Are you a renter, a homeowner, landlord, housing advocate or just interested in local housing issues? Please join us on Monday, February 26 at 7:00 pm in the Auditorium of the Community Center as we continue the conversation on how to address the Takoma Park City Council’s interests in providing diverse housing opportunities to residents throughout our community. We welcome your input.

Representatives from Mullin & Lonergan, one of the firms working on the City’s upcoming strategic plan, will provide background information on current conditions in Takoma Park and the region, give an overview of the feedback gathered from local housing representatives, and discuss the housing recommendations included in the draft Strategic Plan.

Audience members will have an opportunity to ask questions and provide comment to the City Council.

Unable to attend? Weigh in on the discussion on Facebook Live or provide your feedback online at bit.ly/2jnK1fV

The City of Takoma Park will hold a seminar on “Tree Protection Measures for Professionals”  Saturday 02/24/18 from 9 am to 11.30 am in the Azalea room at the Community Center (7500 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912).

Mr. Keith Pitchford will present information about tree preservation measures during construction and Mr.  Jan van Zutphen, Urban Forest Manager with the City of Takoma Park, will provide information about the requirements for tree preservation in the City Code.

While the seminar is geared towards professionals in the fields of landscape design, architecture and construction, anyone is welcome. (RSVP appreciated but not required).  Refreshments will be served.  For more info/RSVP: JanVZ@takomaparkmd.gov or 301-891-7612.

Although the Commemoration Commission public hearing comment period has ended, comments may still be submitted for the City Council’s consideration.  Please submit your comments via this online form.

Background Information

The City Council held a work session discussion on September 13, 2017 about names of City streets and parks that are associated with Civil War figures. Some options under consideration by the Council include the following:

1) seek authority from the Montgomery County Planning Department to change the street names;

2) rely on the procedure already in place for residences and businesses on a street to petition the Montgomery County Planning Department for a street name change, or;

3) maintain the current street names but add commemorative names or markers to the streets to provide a historical context.

Any of these options would require a community process to ensure that the decision reflects the views of the residents on the streets in question.

The Commemoration Commission held a public hearing to gather comments and suggestions from residents, especially those living on the streets potentially named for Civil War generals: Grant Avenue, Hancock Avenue, Lee Avenue, Sheridan Avenue, and Sherman Avenue.

Comments and suggestions were requested on the following options:

1) pursue renaming of the street(s) through the formal process with Montgomery County;

2) maintain the street names but add a commemorative name and signage to provide historic context for the existing names; or,

3) make no change.

The public hearing took place on January 29, 2018.  View the video.

The Takoma Park Grants Review Committee is accepting preliminary applications for organizations seeking funding through the City of Takoma Park’s FY19 Community Grants Program.

The City of Takoma Park’s Community Grants Program is designed to provide financial support for specific programs, projects and events that improve residents’ quality of life by providing greater access and opportunities for participation in the arts and sciences.

“The Community Grants Program is valuable in that it supports small-scale, professional, and innovative STEM and Arts programs — programs like after-school art therapy for elementary school students; training in both documentary film production and radio production for middle and high school students; and original theater production for our adult neighbors who are refugees, to name a few,” said Erin Kelley, Grants Coordinator. “These programs have a direct, positive impact on the City’s low- to moderate- income residents who might not otherwise be able to access this type of programming.”

A Preliminary Application is required for all applications and individuals are encouraged to review the Guidelines for the Community Grants Program prior to submitting their application.

All prospective applicants, including those who have received grant awards under previous cycles of the Community Grants Program, are encouraged to attend one of two informational sessions. The information presented at each of the two sessions will be identical and will be held in the Hydrangea Room of the Takoma Park Community Center on:

• Monday, February 5, 2018 from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
• Thursday, February 8, 2018 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Preliminary Applications can be found by visiting this link. The deadline for submission of a Preliminary Application is 4:30 p.m. on Monday, February 26, 2018.

For more information, please contact the City of Takoma Park Housing and Community Development Department at 301- 891-7119 or grants@takomaparkmd.gov.

The Montgomery County Planning Board approved the Working Draft for the Bicycle Master Plan last month. A public hearing for the Bicycle Master Plan is now scheduled for Thursday, January 25, 2018 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Planning Department headquarters (8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD).

View the Bicycle Master Plan Public Hearing Draft.

The community is invited to sign up to testify about the Bicycle Master Plan at the public hearing. Sign up to testify online beginning on January 15.

The public is also encouraged to submit comments about the Bicycle Master Plan via email to mcp-chair@mncppc.org.  These comments will become part of the public testimony and public record for the Plan.

