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PRESENT: | ||
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Mayor Williams Councilmember Daniels-Cohen Councilmember Grimes Councilmember Male Councilmember Schultz Councilmember Seamens Councilmember Snipper |
City Manager Matthews City Clerk Carpenter Deputy City Manager Ludlow HCD Director Daines Public Works Director Braithwaite | |
Mr. Williams provided information about upcoming agenda items.
Pat Loveless, Maple Avenue, commented that he would like to see more community participation. He encouraged voter registration and turnout, and noted upcoming antiwar demonstrations and Occupy DC activities.
Nina Garfield, Ward 2, spoke in support of having a crossing guard at Takoma Junction.
Ms. Garfield’s daughter also commented about how difficult it is to cross at that location.
Sally Kern commented that it is unrealistic to expect walkers to do the crossing in two phases. Pedestrian crossing should come before vehicle crossing. Before the light timing was changed pedestrians could cross in one stage. She also suggested a no exit sign from the Co-op and from Grant Avenue.
David Rowland, Poplar Avenue, also supported a crossing guard and a one stage crossing.
Samantha Shofar spoke in support of a crossing guard at Takoma Junction, with a one stage crossing. A two stage crossing would discourage people from crossing at the location.
Howard Kohn, Chair of the Takoma Junction Task Force, spoke in favor of crossing guards as a safety measure, but recommended that the crosswalk that used to exist between the City Lot and Grant Avenue be reinstated. He recommended a public discussion about options and possibilities at Takoma Junction, and a public discussion about the crossing issue with SHA.
Kathy Breckbill supported the City having control over crosswalks, signage, and sidewalks as part of the agreement with SHA.
Autumn Harrison, Aspen Avenue, supported a crossing guard at the intersection.
Lorig Charkoudian, Ethan Allen Avenue, spoke about the zoning text amendment that would allow for a commercial kitchen at the Takoma Park Presbyterian Church. She reminded the Council that the shared use community kitchen would be part of a sustainable local food system. She supported the staff’s suggestions to clarify that the text amendment would apply to shared use commercial kitchens and that the size be limited. However, she did not support the requirement of a special exception. The process is expensive and time consuming, which would create an undue burden on the churches.
Tebabu Assefa, Maple Avenue, spoke in support of the zoning text amendment. Allowing a community commercial kitchen at the church would help to create a living, dynamic economy and community.
Mary Forest, Elm Avenue, supported a crossing guard at Takoma Junction. The crossing guard would provide a level of comfort as well as another set of eyes for preventing crime.
Phil Lynch, Ward 2, commented on the length of time it takes to cross at Takoma Junction with the double crossing He timed it at four and one-half minutes to do the crossing. He supported one cross walk. He also spoke in support of adding a crossing guard.
Emily Schabacker, Woodland Avenue, spoke in favor of adding a crossing guard. She agreed that crossing in two stages will invite people to rush across in a single crossing.
Catherine Tunis, Larch Avenue, commented that a commercial kitchen would be a great asset to the community. She urged that neighbors have a say as to whether it should be approved.
Ms. Tunis also commented on the sidewalk process. She said that at several meetings in Ward 2, there was not support for the changes proposed to the process. The people most affected by a sidewalk should have the most say. She noted that there are many other solutions, such as crossing guards, raised intersections, and better pavement marking that would make it safer for pedestrians and drivers. She noted that there is support for sidewalks on some of the main streets.
Joan Clement, Elm Avenue, urged support for the zoning text amendment. She said that community commercial kitchens would help create a more decentralized food system, markets for local farmers and for local food.
Autumn Harrison supported having sidewalks in her neighborhood.
Mr. Seamens expressed appreciation for those who came out for the Martin Luther King celebration, and to the organizers of the event. He said the event included a good cross section of the community. It included both a potluck dinner and a day of service projects in the community.
Ms. Daniels-Cohen agreed with Mr. Seamens. She noted excerpts of the "I Have a Dream" speech read by 25 Piney Branch Elementary School students and singing of "We Shall Overcome."
Mr. Seamens noted that the event was supported by both community members and organizations. Washington Adventist University conducted a clothing and food collection for Adventist Community Services. There were visits to the nursing home and a group worked with the homeless in D.C.
Mr. Schultz thanked Public Works for installing three new sets of trash and recycling cans in Ward 6. He announced a January 26 meeting at Sligo Adventist School with Chief Ricucci and the Hyattsville 1st District Commander.
Ms. Matthews explained that Councilmembers Male and Daniels-Cohen had received a letter from residents requesting that a crossing guard be added at Takoma Junction. The annual cost would be approximately $11,500. It would take approximately 90 days to recruit a guard. If the Council chooses to add the guard, she would recommend that it be funded from the speed camera fund. After the guard is in place, the Police Department would take pedestrian counts to be submitted to the County Executive to see if it warrants funding from Montgomery County.
Chief Ricucci noted that the crossing guard would work with the light. It is not safe and against standard procedure to work against the light. If the Council wanted pedestrians to be able to cross against the light, two crossing guards would be needed. Once the guard is in place and more pedestrians use the crossing, he would be able to get good pedestrian counts.
The Council was supportive of adding a crossing guard.
In response to questions, Chief Ricucci said he could try to get the hiring completed in less than 90 days. He did not recommend moving a police officer to do the crossings in the meantime, since it would take an officer off the street.
Councilmembers suggested that the City Manager continue to explore having the light timing changed by SHA and explore adding an additional crosswalk at Grant Avenue.
