FEDERAL REALTY INVESTMENT TRUST
DEF 14A, 1997-03-28
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
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<PAGE>
                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
 
          PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES 
                    EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (Amendment No.   )
 
Filed by the Registrant [X]
 
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [_]
 
Check the appropriate box:
 
[_] Preliminary Proxy Statement             [_] CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE 
                                                COMMISSION ONLY (AS PERMITTED 
                                                BY RULE 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[X] Definitive Additional Materials
[_] Soliciting Material Pursuant to (S)240.14a-11(c) or (S)240.14a-12
 
                        FEDERAL REALTY INVESTMENT TRUST
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

                         
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
 
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
 
[X] No fee required.
[_] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
 
    (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
        
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    (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
        
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    (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
        pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the 
        filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): 
 
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[_] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
 
[_] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act 
    Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was 
    paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement 
    number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
 
    (1) Amount Previously Paid:
   
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Notes:

<PAGE>
 
              [FEDERAL REALTY INVESTMENT TRUST LOGO APPEARS HERE]
 
 
                                                                 March 31, 1997
 
Dear Shareholder:
 
  Please accept my personal invitation to attend our Annual Meeting of
Shareholders on Wednesday, May 7, 1997 at 10:00 a.m. This year's meeting will
be held at Woodmont Country Club, Rockville, Maryland.
 
  The business to be conducted at the meeting is set forth in the formal
notice that follows. In addition, Management will provide a review of 1996
operating results and discuss the outlook for the future. After the formal
presentation, the Trustees and Management will be available to answer any
questions that you may have.
 
  Your vote is important. I urge you to complete, sign and return the enclosed
proxy card.
 
  I look forward to seeing you on May 7.
 
                                          Sincerely,
 
                                          /s/ Steven J. Guttman
                                          Steven J. Guttman
                                          President and Chief Executive
                                          Officer
<PAGE>
 
                        FEDERAL REALTY INVESTMENT TRUST
 
                   NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
                            TO BE HELD MAY 7, 1997
 
To Our Shareholders:
 
  The 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Federal Realty Investment Trust
("Trust") will be held at Woodmont Country Club, 1201 Rockville Pike,
Rockville, Maryland, on Wednesday, May 7, 1997, at 10:00 a.m. for the purpose
of considering and acting upon the following:
 
  1. The election of three Trustees to serve for the ensuing three years.
 
  2. The approval of the Amended and Restated 1993 Long-Term Incentive Plan
     ("Amended Plan").
 
  3. The transaction of such other business as may properly come before the
     meeting or any adjournment.
 
  Shareholders of record at the close of business on March 27, 1997 are
entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting.
 
                                          For the Trustees:
 
                                          /s/ Catherine R. Mack
                                          Catherine R. Mack
                                          Vice President--General
                                          Counsel and Secretary
 
PLEASE FILL OUT, DATE AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED FORM OF PROXY AND RETURN IT IN THE
ACCOMPANYING POSTAGE PAID ENVELOPE, EVEN IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING.
YOU MAY REVOKE YOUR PROXY IN WRITING, OR AT THE ANNUAL MEETING IF YOU WISH TO
VOTE IN PERSON.
<PAGE>
 
                        FEDERAL REALTY INVESTMENT TRUST
             1626 EAST JEFFERSON STREET, ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20852
 
                                PROXY STATEMENT
                                MARCH 28, 1997
 
  Proxies in the form enclosed are solicited by the Board of Trustees of
Federal Realty Investment Trust for use at the 1997 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders ("Annual Meeting") to be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 7,
1997, at Woodmont Country Club, 1201 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland. The
close of business on March 27, 1997 has been fixed as the record date for
determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. On
that date, the Trust had 39,009,156 common shares of beneficial interest
("Shares") outstanding, each of which is entitled to one vote. If the proxy in
the enclosed form is signed and returned, it will be voted as specified in the
proxy; if no specific voting instructions are indicated, the proxy will be
voted in favor of the three Trustees nominated, to approve the Amended Plan
and in the named proxies' discretion as to other matters at the Annual
Meeting. Any proxy may be revoked by a shareholder at any time before it is
voted by written notice, or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in
person.
 
