and other affordable housing programs, such our affordable housing reserve fund, our affordable housing and economic development strategic plan, and continued use of PILOTS and grant programs to support equity goals;
• Support for recreation programs that provide low-cost and free childcare and recreation options;
• Investment in public services and public spaces including the renovation and expansion of the Library and ongoing negotiations regarding improvements to the New Hampshire Recreation Center, which could include increased recreation offerings to residents and new opportunities for affordable housing;
• Advocacy regarding elementary school site selection;
• Advocacy on behalf of residents and businesses impacted by the Purple Line;
• Community engagement efforts including additional translation of the newsletter, community survey, exploring innovative ways to increase participation in resident committees;
• Continued efforts regarding community policing and building strong relationships among our police officers and residents, especially young people.

Takoma Junction Racial Equity Considerations

Based on the latest Census data, 57% of residents in the City are people of color and 30% of businesses in the city are minority-owned. For the two wards closest to the Takoma Junction project — Ward 2 and Ward 3 — the racial composition of the wards are 38% and 34% people of color respectively.

Racial equity questions raised by this project include:

• Would the project create new barriers or hardships for communities for color? Would it provide new opportunities for communities of color?
• Who would be drawn to shop, eat, relax, and/or work in this development? How does that compare with the current situation? Could the project lead to greater inclusivity in the City?
• Is this location accessible to people who do not have cars, through public transit and/or safe walking/biking infrastructure? How might traffic or pedestrian impacts affect people of color?
• Does this project displace residents or create hardships for them? Who is impacted by any potential displacement or hardships? How would it affect existing local minority-owned business and property owners?
• Could the City provide opportunities through policy, programming, or other actions to expand potential positive opportunities and/or mitigate negative impacts?

If the project moves forward, in the coming months, the Council would consider program, policy, and budget steps to expand positive opportunities and/or mitigate negative effects. The following are examples of possible ways the City could address racial equity at Takoma Junction and in the City as a whole:

Encourage economic opportunity:

• Encourage minority-owned businesses: Are there policies or programs the City can put greater emphasis on or create to support minority-owned businesses?
• Create jobs available to local residents on an equitable basis: How can the City partner with local businesses to expand the City’s summer employment program for young people and expand the program to year round? Are there other steps the City could take regarding equitable job opportunities? Can local jobs be created during construction?

Promote inclusivity:

• How can the City provide opportunities for community engagement, for example, building on successful public arts projects such as the mural project on Holton Lane? What opportunities are there to encourage inclusive events and activities?
• How can the City encourage services, products, restaurants and other types of businesses at Takoma Junction that would be desired by a variety of residents in Takoma Park? For example, City could ask for that information in community surveys.

Accessibility:

• Continue discussions with SHA and the County about the reconfiguration of the intersection, location of bus stops, and sufficient parking, and ensure we are considering racial equity impacts in assessments.

Expand opportunity:

• How can the City best use additional revenue from the development to advance racial equity in the City? For example, Council could allocate a percentage of the property tax or ground lease revenue to go directly to the affordable housing reserve or to fund local recreation programs that serve low-income families and children, such as the free Lunch and Learn summer camp or the ACES afterschool program at Essex House.

Commitment to racial equity overall:

• Explore potential ways to assist low-income homeowners through property tax assistance programs, and build on and improve affordable housing policies and programs, including rent stabilization, the housing reserve fund, tenant advocacy and assistance, and more.

Consider the questions posed above and others related to racial equity at each step of the process and look for opportunities to create more racially equitable outcomes.

From Mayor Kate Stewart

I am writing on behalf of the City Council to inform the community about where things stand and next steps regarding the Takoma Junction redevelopment project.

First, I want to make sure that everyone is aware that the final traffic studies – by both A. Thomas Morton and The Traffic Group – have been posted to the project page and will be presented by the consultants at tonight’s (June 20) Council meeting. I encourage residents to review the material and attend the meeting (or watch the recording) to learn more about the findings of the studies. The Council will be discussing the studies that evening and will continue the discussion about the draft site plan and adjustments made based on Council feedback during the June 27 meeting.

We all appreciate the time and energy that has gone into coming to meetings, expressing concerns, and asking questions. As I have said in the past, our formal meeting setup is not conducive to real dialogue and back-and-forth conversations with residents. Knowing that, over the last couple of months, we added the open house and the pop-up event as part of our process and have had similar types of meetings over the past four years. In addition, most of us on the council have been holding many one on one or small group meetings with residents.

