DC-MD Neighbors for Takoma Transit (www.dc-mdneighborsfortakomatransit.org)

As residents of Takoma DC and Takoma Park, MD, we have serious concerns about the design of the proposed apartment building at the Takoma Metro Station. The building as currently proposed is incompatible with the surrounding historic neighborhoods in Washington and Maryland.  WE SUPPORT A BUILDING AT THE SITE, BUT WE OPPOSE THE CURRENT PROPOSAL UNLESS THE FOLLOWING CONCERNS ARE ADDRESSED:

• At 7 stories high, over 75 feet tall, and more than 400 feet in length, the building would exceed zoning limits by at least 20 feet; be more than 20 feet higher than all the recently built apartments near Takoma Station; tower above the single family homes across the street and the garden apartments next to it; and threaten the historic structures in the neighborhood. WE URGE THE BUILDING'S HEIGHT AND SIZE TO BE CUT TO A LEVEL COMPATIBLE WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

• The proposed building encroaches on valuable green space at the Metro site, including the park along Cedar and Carroll, the green buffer by the garden apartments, and mature trees throughout the site. WE URGE THE PERMANENT PRESERVATION OF THE ENTIRETY OF THE PARK, AND THE PERMANENT PRESERVATION OF THE BUFFER, AS WELL AS THE ADOPTION OF A STRONG TREE PLAN.

• The other apartment buildings recently constructed in the Takoma area have underground parking. This option can help reduce the overall height of the building to a level more in keeping with the other structures in the area. WE URGE SERIOUS CONSIDERATION BE GIVEN TO UNDERGROUND PARKING, AND WE CALL FOR FULL ANALYSIS OF THE COSTS OF ALL UNDERGROUND PARKING OPTIONS.