  The presence, in person or by proxy, of a majority of the outstanding Shares
entitled to vote constitutes a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Trustees are
elected by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Shares
entitled to vote that are present, in person or by proxy, at the Annual
Meeting. The affirmative vote of a majority of the Shares entitled to vote
that are present, in person or by proxy, at the Annual Meeting is required to
approve the Amended Plan.
 
  This Proxy Statement and an accompanying proxy are being mailed to
shareholders on or about March 31, 1997, together with the Trust's 1996 Annual
Report, which includes certified financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 1996. The Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1996 and
1995 and the Consolidated Statements of Operations, the Consolidated
Statements of Shareholders' Equity, the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows,
and the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (each of such Statements
being for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994), certified and
contained in the Trust's 1996 Annual Report, are incorporated herein by
reference to that Report.
 
               OWNERSHIP OF SHARES BY CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
 
  To the Trust's knowledge, based upon a Schedule 13G filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and other information available to
the Trust, beneficial owners of more than 5% of the Trust's Shares are as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       NAME AND ADDRESS                 AMOUNT AND NATURE                    PERCENT
     OF BENEFICIAL OWNER             OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP                 OF CLASS
     -------------------             -----------------------                 --------
   <S>                               <C>                                     <C>
   Cohen & Steers                           3,290,300(1)                       8.43%
   Capital Management, Inc.
   757 Third Avenue
   New York, NY 10017
   Merrill Lynch                            3,000,000                          7.69%
   Growth Fund(2)
   800 Scudders Mill Road
   Plainsboro, NJ 08536
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) as of January 29, 1997
(2) Merrill Lynch Growth Fund (the "Fund") is a registered investment company,
    the investment adviser of which is Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P.
    ("MLAM"). The general partner of MLAM is Princeton Services, Inc. ("PSI"),
    a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ("ML & Co."). As a
    result of MLAM's relationship with the Fund, each of MLAM, PSI and ML &
    Co. may also be deemed to beneficially own Shares owned by the Fund.
<PAGE>
 
                                  PROPOSAL 1
 
                             ELECTION OF TRUSTEES
 
  Pursuant to Section 2.2 of the Trust's Declaration of Trust, the Trustees
are divided into three classes serving three year terms. Three Trustees,
comprising one class of Trustees, are to be elected at the Annual Meeting.
Messrs. Kenneth D. Brody, A. Cornet de Ways Ruart and Mr. Walter F. Loeb have
been nominated for election as Trustees to hold office until the 2000 Annual
Meeting and until their successors have been elected and shall qualify.
Effective April 1, 1997, Mr. Brody will be appointed to fill the unexpired
term of the late Mr. Morton S. Lerner. Proxies may not be voted for more than
three Trustees.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS            TRUSTEE TERM TO
          NAME           AGE          AND OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS*            SINCE  EXPIRE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C> <C>                                         <C>     <C>
Kenneth D. Brody........  53 Founding Partner, Winslow Partners LLC, a    1997    2000
                             private equity investment firm; Former
                             President and Chairman, Export-Import Bank
                             of the United States; Former Partner,
                             Goldman, Sachs & Co.; Director, Alex.
                             Brown, Inc.; Director, Quest Diagnostics,
                             Inc.; Director, Yurie Systems, Inc.; Direc-
                             tor, American Red Cross; Director, St.
                             John's College.
A. Cornet de Ways       
 Ruart..................  63 Director of SIPEF S.A., an international     1983    2000
                             holding company principally of agricultural
                             interests; Director of Interbrew S.A., an
                             international brewery.
Walter F. Loeb..........  72 President, Loeb Associates Inc., a manage-   1991    2000
                             ment consulting firm. Publisher, Loeb Re-
                             tail Letter; Director, InterTAN Inc., an
                             international electronics retailer; Direc-
                             tor, The Gymboree Corp.; Director, Mothers
                             Work, Inc.; Director, Wet Seal, Inc., a
                             women's apparel retailer; Director, The
                             Warnaco Group, Inc.; Retired Principal and
                             Senior Retail Analyst, Morgan Stanley &
                             Co., Inc.
 
