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As rabbis living in and serving congregants in Prince George's County, we are writing you in response to the draft Takoma/Langley Park Sector Plan. In the Bible's book of Numbers (24:5), an outsider comes across the Israelites in the desert, and even with just a glance he is moved to proclaim: "How goodly are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling place, O Israel!" It is not just the structures that he praises, but the living spaces they provide. Even from afar, he is able to see the community has met the housing needs of all its residents. This is the standard we must hold ourselves to: How goodly are our dwelling places? How well are we meeting the needs of our community? We fear that without greater detail in the sector plan, we will fall short in Takoma/Langley Park.

We would like to offer our support for the Takoma/Langley Park Sector Plan in its vision to "achieve a transit-oriented and pedestrian-friendly community that celebrates and builds on cultural diversity of the existing and future residents … with a mix of old and new businesses." However, we also urge you to designate the preservation of existing affordable housing as a primary goal of the plan. New housing is indeed needed in this area, but if the current rental stock is not simultaneously preserved, thousands of current residents will be displaced. How will this area and its rich cultural diversity survive if the current community can no longer afford to live and shop there?

As currently formulated, the plan would displace thousands of current residents, many of whom are longstanding renters and business owners. Why not instead focus efforts to create new housing on strategically selected commercial lots with a mixed-use approach? This new construction should also be designed to reinforce a sense of place, foster pedestrian-oriented amenities near the transit stations, and anchor this international corridor as a local and regional destination.

We also enthusiastically support the commitment to small business preservation expressed in the draft plan. The small-scale retail center referred to as a "market house" in the draft is an excellent example of appropriate redevelopment. A "market house" would incubate small local businesses, anchor the international identity of the community in a prominent place and serve as a community gathering place that reflects the traditions of many immigrant communities. But we fear that this effort will fall flat without a specific plan to bring it forth.

The Jewish tradition tells us that our Torah — our scripture — exists entirely mipnei darchei shalom, entirely for the sake of peace. As religious leaders who serve in Prince George's County, we are thus obligated to pursue peace, security and prosperity for all those who live and work here. We therefore urge you to ensure that the Takoma/Langley Park Sector Plan improves the economic and social status of all its residents by preserving existing rental housing, supporting small businesses and maintaining the vibrant international character of the community.

Rabbi Robert J. Saks, University Park; Rabbi Doug Heifetz, Laurel; Rabbi Ari Israel, College Park and Rabbi Steve Weisman, Bowie