After much thinking about how best to offer additional opportunities for residents to provide feedback, we are adding a special meeting on July 9 to provide an opportunity for residents to engage with individual Councilmembers. We are still discussing how this will work logistically and will share information as soon as it is available. In addition, we continue to be available to meet one-on-one and in small groups with residents.

Regarding the draft resolution and timing for a vote, we expect that a draft resolution regarding the draft site plan will be posted the week of July 2, in advance of the first Council Work Session focused on the draft resolution, which we have scheduled for July 11. The Development Agreement requires that the Council vote on a resolution that would allow a draft site plan to proceed to the County’s formal development review process or, if the draft site plan does not meet Council’s approval, enter mediation with NDC.  The Voting Session is scheduled for July 25.

We have also been in process of reviewing our racial equity work overall, and specifically as it relates to the Takoma Junction project, and will share our thoughts on this within the week. This is an important part of our process and will continue to be so in the future.

Finally, I want to acknowledge that we were very pleased to learn that both Neighborhood Development Company and the Co-op have agreed to enter into mediation, which the City offered to sponsor in a letter to both parties dated May 24. We understand that NDC has requested that the Co-op select a mediator, at which point we hope the process can begin. The City Council continues to be committed – as it has for many years – to ensuring that reasonable accommodations for the Co-op are made as outlined in the Development Agreement. The process is such that if the proposed site plan proceeds through the formal development review process at the County level, we will have more detailed information to help us ensure that reasonable accommodations are made. As the process proceeds, there will likely need to be adjustments made to the site plan to address feedback from the Planning Board, Historic Preservation and State Highway once each of these agencies review the proposed plan. As such, if the process moves forward, we anticipate having to give ongoing attention to these needs throughout the development review process.

I have expressed these sentiments in a letter to the Co-op Board President, Rachel Hardwick, in response to her request at a recent Council meeting. In that letter, I assured Ms. Hardwick that the Council will hold a Work Session when mediation concludes so that Council can determine whether it believes that the accommodations made are reasonable. If the Council does not believe the proposed accommodations are reasonable, it can decide to request changes and pursue mediation between the City and NDC to address these issues, as outlined in the Development Agreement. If discussions between the City and NDC are unsuccessful, the project can be terminated. As we have been over the last four years, we are committed to a transparent process.

With all this in mind, here is a summary of next steps regarding the Council’s consideration of the project:

• June 20 – presentation of final traffic analysis by both traffic engineering consultants
• June 27 – continued discussion about site plan and adjustments made based on Council feedback and clarification on future steps
• Week of July 2 – draft Resolution made public in advance of July 11 Work Session on Resolution (as promised, we will solicit feedback from the Co-op on Whereas clause(s) pertaining to the Co-op)
• July 9 – One-on-one discussions with Councilmembers
• July 11 – Work Session on Resolution
• July 25 – Voting Session on Resolution

As we have stated, our vision for Takoma Junction is to create a well-functioning area overall. A thriving, beautiful, functional and funky Takoma Junction. Essential to this project succeeding is the continued success and involvement of the TPSS Co-op. We look forward to working with the community, with NDC, and with the Co-op to make this happen.

By Councilmember Terry Seamens

Takoma Park has a long history of activism which is derived from and spurred on by the passion of our residents. I have lived in Takoma Park for 35 years and had the privilege of serving as a Councilmember for about 18 years. I have experienced, and been a part of much of the activism. It’s a wonderful characteristic that has put Takoma Park on the map and made our small town known nationally and internationally. I am proud that we stand against injustice and make our voices heard wherever it rears its head. This activism has taken the form of powerful messages to federal lawmakers, protests in the streets of Washington, testimony in front of the State General Assembly, lobbying at Montgomery County Council meetings, public comments at City Council meetings, in blogs, and on listservs.

Today is a time of heightened partisanship and uncertainty, which is exacerbated by claims of fake news, the speed at which information is shared, and the many platforms people now have to communicate. Occasionally, we even see passions get the better of someone and it comes out in what they say and how they act.