Mr. Grimes said the idea for a zoning text amendment to allow a commercial kitchen in a church was brought to him by residents. He spoke with the church and a variety of neighbors, and went to County Councilmember George Leventhal about the issue. As proposed, the use would be by right and not by special exception.
Ms. Daines noted that the ZTA would allow a commercial kitchen in churches, certain types of residential facilities, and fire and rescue stations. It would not be permitted in home occupations, day care or foster care facilities, or any facilities whose use requires a special exception.
She recommended that commercial kitchen be further defined as a shared community use kitchen, that the size be limited, and that a special exception be required so that the community as a whole has input.
Vicki Warren, Elder at Takoma Park Presbyterian Church, commented on the proposal. She said the Church supported the clarification on the definition of community commercial kitchen and supported the size limitations. However, requiring a special exception would be burdensome on the Church. She said she heard a couple of concerns from neighbors and those concerns have been addressed.
Mr. Grimes noted that a commercial kitchen would be subject to licensure, regular and surprise inspections, and would have to be built to code and maintained.
Mr. Male supported the staff recommendation but said he would rather see the special exception off the table if that is what Mr. Grimes wants.
Mr. Grimes said he opposes changing to a special exception. He said that of the residents whose views he tallied, 26 people were supportive of the Church’s idea, three more supported it conditionally, and one neighbor to the Church was opposed due to parking issues.
Mr. Snipper supported the three staff recommendations. He said it is hard to see that Takoma Park neighbors would not want to weigh in on the use.
Mr. Seamens concurred with Mr. Male.
Ms. Daniels-Cohen agreed. She suggested letting the County resolve whether a special exception should be required.
Mr. Schultz said he supported the request of Takoma Park Presbyterian Church and the Crossroads Community Food Network for the zoning text amendment. He expressed concern that some churches would see adding a commercial kitchen as a money making opportunity. He supported the staff’s recommendations for changes to the ZTA. He said he would not support the proposal without the special exception requirement.
Mr. Williams said he was inclined to support the special exception requirement.
Jill Feasley, member of Takoma Park Presbyterian Church and Director of Meals on Wheels at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, noted that Zion does rent out its facility but not the commercial kitchen. She said she believed there are ways to address the issue without requiring a special exception.
Mr. Male said he would rather have the Council move forward with something helpful to the request of Takoma Park Presbyterian Church or not move anything at all.
Mr. Grimes said he will further discuss the issue with the County Council. The City Council could express unconditional support for the ZTA but suggest the changes proposed by City staff.
The Council agreed to take up a resolution on January 23.
Ms. Ludlow noted ideas the Council had mentioned to date:
• Protect and increase Highway User Revenue for municipalities
• Protect and increase Police Aid for municipalities
• Protect and increase other municipal revenue sources
• Remove the exemption of banks from payment of personal property taxes
• Pursue approval of the City’s bill to add off-sale privileges to the Class B On-Sale alcoholic beverage licenses available in Takoma Park
• Pursue an amendment to proposed bills regarding solicitation of money or donations from occupants of vehicles that protects Takoma Park’s authority to prohibit such solicitation
• Encourage establishment of community/food waste composting facilities
• Encourage the development of regulations related to stand-alone emergency room facilities
• Support Senator Raskin’s Joint Resolution for the Maryland General Assembly to call on Congress to pass a constitutional amendment reversing the Supreme Court’s decision proclaiming that private corporations have a First Amendment right to spend unlimited amounts of money from corporate treasuries in our campaigns and elections
• Support funding of bus rapid transit
• Support funding of bikeshare facilities
• Support funds to help New Hampshire Avenue redevelopment efforts
• Support the Purple Line
• Support permission of same sex marriage
• Improve reliability and responsibility of utility companies
• Permit smaller signs on State Highways in certain areas
Mr. Snipper said he supported all the items listed, particularly community food waste/composing facilities, the gas tax, purchase of street lights, and development of regulations related to stand alone emergency facilities.
Mr. Grimes supported community food waste/composting facilities. He suggested that the City begin work on getting an increase in the 17% cap on income taxes returned to municipalities. He supported a municipal share of excise and usage taxes. Mr. Grimes said that since WMATA is starved for funding, he supported doing better to support the existing transit agency rather than adding new things.
Mr. Male said his priorities include the street light bill and the bank tax exemption issue, along with regulations to support food waste composting facilities.
Mr. Williams suggested doing whatever is needed to support the items Council has not taken positions on, including the community food waste and campaign finance issues. He said he would like to see the Council support raising the gas tax to help bargain for other things.
Mr. Seamens said he would provide draft language for supporting Senator Raskin’s bill.
Mr. Schultz also supported Senator Raskin’s bill. He asked for an update on the City’s alcohol bill.
Ms. Ludlow said that the amended version of the bill anticipates the City working out an agreement with the Board of License Commissioners on review of applications, with a sunset provision.
Ms. Daniels-Cohen agreed with what other Councilmembers had said. She is supportive of the personal property tax exemption, Senator Raskin’s bill, community food waste facilities, and bike share facilities.
The Council discussed changes to the proposed sidewalk policy. The majority of Council agreed with changes to the draft as follows:
1. Either the City Council or the City Manager could identify the sidewalk as a priority or safety concern and initiate a planning process.
2b. The affected area includes both sides of the blocks where the run is proposed and one block in every direction along the run unless the Council identifies a different affected area.
All households would get a vote (resident households). To determine the percentage of yes votes, only those responding to the survey would be counted. This assumes that there are many opportunities for feedback and the City does a good job of outreach.
The Council agreed that Mr. Male's Jackson Avenue sidewalk process can proceed.
The Council adjourned for the evening at 11:05 p.m.