To: kacyk kacyk@takomaparkmd.gov
Sent: Fri, Jul 13, 2018 6:05 pm
Subject: Ward 3 Survey on the Junction
Sent: Fri, Jul 13, 2018 6:05 pm
Subject: Ward 3 Survey on the Junction
Dear Kacy,
As your constituents, we respectfully urge you to survey the residents of Ward 3 on whether or not they support the current Takoma Junction site plan, before you vote on the Junction Resolution.
As you know, there is precedent for this, with at least two other Council members having done Ward surveys on the Junction in the past.
We understand that you are elected to use your judgement in City matters. But we also believe that, because our Ward will be the most affected by the development, you have a particular ethical responsibility to represent your constituents in Ward 3 in this matter.
In order to have as many days as possible for constituent responses, especially deep in summer, we would strongly suggest putting up the survey as quickly as possible. As we’re sure you understand, any later questions about the objectivity in the framing of the question would negate the survey results. We’ve included suggested language here.
As your Ward 3 representative, I will be voting YES or NO on July 25th on a resolution on the proposed site plan for development of the parking lot owned by the City at Takoma Junction. The Draft Resolution is here. The developer’s site plan is here.
If the resolution is approved, the plan goes before County and State agencies for approval.
Please register your opinion as to whether, as your representative, you would want me to:
A. Vote YES
B. Vote NO
Some neighbors in the last few days have asked us when residents will get to vote on the Junction plan. The process has been long and complex, and unfortunately, many neighbors deep in summer are still not aware that the Council will vote on July 25th.
Thank you for taking this final, important step to ensure clear feedback from your constituents.
Natalie Angier, David Blockstein, Megan Christopher, Leah Curry-Rood, Joan Duncan, Meriwether Jones, Sue Katz Miller, Merrill Leffler, Susanne Lowen, Ben Miller, Paul Miller, Dara Orenstein, Chas Poor, Debra Prybyla, Ron Resetarits, Roger Schlegel, Ann Slayton, Joe Uehlein, Paul Wapner, Rick Weiss
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Re: Ward 3 Survey on the Junction
From: Kacy Kostiuk, kacyk@takomaparkmd.gov
Date: Mon, Jul 16, 2018 2:09 pm
Dear Sue, Natalie, David, Megan, Leah, Joan, Meriwether, Merrill, Susanne, Ben, Paul, Dara, Chas, Debra, Ron, Roger, Ann, Joe, Paul, and Rick:
Thank you for reaching out to me with this request.
I appreciate your interest in having a survey conducted on the Junction project. Throughout this process, I have sought to engage as many people as possible in this discussion and to carefully and thoroughly review the comments and information that residents have shared with me. I have very much appreciated the high level of civic engagement on this issue and believe it has and will continue to result in an improved project.
Over the past few months, I have engaged in a lot of listening and thinking about the Junction. I have spoken with and heard from residents at the Junction Project Open House, the Pop-Up, the One-on-One Conversations event last week, public comment sessions at every Council meeting since the beginning of April, two listening sessions that I arranged for Ward 3 residents, the traffic discussion with SHA at the firehouse, neighborhood gatherings, small-group meetings, one-on-one discussions, phone calls, emails, and listserv comments.
Thorough this process, I have carefully considered the perspectives of Ward 3 residents in particular. Based on what I have heard, I have asked questions of NDC, the traffic firms, and City staff, and I have requested changes to the plan. These include:
- Adding an elevator to the west side of the building next to the Coop
- Reducing the building height of up to 5 feet while maintaining natural light in the interior spaces
- Minimizing negative impacts on the wooded lot behind the building
- Setting 2700 sq ft as the minimum amount of public space
- Minimizing noise and lighting impacts on the neighborhood from the rear of the building and requiring outdoor lights with no higher than 3000K temperature
- Adding language to the resolution to require “non-formula” businesses without the Council’s consent
- Dedicating a portion of the revenue from the project to the affordable housing fund
- Requesting that NDC’s traffic firm complete an analysis of traffic based on a restaurant rather than just a shopping center prior to submitting to the County
- Mediation between the Coop and NDC
I am still reviewing the Site Plan and Draft Resolution and considering if there are additional changes that need to be addressed prior to the vote.
Although I understand the impetus to call for a survey, I do not believe this would provide me with new information that would better inform my decision-making process. Through all the engagement opportunities noted above, I have had opportunities to talk with and hear from residents, gaining a general sense of residents’ diverse range of perspectives throughout the ward. The most important feedback I have gotten has focused on concrete aspects of the project or specific concerns. These concerns have led to the changes I noted above, as well as others, and to me reconsidering the plan in a new light. This is a vote on a resolution that involves a series of proposed changes to the project as well as opportunities for further amendments — not just a “yes” or “no.”
I can understand how frustrating it would be to feel that I am not listening. I assure you that I have been and continue to be interested in hearing all of the opinions shared with me. If you or others would like to talk more in-depth, I am happy to do so. Anyone who feels they haven’t had a chance to share their thoughts is encouraged to email, call, or arrange a meeting with me. I have appreciated all the input, and my discussions with residents have led to the changes I listed above and others.
Thank you again.
Best,
Kacy
Kacy
*****