I remember how divisiveness reached a fever pitch as the Community Center was being renovated, when the Fire Station was being rebuilt, when Washington Adventist Hospital was trying to expand on their current site, and to a lesser degree when the City was planning the dog park. We have been through this sort of thing many times.  Recent public comments at Council meetings and the ongoing debate regarding the Takoma Junction development shows that we have reached similar levels of passion.

Almost every issue the Council deals with and faces is difficult, even those that don’t seem so on the surface. Very rarely is there across-the-board agreement on anything. However, I believe we are such a strong city precisely because, even when we have strongly divided opinions, we remain civil, respectful and engage in meaningful debate and dialogue.

As we proceed through the difficult Takoma Junction development topic where there are very strong opinions, I hope we can refrain from personal attacks and misrepresentations aimed at strengthening an opinion. We are all in this together. If one thing is clear it’s that we have always had only the best interests of our wonderful, green, diverse, inclusive city in mind and at heart. Together we can reach the compromise that is best for all.

David Cronrath is the Associate Provost and former Dean of the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation at the University of Maryland. Mr. Cronrath has been serving as an independent, third-party advisor to the City Council as they consider the site plan design for the Takoma Junction Redevelopment project.

Town building is almost always a difficult task. The possibilities seem endless because the variables to consider are exceedingly numerous as are the wide array of constituents’ concerns. These combine to make the process to arrive at a resolution complicated and, more often than not, unpredictable. Therefore, it is not a surprise that the proposed development at Takoma Junction would foster lively discussions. In fact, the alternatives and discussions is the hallmark of a positive process, even if it is painful at times. What is often at the center of these discussions are different definitions of the problem – differences that arise because of competing visions for the future and often disagreement over the limits of context that define the situation. While I cannot begin to make a calculation of the ideal future, nor unambiguously define the circumstances within which town planning is to be conducted, I can offer an assessment of the proposed design by NDC – pointing out positive features and suggest some considerations that could enhance the proposal.

If one accepts the proposal as a plausible future, then there are several positive features that are noteworthy in the design and resulting townscape it creates. The following are the assets, and some additional opportunities that I see in the physical design:

1. Keeping the new building aligned with the Co-op’s front façade makes for a stronger and mutually reinforcing streetscape for the new retail and the existing Co-op. The Co-op is set back from the curb. Holding this setback for the new development integrates the existing and the new to make a continuous facade that does not make the Co-op feel removed or hidden from its neighbors. This configuration also means a wider pedestrian area where sidewalk seating will not decrease pedestrian flow. With plantings and street furniture the wider space will make a comfortable pedestrian experience, keeping pedestrians closer to shop windows which is more pleasant for them and advantageous to retailers. It is the continuous street façade, albeit of different buildings, that helps make this part of Takoma a positive townscape. Replicating this idea for the Takoma Junction development is a good idea.

2. Providing a canopy overhanging the sidewalk and extending along the length of the proposed development enhances the pedestrian experience by giving a sense of intimacy and protection. Making the height of the canopy match the height of the Co-op building is a strong asset for the new design. Obviously, the canopy provides a dry place to walk during a summer shower, the “eyebrow” also keeps visual interest lower and at a consistent height. This design device further bridges the existing with the proposed while making a pleasant scale when walking along the entire streetscape. If the underside of the canopy were to be lit at night the result would be a well-lit and safe environment without source light bleeding into neighboring properties. Such a lighting strategy would reduce the need for multiple, brightly lit internally illuminated retail signs – making a better pedestrian environment. The canopy is an architectural device to make sure the proposed development is a good neighbor as well as integrating the development into a quality pedestrian experience.

This canopy does not have to align with the first floor ceiling height. It can just as easily skim along the bottom of the second floor window sills.

3. In addition to a wide sidewalk the site design has a deeper set back from the curb at the southern end of the complex. Here the building’s front recedes a bit more to enlarge the public realm and make a space where people can congregate to watch a juggler, hear a musician, or sit watching the world pass. It is an asset to the townscape, but such a place is difficult to correctly design. Set back the retail too far from the pedestrian flow and the store becomes isolated and removed from those walking by, it is a dark recess. If the recess is not set back far enough, the resulting space is gratuitous, under utilized, and accumulates trash and leaves. My judgment is the design team has struck the right balance. When this outdoor expanse is combined with an open retail façade it permits patrons to feel as if they are sitting outside while still inside the confines of the building. The result will further activate the space yet not detract from the mini-plaza’s public nature.