  Terms of office of the seven Trustees named below will continue until the
Annual Meeting in the years indicated.
 
<CAPTION>
                                        PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS            TRUSTEE TERM TO
          NAME           AGE          AND OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS*            SINCE  EXPIRE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C> <C>                                         <C>     <C>
Dennis L. Berman........  46 General Partner, Berman Enterprises,         1989    1998
                             Vingarden Associates, GDR Partnerships,
                             builders/developers; Director, Beco Manage-
                             ment, office building owners/managers.
Kristin Gamble..........  51 President, Flood, Gamble Associates, Inc.,   1995    1998
                             an investment counseling firm; Director,
                             Ethan Allen Interiors, Inc., a furniture
                             manufacturer and retailer.
Donald H. Misner........  62 Director of New Development of the Trust;    1978    1998
                             Past President, Misner Development; Co-
                             founder, Miami Project to Cure Paralysis;
                             Trustee, Riverside Military Academy.
Samuel J. Gorlitz.......  79 Founder of the Trust; President, Gorlitz     1975    1999
                             Associates, real estate developers.
Steven J. Guttman.......  50 President and Chief Executive Officer of     1979    1999
                             the Trust; Trustee, International Council
                             of Shopping Centers; Vice Chairman, Na-
                             tional Association of Real Estate Invest-
                             ment Trusts Board of Governors and Execu-
                             tive Committee.
Mark S. Ordan...........  37 Chief Executive Officer, Chartwell Health    1996    1999
                             Management Inc.; Former Chairman, President
                             and Chief Executive Officer, Fresh Fields
                             Markets, Inc., a healthy foods supermarket;
                             Director, Friedman Billings Ramsey Family
                             of Funds.
George L. Perry.........  63 Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution; Di-    1993    1999
                             rector, State Farm Life Insurance Company;
                             Director, State Farm Mutual Automobile Com-
                             pany and various mutual funds managed by
                             the Dreyfus Corporation.
</TABLE>
- --------
* The business histories set forth in these tables cover a five year period.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
  The Board of Trustees has an Audit Committee, comprised of Messrs. Berman,
Ordan and Perry, which independently reviews the Trust's financial statements
and coordinates its review with the Trust's independent public accountants.
The Audit Committee held four meetings in 1996. The Compensation Committee,
comprised of Mr. Cornet, Ms. Gamble and Mr. Perry, reviews and reports to the
Board on incentive plans and remuneration of officers. That committee held
three meetings in 1996. The Compensation Committee, administers the Trust's
1993 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "1993 Plan"). During 1996 the Board of
Trustees held seven meetings. The Board of Trustees has no standing nominating
committee.
 
  THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE THREE NOMINEES.
 
