Category: Resources

Testimony to the DC Zoning Commission In Support of Portner Place on U Street NW

We applaud this innovative project led by the Portner Place Tenants Association as an outstanding contribution to the U Street neighborhood. Not only did the Portner Place Tenants manage to save their homes through a Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) action, they doubled the affordable housing opportunities with family-oriented units and amenities. This proposal also restores the pedestrian-scale fabric of the V Street and U Street blocks with buildings that relate to their streets, provide front-facing entrances, and offer ground floor retail on U Street.

Testimony Regarding The Prince George’s County General Plan

We want to express our overall support for this outstanding document. We commend the Planning staff and Planning Board for the deliberative process that has culminated in the Plan Prince George’s 2035. This plan offers the right framework – with a few exceptions – to guide the county’s growth and development to a successful future.
We applaud the many important policies and guidance the plan puts forth including: Focusing future growth around transit stations and revitalization areas inside the Beltway; Priority Investment Districts (PIDs) – we especially commend the staff and Board for the thoughtful process to create this targeted, strategic approach to using the County’s limited resources to the greatest benefit.

Letter to Muriel Bowser in Support of DCHA’s Affordable Housing Proposal

We support DCHA’s proposal for 1125 Spring Road to create 200 rental homes, 90% of which would be affordable. We support the proposed wide range of affordability, including deeply affordable units at 30% AMI that are so desperately needed as market pressure continues to eliminate more and more of the city’s most affordable stock. We also ask that some of the units be use for permanently supportive housing.

 

Testimony on Need to Set a Target for Reducing CO2 Emissions from Transportation

Recent reports show sea level rise will contribute to flooding of our Monumental Core. Reports on the impacts of climate change are increasingly dire. We are the nation’s capital, the capital of the most powerful nation the world has ever known, and this region is collectively wealthier than 99% of the rest of the world. If we don’t lead on this issue from this region, who will? What will it take to get the leadership we need?

 

 

Testimony Concerning the Transportation Gap to CEEPC and MWAQC Committees

The 2014 CLRP performance assessment makes clear that while COG’s regional climate goal is to reduce emissions 80% by 2050 below 2005 levels, that the list of regional transportation projects, if built, will cause emissions to rise rather than fall. We have on our hands a Transportation Emissions Gap – a major discrepancy between our goals, and our regional plans. Our question is, how can we work together to close that gap now? Because transportation decision take so long to implement, getting started now is critical to make the changes needed.

 

Joint Letter to Montgomery Co. Executive Ike Leggett Concerning White Flint Redevelopment

As property owners, residents, advocates and concerned citizens within the White Flint area and the rest of Montgomery County, we appreciate your steadfast support for our shared vision of the community’s redevelopment. That vision, as articulated in the White Flint Sector Plan, is for a vibrant, walkable, sustainable community, one that will provide economic growth in the county for decades to come. Now however,…

Testimony for the Bicycle and Motor Vehicle Collision Recovery Amendment Act of 2014

We are submitting comments in support of the Bicycle and Motor Vehicle Collision Recovery Amendment Act of 2014 and for Council member Grosso’s amendment to cover pedestrians in addition to cyclists with this bill. The District of Columbia’s continued use of contributory negligence presents major barriers for cyclists and pedestrians alike to recover damages in the event of a collision, and widespread misunderstanding and uneven enforcement of bicycle and pedestrian laws only compounds the problem.