A positive feature is that the mini-plaza is defined on all sides. This will contain the space and discourage children in the space from darting into the access way to the parking garage. The need for a watchful eye is still required, but a careful design on landscaping along the edges will define a pleasant place for activity that is not retail.

4. In recent years designers have presented a wide range of sidewalk fronts for retail that blur inside and outside and make the pedestrian experience richer — garage doors that open the interior to the sidewalk, windows that disappear in nice weather, super clear all-glass storefronts are all part of this vocabulary. These exterior devises make the sidewalk livelier and increase the sense of public activity and social ambience. The proposal has incorporated these window options depending on the nature of the enterprise behind. As the design progresses, and tenants become known, these options need to be preserved.

5. One of the weaker aspects of the proposed design is the current strategy for servicing the new functions. In a townscape that features a positive pedestrian environment it is not odd to have a small walkway off the sidewalk that leads to trash pickup. However, wheeling small dumpsters out to the curb for truck pickup requires considerable on-site management and a consistent clean up to make the public sidewalks respectable. Add the need to retain the food waste from a restaurant and the situation can present additional challenges – like a refrigerated cold box to store waste until pick-up. There may be other strategies, like storage at the end of the ramp to the parking garage that could be explored and might provide an easier alternative. In any case, should other options prove insufficient, it does seem that the current plans will need to expand the service area. No matter what option is finally pursued a well-managed maintenance plan should be incorporated to keep the area neat and tidy for the public.

6. The wooded area at the rear of the site and along Columbia Avenue is being preserved, and if carefully nurtured can serve as a useful buffer to the residences near the site. With modest investment the wooded area can become a habitat for birds and an asset to neighbors. Construction will disrupt some of this area so it is important to replant the area with trees and undergrowth to protect this natural buffer.

7. Placing the parking garage entry at the far western edge of the site and away from the intersection is a good decision – it maximizes the opportunity for cars leaving the garage to make turns and continue on their way. Make no mistake, it will be a challenge for people leaving the garage at rush hour … it’s always a challenge at rush hours at this intersection! However, given the size of the development I do not believe it will add appreciable rush-hour traffic to the intersection of Carroll and Ethan Allen Avenues.

Another advantage to the garage access way is that it permits cars leaving the garage to be on level ground before entering traffic. This is important because it provides the driver better visibility of traffic and pedestrians when exiting. The additional setback in the plan to the east of the garage entry will also make it easier for drivers to see pedestrians. Cars achieving a level ground and drivers having good visibility of the sidewalk when exiting the garage should be guidelines for the design as it moves forward.

The placement of the garage has several other positive design features. Making the parking garage open air to the South will create greater personal safety and security since people in the garage will be less isolated, unlike in a completely underground and buried garage.  Having it open across the South is an advantage, providing care is taken during design to offset potential negative features:  a) The height of the sill of any opening should be sufficiently high so headlights do not shine directly out. b) A good planting buffer should be maintained between the back of the garage and down the hill to Columbia Avenue. This will also help mitigate noise from the garage. c) The interior lighting in the garage should be indirect and light should be directed at the ceiling rather than the ground.  This will mitigate the light from the lamps shining outside the garage through any openings.

8. A loading zone is created at curbside for the proposed development. It is one of the more controversial aspects of the proposal. Of course, curbside loading zones are not out of the ordinary. We see it often in more developed areas that follow early 20th century development patterns. Given the debate I do wonder if the controversy would be as vigilant had the loading zone been set aside for the incidental panel or step truck servicing retail shops? From what I understand, the large tractor-trailer trucks required to service the Co-op has most people concerned. These large trucks require considerable space to maneuver if brought onto the site, and should this alternative be pursued any development of the site is likely either impractical or implausible. There is a trade off calculation that needs to be made here – accept the periodic large truck in the loading zone and a more lively retail development, or keep large truck access to the site.

Dear Takoma Park Community,

On April 4^th at our City Council meeting, Neighborhood Development Company — our partner in redeveloping the lot at Takoma Junction — will present their draft site-plan. I wanted to take this opportunity to lay out the process, schedule, and opportunities for public feedback over the next few weeks.

But first, thank you to everyone who has continued to stay engaged and provide feedback. Together we are making this a better project and I am excited to work together on this next phase.