                 OWNERSHIP OF SHARES BY TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
 
  As of March 27, 1997, Trustees and executive officers as a group, and the
Trustees and named executive officers, individually, beneficially owned the
following Shares:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          PERCENTAGE OF
                                    NUMBER OF SHARES    OUTSTANDING SHARES
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER         BENEFICIALLY OWNED (1)    OF THE TRUST
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                              <C>                    <C>
Trustees and executive officers
as a group (15 individuals)            1,958,324                5.02%
Dennis L. Berman(2)                      461,653                1.18%
Kenneth D. Brody                           4,000             under 1%
A. Cornet de Ways Ruart(3)                29,731             under 1%
Kristin Gamble(4)                        108,717             under 1%
Steven J. Guttman(5)                     597,277                1.53%
Samuel J. Gorlitz(6)                     148,626             under 1%
Ron D. Kaplan(7)                          95,000             under 1%
Walter F. Loeb                            20,222             under 1%
Donald H. Misner(8)                       33,715             under 1%
Mary Jane Morrow(9)                      132,409             under 1%
Mark S. Ordan(10)                          4,000             under 1%
George L. Perry                           13,358             under 1%
Hal A. Vasvari                           148,070             under 1%
Robert S. Wennett                         95,000             under 1%
</TABLE>
- -------
  (1) The number and percentage of Shares shown in this table reflect
beneficial ownership, determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including Shares which are not owned but as
to which options are outstanding and may be exercised within 60 days. Except
as noted in the following footnotes, each Trustee and named executive officer
has sole voting and investment power as to all Shares listed. Fractions are
rounded to the nearest full Share.
  (2) Includes 434,875 Shares as to which Mr. Berman is Trustee under Voting
Trust Agreements for certain family members. Mr. Berman does not have
disposition rights with respect to these Shares. This number also includes
1,000 Shares owned by a partnership in which Mr. Berman is a general partner.
  (3) Does not include 700 Shares owned by a corporation of which Mr. Cornet's
wife is a controlling shareholder.
  (4) Includes 99,817 Shares as to which Ms. Gamble shares investment power
for clients. Includes 1,400 shares as to which Ms. Gamble is a Trustee of a
profit sharing plan, of which Ms. Gamble has a direct interest in 571 shares.
  (5) Includes 12,000 Shares in trust as to which Mr. Guttman shares voting
and investment power with two other trustees, 12,899 Shares owned jointly with
his wife and 37,022 Shares held as custodian for minor children.
  (6) Includes 22,100 Shares as to which Mr. Gorlitz shares voting and
investment power. Does not include 4,954 Shares as to which Mr. Gorlitz's wife
has sole voting and investment power.
  (7) Does not include 1,568 Shares as to which Mr. Kaplan's wife has sole
voting and investment power.
  (8) Includes 574 Shares owned jointly as to which voting and investment
power is shared with Mr. Misner's wife.
  (9) Includes 88 Shares held as custodian for minor children. Does not
include 159 shares as to which Ms. Morrow's mother has sole voting and
investment power.
  (10) Includes 1,500 Shares owned jointly as to which voting and investment
power is shared with Mr. Ordan's wife.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                REMUNERATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES
 
  The following table sets forth the summary compensation of the Chief
Executive Officer and the four other most highly paid executive officers
("executive officers" or "named officers").
 
