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embryonic transit community needs for growth rather than thwarting the vision, and indeed the project itself, by their exclusion. I have read and concur with the letter written by Jason Niedle. I echo his list of conditions to improve the project and I would add the following requests: Narrow the roadway at Santiago by creating wider pedestrian sidewalks and curbside parking. This street is considered a secondary arterial and it handles quite a lot of commuter traffic, along with bus and heavy truck passage. Building four -story buildings on the east side of the street will create an echo canyon like the one on Santa Ana Blvd. where traffic sounds amplify and reverberate to the point where conversation is impossible. Narrowing the street and encouraging traffic to go north to the Penn /17}h freeway onramp will reduce traffic noise (and perhaps some of the built -in collision risk created by the off -set driveway locations of the two communities). It will also allow for bicycle paths and a wider sidewalk which creates a friendlier pedestrian street to serve the new shops and restaurants. Plant additional landscape In the parkway to mitigate sound reverberation. With a wider area devoted to sidewalks there is room to accommodate more landscape and trees of various heights to absorb some of the overpowering sound. Eliminate the locked gates Into the complex. Locked gates read like bars on windows. It suggests that there is something to fear in the neighborhood. Our community is wide open and ungated and we would like our neighbors to exhibit the some expression of safety. If there is a compelling reason why the gates cannot be eliminated completely, perhaps they can remain open until lOpm. And if the gates must exist, they should be beautiful. Perhaps a local metal artist could be commissioned to create something. Revisit the design of the elevations to restore a bolder, fresher Image. The original renderings for the project depicted a strong, clean, modern design. The latest revisions have devolved into a tired, Residence Inn aesthetic. This is not in keeping with the forward - looking, edgy attitude of the neighboring lofts. Provide subsidies to supplement and encourage retail and restaurant investment. As you intend to populate the development with income - restricted residents who do not offer retailers a reliable, viable customer base, I would suggest that some form of funding be afforded to attract businesses to these retail spaces and insure their viability for a period of time, until a broader, more lucrative audience can be brought to the area. To have station - adjacent businesses fail and remain closed in these locations would create a far worse situation than what we have now. Future investors would not see untapped potential but an untenable marketplace. Evaluate the safety and traffic impact of children crossing Santa Ana Blvd. It is possible that two to three hundred children will be crossing this seven -lane arterial roadway to get to school in the morning at about the some time hundreds of commuters are navigating this intersection. This is a dangerous situation and if there is a way to improve the safety conditions it must be done. Consider adding left - turn traffic signals at the Santa Ana /Santiago intersection and perhaps a raised median island until the light rail comes on line. In closing I'd like to thank you for hearing my concerns. As I have become more involved in this process and met with the City staff and officials, all of you who dedicate yourselves to improving our City and bettering our lives, I have a much deeper respect and appreciation for the effort it takes and the energy you give. Thank you for your understanding, your assistance and your welcoming, friendly attitude toward my participation throughout this process. Sincerely, Sherdlyn Arnold Santiago Street Lofts Resident c: 301.701.1184