Our vision for Takoma Junction is to create a well-functioning area overall – not just a redevelopment of the parking lot.

To this end, in October, the Council passed a Resolution to direct Neighborhood Development Company (NDC) on elements we need to see in their draft site plan following their presentation last fall of a concept plan.  Since October, the City also undertook its own independent traffic study in addition to the study conducted by NDC, which the Council will be reviewing during the month of April as we look for ways to improve the functionality of Takoma Junction for pedestrians, bikers, and drivers.

What is a site plan?

On April 4^th, NDC will present a draft site plan for the lot at Takoma Junction. What is a site plan and what should we expect to receive?

In general, a site plan is an architectural plan and engineering drawing of proposed changes to a piece of property and impacted surrounding areas. A site plan usually shows a building footprint, site design and accessories (such as walkways and trails, landscaping, and green elements), parking, and vehicle and pedestrian access and control. We expect to receive a site plan that incorporates these elements on April 4^th.

After the presentation of NDC’s draft site plan on April 4^th, the City Council will have a series of work sessions focused on specific aspects of the plan at our weekly public meetings.

As we look at the site plan, we will want to see a project that is lasting, memorable and reflective of the community and character of Takoma Park. The goal is for this redevelopment to create a more flourishing Takoma Junction, with improved opportunities for residents and businesses.

The Council has repeatedly stated that we want the Co-op to thrive and continue to be an integral part of our community, and we believe we can both redevelop the parking lot and continue to have a vibrant and successful Co-op. We believe this project will help the Co-op by bringing more foot traffic and amenities to the Junction.

What is the next step after the presentation of the site plan?

After the site plan is presented on April 4^th, we will hold a series of work sessions during public meetings, outlined below. NDC can continue to tweak their plans based on feedback from these sessions throughout the month of April. The Council is tentatively scheduled to vote on whether to approve the site plan at our May 9^th Council meeting, if not approved there will be further discussions with NDC about next steps per the Development Agreement. Approval of the site plan would signal to NDC that they can proceed with finalizing and submitting the plan to the County. For more details on the County process, please see the discussion from the February 14^th City Council meeting when we invited representatives from the County’s Planning Department to walk us through the process.

What opportunities are there for public input?

There will be many opportunities for public input. Residents can share their thoughts during the public comment period at our weekly public meetings, email the City Clerk to have written comments shared with the City Council and included in the public record, and/or contact their City Council representatives directly.

There will also be an Open House on April 7 when residents can have more conversational-style exchanges with City staff, representatives from NDC, and the City Council.

In addition, residents will have an opportunity to see a mockup of the site on April 22 at the Takoma Junction parking lot, where there will be markings designating the placement of the building and other features.

We have received helpful and insightful feedback about the project so far, and we look forward to more as we make Takoma Junction a place we all want to see and can be proud of.

What will be the process over the next several weeks?

Over the next few weeks, we will be receiving the site plan and other information about the project proposal. After a series of public meetings, which will provide numerous opportunities for dialogue and public comment, the Council is scheduled to vote to take action on the site plan on May 9^th. As noted above, this will be the point where Council will consider approving the site plan, which would signal to NDC that they can proceed with finalizing and submitting the plan to the County for the next steps in the process.

Here is the current schedule of meetings and events to discuss, ask questions, and provide feedback on the draft site plan (more detailed information is available on the Takoma Junction Project page).

• April 4^th NDC Presentation at City Council meeting of Takoma Junction Site Plan
• April 7^th Open House – a chance to come and ask questions and provide feedback (childcare will be provided)
• April 11^th Work session on “Building Design and Placement on the Property”
• April 18^th Work session on “Public Space and Sustainability Features”
• April 22^nd Pop-Up at the Takoma Junction – a chance to visit the lot, see markings designating public space, placement of the building, and other features
• April 25^th Work session on “Traffic and Circulation” (City Council Meeting will begin at 6:30 pm and childcare will be provided)
• May 2^nd Council discussion of Draft Resolution regarding Site Plan
• May 9^th Tentatively scheduled City Council vote on a Resolution on draft site plan

In addition to these formal times to meet, discuss, and ask questions, each of us on the Council is available to meet with smaller groups and individuals for feedback and input.