                          SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  LONG TERM
                                                                 COMPENSATION
                                       ANNUAL COMPENSATION          AWARDS
                                  ------------------------------ ------------
            (A)              (B)    (C)      (D)        (E)          (G)          (I)
                                                       OTHER
                                                       ANNUAL                  ALL OTHER
                                   SALARY           COMPENSATION              COMPENSATION
                                    (A)     BONUS       (B)        OPTIONS        (D)
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION  YEAR   ($)      ($)        ($)        (#) (C)        ($)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                          <C>  <C>      <C>      <C>          <C>          <C>
Steven J. Guttman            1996 $529,000 $235,000                    --       $229,000(E)
President                    1995  500,000  235,000                 80,000       214,000(E)
 & Chief Executive Officer   1994  500,000  120,000                    --        207,000(E)
Ron D. Kaplan                1996  201,000  125,000                    --         70,000(F)
Senior Vice President,       1995  190,000   85,000                 45,000       130,000(F)
Capital Markets, Chief       1994  190,000   75,000                    --        130,000
Investment  Officer
Mary Jane Morrow             1996  211,000   90,000                    --         54,000(E)
Senior Vice President,       1995  200,000   75,000                 45,000        62,000(E)
 Finance & Treasurer,        1994  200,000   30,000                    --         67,000(E)
 Chief Financial Officer
Hal A. Vasvari               1996  345,000  150,000                    --         68,000(E)
Executive Vice President,    1995  225,000  150,000                 75,000        69,000(E)
Chief Operating Officer      1994  225,000   75,000                    --         74,000(E)
Robert S. Wennett            1996  208,000  125,000                    --         57,000(E)
Senior Vice President,       1995  203,000   90,000                 45,000        60,000(E)
 Acquisitions                1994  200,000   60,000                    --         62,000(E)
</TABLE>
- --------
(A) Amounts shown include amounts deferred at the election of the named
    officer pursuant to plans available to substantially all employees and
    pursuant to a nonqualified deferred compensation plan available to all
    officers.
(B) No named officer received perquisites or other personal benefits
    aggregating the lesser of 10% of annual salary and bonus or $50,000.
(C) Option exercise price is equal to the fair market value of the Shares on
    the date of grant.
(D) The amounts shown in this column for the last fiscal year include the
    following: (i) Mr. Guttman: $9,000--Trust paid group term life insurance;
    $5,000--Trust contribution to Section 401 (k) Plan and the deferred
    compensation plan; $4,000--Trust paid annuity contract premium; and
    $9,000--Trust paid long-term disability insurance premium; and $202,000--
    deferred compensation from forgiveness of loans as described below in (E);
    (ii) Mr. Kaplan: $500--Trust paid group term life insurance; $5,000--Trust
    contribution to Section 401 (k) Plan and the deferred compensation plan;
    $1,000--Trust paid long-term disability insurance premium; $63,000--
    deferred compensation from forgiveness of loans as described below in (F);
    (iii) Ms. Morrow: $1,000--group term life insurance premium; $5,000--Trust
    contribution to Section 401 (k) Plan and the deferred compensation plan;
    $1,000--Trust paid long-term disability insurance premium; and $47,000--
    deferred compensation from forgiveness of loans as described below in (E);
    (iv) Mr. Vasvari: $6,000--Trust paid group term life insurance; $5,000--
    Trust contribution to Section 401 (k) Plan and the deferred compensation
    plan; $10,000--Trust paid long-term disability insurance premium; and
    $47,000--deferred compensation from forgiveness of loans as described
    below in (E); (v) and Mr. Wennett: $1,000--Trust paid group term life
    insurance premium; $5,000--Trust contribution to Section 401 (k) Plan and
    the deferred compensation plan; and $51,000--deferred compensation from
    forgiveness of loans as described below in (E).
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
(E) In 1991, the named officers, except Mr. Kaplan, were awarded the
    opportunity to purchase Shares of the Trust and the Trust made available
    loans for 100% of the purchase price. One half of the loan was originally
    scheduled to be forgiven, by forgiving one-sixteenth each January 31, over
    an 8 year period so long as the officer was employed by the Trust. The
    Trust and the named officers, other than Mr. Wennett, have agreed to
    modify the terms of the loan so that beginning in 1995 and each year
    thereafter, there will be no forgiveness as of January 31 of each year if
    Funds from Operations ("FFO") per Share increases by less than 5% during
    the preceding fiscal year. If FFO per Share increases by 5% or more, one-
    sixteenth of the loan will be forgiven. Beginning in 1996 and thereafter,
    if FFO per Share increases by 10% or more and total return to shareholders
    is 10% or greater during the fiscal year, one-eighth of the loan will be
    forgiven on the following January 31. However, 25% of the original
    principal amount of each loan is not subject to forgiveness by the Trust.
    The loans, except Mr. Wennett's, were also modified during 1994 so that
    they are due on January 31, 2004.
(F) On December 17, 1993, the Trust awarded Mr. Kaplan the opportunity to
    purchase 40,000 Shares as of January 1, 1994 at the closing price on
    December 31, 1993 ($25 per share). The Trust loaned Mr. Kaplan 100% of the
    purchase price for a term of 12 years.  Forgiveness of Mr. Kaplan's loan
    is subject to the same performance measures described above in (E).
 
