Cover letter:

	The Old Town Residents' Association (OTRA) represents
approximately 520 households in Takoma Park, Maryland.  OTRA's
neighborhood is immediately adjacent to the Takoma Metro property slated
for development by EYA.  OTRA members and our neighborhood are concerned
parties in the development process.

	We very much appreciate the assistance lent to members of the 
greater Takoma community who have been working to ensure that development 
at the Takoma Metro site is transit and community friendly.  OTRA 
therefore passed the following Resolution at our January 26, 2006 monthly 
meeting.  Please relay this resolution with our thanks and our hope that 
he will continue to be engaged to the benefit of his Takoma Park 
constituents.

	Sincerely,

					Seth Grimes, OTRA President


Resolution:


Whereas the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA)
has contracted development of the Takoma Metro site to EYA,

Whereas the Old Town Residents' Association (OTRA) highly values both the
transportation facilities at the Takoma Metro station and the existing
green space at the site,

Whereas Metro-site development must prioritize transit needs and respond
to the Takoma Central District Plan and Takoma Transportation Study,

Whereas OTRA supports a safe, liveable, walkable community as called for
in these documents and others,

Whereas OTRA is particularly concerned about mitigation of the development
impact on Eastern Avenue and the surrounding neighborhood and their
pedestrian systems as called for in the transportation study,

Whereas OTRA is particularly concerned that current levels of on-site
parking be preserved for Metro station users,

Whereas OTRA joins cross-jurisdictional community and business
organizations in supporting and promoting Carroll St. NW as Old Takoma's
Main Street joining the District of Columbia and Maryland,


The Old Town Residents' Association (OTRA) resolves that

Development plans must prioritize the transit usability of the site by
commuters and part-day users of the station, by pedestrians, bicylists,
bus patrons, and drivers,

Development plans must preserve the current number of on-site parking
spaces,

Any development of the site must be responsive to the transportation
findings and recommendations of the Takoma Central District Plan and
Takoma Transportation Study,

OTRA commends and supports the activism of the coalition of private
citizens and officials working to ensure development responsiveness to
community concerns,

OTRA supports Resolution 2005-59 of the Council of the City of Takoma Park
and commends the helpful intercession of Congressman Chris Van Hollen.

OTRA calls on elected and appointed public officials from the city,
Montgomery County, the State of Maryland, and the federal government to
continue to intercede to ensure that public needs as defined in part by
the resolution are met.



Contact:

Seth Grimes
President, Old Town Residents' Association
301-270-0795
grimes@altaplana.com


References:

(1) Takoma Central District Plan:
http://planning.dc.gov/planning/cwp/view,a,1285,q,571819,planningnav,%7C32341%7C.asp

(2) Takoma Transportation Study:
http://www.ddot.dc.gov/ddot/cwp/view,a,1249,q,561963.asp

(3) Resolution 2005-59 of the Council of the City of Takoma Park:
http://www.takomagov.org/clerk/resolutions/2005/r200559.pdf