Working together

In the fall, I told many of you about my experience with the Sligo Mill Playground. When I was first elected to the City Council, discussions and plans for this playground had already begun, but the community, gardeners, and neighbors, were not at all in agreement. Many of the gardeners did not want the playground because it meant the loss of some of the community garden plots and asked me to stop the plans for the playground, while some of the neighbors requested that more of the garden plots be removed to make space for a larger playground. There were tense and heated discussions and emails about the size of the playground, placement of the water tower, and other issues. However, through it all, we kept meeting and talking and listening and compromising. And now we have a terrific new playground and community garden space.

I learned many lessons from that experience, which I have tried to bring to our discussion of the Takoma Junction redevelopment. I am confident that by continuing to have productive, respectful dialogue with each other, we can have a thriving, beautiful, funky, and functional Takoma Junction.

• As we embark on this next phase, I want to reiterate my personal vision for Takoma Junction:
• A place where we can walk to and bump into friends and family.
• A place to sit and read or just enjoy a warm spring day.
• A place we can meet and enjoy a meal or pick up a last-minute birthday present.
• A place where residents who live in other parts of the City and especially those just a few blocks away feel welcome and come to shop, mingle, and work.
• A place that enhances the beauty of our community by replacing a surface parking lot with a building featuring advanced environmental features and eliminating stormwater runoff.
• A place where local residents with the dream of opening a business in the City have a place to do that, and a place for an existing business in the City needing more space to relocate.
• A place that reflects who we are and our values so that when people come to Takoma Junction they know they are in Takoma Park.

In the months to come, we will continue to be guided by the Resolution by the Council setting its goals for the project and the Development Agreement, both of which had extensive public input. You can also find a number of question and answer documents to the most frequently asked questions as we have gone through this process on the project page.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to the collaboration in the weeks ahead.

Best,
Mayor Stewart

*entry originally posted on March 23, 2018

From Kacy Kostiuk, Councilmember, Ward 3

The Takoma Park City Council adopted its 2018 Council Priorities on March 7, 2018. The priorities include five overarching themes with goals, strategies, and desired outcomes in each priority area. The themes are:

• A Livable Community for All
• Fiscally Sustainable Government
• Environmentally Sustainable Community
• Engaged, Responsive, Service-Oriented Government
• Community Development for an Improved and Equitable Quality of Life

Setting and regularly revisiting priorities is a best practice in many fields and can benefit a local government in several ways. The priorities we set for 2018 will inform the development of the Takoma Park City budget and will be our “roadmap,” indicating the strategic direction of the City Council for its three year term with an emphasis on the coming year. We will regularly refer to the priorities during policy and budgeting discussions.

Our 2018 Council Priorities grew out of multiple work sessions and discussions. Prior to our vote to adopt the priorities, we developed and refined the priorities document during two retreats in January, held a work session at a City Council meeting on February 7, discussed priorities with City staff in a public meeting on February 28, and discussed priorities during the joint Green Team meeting with the Committee on the Environment.

In addition to detailing goals, strategies, and desired outcomes, the document lists major projects, initiatives, and ongoing activities that the City Council and City staff will continue to work on.

The City has already begun work on several goals included in the 2018 Council Priorities. To name a few: we have held work sessions to work toward the development of a Housing and Economic Development Strategic Plan which will guide future steps toward ensuring affordable and stable housing options and providing programming to make the City more welcoming to residents and the business community. We are working to increase the use of renewable energy throughout the City and recently awarded a contract to Clean Choice Energy to conduct research on rates, business reliability, and contract terms to make it easier for people to switch to 100 percent renewable power by providing information in a more accessible, reliable way. We have implemented a racial equity framework and plan to broaden what we are doing to include training opportunities for residents. We will be rethinking the structure and staffing of the Police Department to emphasize and improve our approach to community policing.

There may be times when we need to make adjustments to the priorities or change direction due to unforeseen issues or new opportunities to achieve desired outcomes, but having a priorities document helps keep us on track and provides an important outline of our goals and direction for the coming year.

We encourage you to take a look at the 2018 Council Priorities and help us work toward achieving these goals. We encourage residents to join a City board, commission, or committee, as well as share your thoughts during the public comment period at our weekly City Council meetings, or contact your representative directly to share your thoughts and ideas. By outlining our priorities and working together to achieve our goals, we can build a stronger and more positive future for our City.