  Trustees' fees are paid to Trustees other than Mr. Guttman. In accordance
with the provisions of the 1993 Plan, Trustees' fees are payable in cash or
Shares or a combination of both, at the election of the Trustee; the Trust
issued Shares for 45% of the Trustees' fees paid in 1996. The annual Trustee
fee for 1996 was $25,000. Each Trustee was paid the fee based on the number of
months during the year he/she served as a Trustee. The annual fee in 1996 for
service on the Compensation Committee was $2,500 and $3,000 for service as its
Chairman. The annual fee in 1996 for service on the Audit Committee was $2,000
and $2,500 for service as its Chairman. Committee fees were also prorated
based on the number of months of service. In accordance with the 1993 Plan, as
of the date of the 1996 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, each nonemployee
Trustee received an option to purchase 2,500 Shares at an exercise price of
$21.63. Mr. Misner also received an option to purchase 2,500 shares at an
exercise price of $21.63. Pursuant to a consulting agreement, Mr. Gorlitz
provides consulting services to the Trust and is paid an annual consulting fee
of $120,000.
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS; CHANGE IN CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS
 
  The Trust has an employment agreement with Mr. Guttman which provides, among
other things, that (a) his salary may not be decreased below its then-current
level and is increased on January 1 of each year by 50% of any increase in the
Consumer Price Index ("CPI") for the prior year; and (b) his term of
employment is three years to be automatically renewed at the end of each month
for an additional three years unless either party notifies the other that it
elects not to extend the term. The Trustees may terminate the agreement if Mr.
Guttman is totally disabled for at least six consecutive months and a
severance payment is made to Mr. Guttman of compensation for the lesser period
of one year or the remaining term of the agreement, and also may terminate the
agreement for "just cause" without payment to Mr. Guttman. Mr. Guttman may
terminate his agreement if his duties or responsibilities are materially
modified without his consent, if the Trust moves the location of its principal
office outside the Washington, D.C. area, if the Trust is merged or
consolidated with another entity, if he is not reappointed as a member of the
Trust's Board of Trustees or if a Chairman of the Trust's Board of Trustees is
appointed other than Mr. Guttman. If Mr. Guttman so terminates his agreement,
he is entitled to full compensation for the remaining term of his agreement.
Mr. Guttman also may terminate his agreement upon at least six months notice
and in that case the Trust's obligation to pay compensation to him ceases on
the effective date of termination.
 
  The Trust has severance agreements with Mr. Kaplan, Ms. Morrow and Mr.
Vasvari which provide, among other things, that (a) if the employee is
terminated without cause, he or she will be entitled to receive salary
payments for up to 18 months, depending upon length of service and benefits
for 9 months; and (b) if the employee voluntarily resigns, the employee will
receive salary payments and benefits for up to 6 months,
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
depending upon length of service. The employee also will receive the benefits
payable upon a termination without cause if his or her duties are materially
modified without his or her consent, the Trust moves the location of its
principal office outside the Washington, D.C. area, the Trust is merged into
or consolidated with another entity, or the employee's base salary is
decreased by 25%.
 
  As of December 31, 1996, Mr. Wennett had an employment agreement similar to
Mr. Guttman's employment agreement but with a remaining term of 15 months. The
Trust has agreed with Mr. Wennett that if his employment with the Trust
terminates as of the end of the term of his employment agreement, the Trust
will make a severance payment of $355,000 and continue his health and welfare
benefits for one year. Effective January 1, 1997, Mr. Wennett is not an
executive officer of the Trust.
 