For questions or additional information, please contact: David Anspacher at 301-495-2191

Public Hearing / Meeting Regarding Takoma Park Streets Potentially Named after Civil War Generals (Grant, Hancock, Lee, Sheridan, and Sherman Avenues)

Monday, January 29, 2018 – 7:30 p.m.
Takoma Park Community Center Auditorium

Public Hearing Agenda 

The City Council held a work session discussion on September 13, 2017 about names of City streets and parks that are associated with Civil War figures. Some options under consideration by the Council include the following:

1) seek authority from the Montgomery County Planning Department to change the street names;

2) rely on the procedure already in place for residences and businesses on a street to petition the Montgomery County Planning Department for a street name change, or;

3) maintain the current street names but add commemorative names or markers to the streets to provide a historical context.

Any of these options would require a community process to ensure that the decision reflects the views of the residents on the streets in question.

The Commemoration Commission is developing a recommendation for the City Council’s consideration. To inform the recommendation, the Commission is holding this public hearing to gather comments and suggestions from residents, especially those living on the streets potentially named for Civil War generals: Grant Avenue, Hancock Avenue, Lee Avenue, Sheridan Avenue, and Sherman Avenue.

Comments and suggestions are requested on the following options:

1) pursue renaming of the street(s) through the formal process with Montgomery County;

2) maintain the street names but add a commemorative name and signage to provide historic context for the existing names; or,

3) make no change.

The meeting will begin with an explanation of the process for making a street name change request to the Montgomery County Planning Department.

Please plan to attend the public hearing on Monday, January 29, 7:30 p.m. in the Community Center Auditorium.

Written comments are also being accepted through an online comment form.

The Commemoration Commission is a City Council-appointed commission that documents, maintains, and preserves past, present, and future memorials, commemoratives, and recognitions in the City. The Commission also recommends to the City Council procedures and programs for honors and recognitions and implements those programs.

The Safe Roadways Committee meeting scheduled for December 19 has been canceled.

If you’ve traveled around Takoma Park during the past month or so you’ve probably noticed green, orange, and yellow bikes in all sorts of places. Montgomery County has partnered with several dockless bikeshare companies to increase access to sustainable transportation options in our area, and Takoma Park recently signed on to the agreement. Unlike Capital Bikeshare, the new dockless bikes do not rely on a fixed bike parking station and can be parked almost anywhere. Customers use a mobile phone application to locate a nearby bike with GPS. The process for using this new bikeshare is quick and easy. Although each dockless bikeshare company has their own process, many follow the same basic steps:

1. Download the dockless bikeshare mobile application.
2. Open the mobile application, create a profile, and locate a bike using GPS.
3. Unlock a bike by scanning a code and start the ride.
4. Park your bike in a responsible location and close your lock to end the trip.

For a complete overview of each we suggest you review their website (links below) or mobile applications.

The dockless bikeshare program in Montgomery County is still in the pilot stage and that means that their might be a few “speed bumps” along the way. It’s important to remember these best practices while you are using the dockless bikeshare.

Best Practice Tips:

1. Please don’t block sidewalks or driveways when parking your bike. Dockless bikeshares only work if we all take responsibility and park in places that don’t block car traffic, impede pedestrian access, or encroach on private property. If you see a bike in a place it should not be, you can contact the individual companies:
   • LimeBike: support@limebike.com
   • Ofo: support@ofobike.com
   • Spin: support@spin.pm
2. Feedback should be directed to the County’s 311 line at 311. This can be done by calling 240-777-0311 or visiting their website online.
3. Visit the dockless bikeshare company’s website for more information. Whether you’re riding with LimeBike, Ofo, Mobike, or Spin, it’s important you review their FAQ information.
4. Remember bike safety! Wear a helmet, reflective clothing, and obey all bike laws wherever you go.

We hope this brief overview will help make the dockless bikeshare pilot go smoothly. As always, if we all do our part and are respectful of other’s space and property we can make this program a success. Takoma Park has a strong commitment to both sustainability and access for all and we see these new bikeshare programs as a nice intersection of both. For further information or to submit a comment please visit Montgomery County’s website. Happy and safe riding!

City Offices and Facilities will be closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday November 23-26, 2017.

There will be no trash collection or leaf collection on Thursday, November 23 or Friday, November 24. Thursday trash will be collected on Wednesday, and Friday trash will be collected on Saturday.

Leaf collection will resume on Saturday, November 25th for posted streets on Carroll, Ethan Allen and Philadelphia Ave.

Thank you for your understanding.

We are thankful for our amazing residents and wish all those who are celebrating a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Wednesday, November 1  – 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Takoma Park Community Center, 7500 Maple Avenue

Thursday, November 2 – 8:00 am to 2 pm
Takoma Park Community Center, 7500 Maple Avenue

Friday, November 3 – 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Takoma Park Recreation Center, 7315 New Hampshire Avenue

Saturday, November 4 – 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Takoma Park Community Center, 7500 Maple Avenue

Sunday, November 5 – noon to 6:00 pm
Washington Adventist University, Wilkinson Hall, 7715 Flower

ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7
Vote 7:00 am to 8:00 pm
Takoma Park Community Center, 7500 Maple Avenue