Author: Candace Wilkinson

Testimony at Oversight Hearing for DMPED & OP

We commend DMPED for listing affordable housing as one of its top 5 priorities. This is a welcome explicit commitment from the office. DC’s strong population growth and fiscal position enable it to respond to this crisis with policies and funding to directly address the housing needs of our moderate and low income families.

Testimony to restore capital funding to the Bicycle Pedestrian Priority Areas

While Bicycle Pedestrian Priority Areas were first created 20 years ago by state legislation, the program has been slow to start. Now, as driving has begun to decline in the county over the last decade and rates of walking, cycling, and transit use in the county have been on the rise, it’s more important than ever to ensure it is safe and comfortable to walk, cycle, and take transit. Last year, people driving struck 483 people who were walking in the county – 60 more people than in 2013. We have much more work to do.

Support for BZA Case Number 18866 – 1108 16th Street, NW

We wish to express our support for the proposed reduced parking to a total of 4 spaces to serve the redevelopment project at 1108 16th Street, NW which will provide office space and 15 residences, while preserving the historic façade of the original building. Given the awkward site and preserved historic features, the reduced parking is reasonable relief, especially for such an accessible location. 

State Transportation Priority Letter to Montgomery Co. Council

State law governing the priority letter process “requires MDOT and the local jurisdictions seeking project funding to demonstrate the relationship between prioritized projects and the long-term goals of the Maryland Transportation Plan and local land use plans.” The goals of the Maryland Transportation Plan focus on safety for all users, system preservation, and environmental conservation.

Aligning the Rockville School Standards with Montgomery County’s School Standards

Young people and families increasingly want to live in walkable, transit-accessible communities like Rockville, with its mix of both old and new walkable neighborhoods. Empty-nesters looking to downsize are looking for new housing options that allow them to stay in and continue to contribute to the community. 

Testimony to DC Council to Reconsider the Proposed R20-1136 – Fifth & I Streets NW Disposition Approval Resolution of 2014

We urge the council to reconsider DMPED’s selection of the TPC 5th & I LLC proposal because it does not respond to a key affordable housing provision in the Request for Expressions of Interest (REFI). Specifically, the TPC 5th & I Partners LLC proposal is not responsive to the RFEI, release date April 25,
2013 (revised), because the proposal offers off-site affordable housing, and thus in not compliant with the RFEI’s explicit request regarding affordable housing on-site:

Sign-On Letter to Transportation Planning Board on Cutting Carbon Emissions

The undersigned organizations call on the National Capital Transportation Planning Board (TPB) to strengthen the resolution before it to affirm COG’s accepted long range CO2 target of 80% reductions by 2050 in two ways: 1) Include a deadline of September 30, 2015 to complete committee work and the final report in time to inform the next CLRP process