  The Trust has entered into agreements with Mr. Guttman, Ms. Morrow, Mr.
Vasvari and Mr. Wennett that provide that if any of these officers leaves the
employment of the Trust following a "change in control" (defined as control of
35% or more of outstanding Shares of the Trust), each officer will be entitled
to receive a lump sum cash payment, to have health and welfare benefits and
executive privileges continued for a period following such termination, to
have all restrictions on the exercise or receipt of any stock options or stock
grants lapse, and to have all Shares owned at termination to be redeemed at a
formula price. Mr. Guttman's cash payment would be equal to 299% of his
salary, including incentive compensation, and his benefits and privileges
would continue for three years. Each of the other named officers would receive
two times his or her salary including incentive compensation and his or her
benefits and privileges would continue for two years. These agreements also
provide that, if benefits paid pursuant to such agreements are determined to
be subject to an excise or similar tax, the Trust will provide these officers
with such additional compensation as is necessary to place them in the same
after-tax position as he or she would have been had such tax not been paid or
incurred. In addition, if any such officer terminates his or her employment
following a "change in control," an aggregate of three-fourths of the original
principal amount of each officer's Purchase Loans, made to such officers
pursuant to the Trust's 1991 Share Purchase Plan, is forgiven as of the date
of such termination of employment.
 
  The Trust made an Award under the 1993 Plan to Mr. Kaplan in December, 1993.
Under the terms of this Award, upon a "change in control" (defined as (i) the
acquisition by a person or group, without approval by the Trustees, of more
than 9.8% of the outstanding Shares of the Trust, (ii) any election of persons
to the Board that causes two-thirds of the Board to consist of persons other
than (x) the persons who were members of the Board on January 1, 1993 (the
"Incumbent Board"), or (y) persons nominated for election by the Incumbent
Board; (iii) the approval by the shareholders of the Trust of certain
reorganizations, mergers or consolidations, or (iv) the approval of the
shareholders of the Trust of a complete liquidation of the Trust or sale or
other disposition of all or substantially all the assets of the Trust), all
restrictions on exercise or receipt or transfer of any stock options or stock
grants lapse, all performance awards are deemed to have been fully earned and
payable, and an aggregate of three-fourths of the original principal amount of
his Purchase Loans is forgiven.
 
  The Trust intends to modify the definition of "change of control" in these
various agreements to parallel the definition of that term set forth in the
Amended Plan which is the subject of Proposal 2 being presented to the
shareholders for consideration and attached hereto as Exhibit A.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
    AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN 1996 AND DECEMBER 31, 1996 OPTION VALUES
 
  The following table provides information on option exercises in 1996 by the
named executive officers and the value of each such officer's unexercised
options at December 31, 1996.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          (A)                  (B)              (C)                   (D)                       (E)
                                                                   NUMBER OF
                                                                  SECURITIES                 VALUE OF
                                                                  UNDERLYING                UNEXERCISED
                                                                  UNEXERCISED              IN-THE-MONEY
                                                                  OPTIONS AT                OPTIONS AT
                                                              FISCAL YEAR-END (#)     FISCAL YEAR-END ($)(1)
                         SHARES ACQUIRED                   ------------------------- -------------------------
          NAME           ON EXERCISE (#) VALUE REALIZED($) EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>             <C>               <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>
Steven J. Guttman.......      7,500           $   938        116,667      53,333      $326,252     $339,998
Ron D. Kaplan...........         --                --         23,838      30,000       135,396      191,250
Mary Jane Morrow........      4,000               500         60,122      30,000       174,558      191,250
Hal A. Vasvari..........      8,000            13,000         70,122      50,000       238,308      318,750
Robert S. Wennett.......     15,000            77,000         40,000      30,000        45,000      191,250
</TABLE>
- --------
  (1) Based on $27.13 per Share closing price on the NYSE on December 31,
1996.
 
RETIREMENT AND DISABILITY PLANS
 
  The Trust has a retirement and disability plan for Mr. Guttman, effective
since 1978. The agreement implementing the plan provides generally for an
annual payment after retirement at or after age 62, or at any time on
suffering a total and permanent disability, of $40,000. A lump-sum death
benefit of $40,000 will be paid to Mr. Guttman's estate. Mr. Guttman's plan
requires funding, and a $200,000 annuity contract was purchased to assist the
Trust in meeting this obligation.
 
  The Trust has a retirement and consulting plan for Mr. Gorlitz, effective
since 1978, and amended in 1988 and 1992 to revise the annual payment. The
plan provides for an annual consultation fee payment of $120,000, until notice
of retirement is given by either Mr. Gorlitz or the Trust, at which time Mr.
Gorlitz will receive an annual retirement payment of $75,000 plus adjustments
for changes in the Consumer Price Index that occur between June 1, 1988 and
the date of Mr. Gorlitz's retirement. Thereafter retirement payments are
adjusted annually for changes in the Consumer Price Index, except that no
annual adjustment may exceed 10%.
 
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
  In 1996, as in prior years, the Compensation Committee was responsible for
determining the level of compensation paid to the Trust's executive officers
(the "Executives"), subject to review and approval of the entire Board of
Trustees. The Compensation Committee is comprised entirely of Non-Employee
Trustees.
 
  Philosophy. The members of the Compensation Committee believe that the
Trust's success is largely due to the efforts of its employees and, in
particular, the leadership exercised by its Executives. Therefore, the
Compensation Committee believes that it is important to:
 
  . Adopt compensation programs that enhance the Trust's ability to attract
    and retain qualified executive officers while providing the financial
    motivation necessary to achieve continued high levels of Trust
    performance.
 
  . Adopt programs that stress stock ownership and, thereby, tie long-term
    compensation to increases in shareholder value.
 
  . Provide a mix of cash and stock-based compensation programs that are
    competitive with a select group of successful real estate investment
    trusts and other successful national and regional firms that the members
    of the Compensation Committee believe are comparable to the Trust.
 
  . Adjust salary, bonuses and other compensation awards commensurate with
    overall corporate results.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
  . Select compensation programs that emphasize teamwork, pay-for-performance
    and overall corporate results.
 
  The members of the Compensation Committee believe, however, that fixed
compensation formulas may not adequately reflect all aspects of the Trust's
and an individual Executive's performance. Therefore, the Compensation
Committee has retained a high degree of flexibility in structuring the Trust's
compensation programs. This approach allows the Compensation Committee
annually to evaluate subjectively and reward each Executive's individual
performance and contribution to the Trust's overall financial and operational
success.
 
  The Compensation Committee has from time to time retained compensation
consultants to assist it in structuring the Trust's various compensatory
programs and determining the level of salary, bonus and other awards paid to
the Trust's Executives. As the Compensation Committee reported last year, it
utilized Compensation Resources, Inc. ("CRI") to assist in setting 1996 salary
levels and 1995 bonus awards. In 1997, the Compensation Committee retained SCA
Consulting ("SCA") to assist the Compensation Committee in evaluating the
Trust's compensation and incentive approaches with respect to the Chief
Executive Officer, Mr. Guttman, to assist the Compensation Committee and the
Trust in formulating certain limits set forth in the Amended Plan discussed in
Proposal 2, and to assist the Compensation Committee in other compensation
matters.
 
  Named Executive Officers (other than the Chief Executive Officer). Near the
end of each year, the Compensation Committee determines the salary to be paid
to each executive officer during the subsequent year and the bonus to be paid
for the current year. As the Compensation Committee last reported, Mr. Guttman
recommended that Mr. Kaplan and Ms. Morrow receive a salary increase in 1996
equal to 5.8% of their 1995 salary levels, representing an increase in salary
approximating 2 years of the Consumer Price Index ("CPI"). A higher 1996
salary for Mr. Vasvari was approved in light of his new role as the Chief
Operating Officer of the Trust. Since Mr. Wennett, unlike the other executive
officers, received a 50% CPI increase in salary in 1995 (in accordance with
his employment agreement), Mr. Guttman recommended that he receive a CPI
increase in 1996. In making these recommendations, the Compensation Committee
and Mr. Guttman subjectively weighed the Performance Factors discussed below
and other factors, based upon the individual executive's responsibilities and
performance. The Compensation Committee and Mr. Guttman also considered the
fact that the 1995 salaries had been held to the 1994 level. In light of these
and other relevant considerations reported last year, the Compensation
Committee set the 1996 salaries as reflected in the above Summary Compensation
Table.
 
  The Compensation Committee took particular note of certain factors in
setting the 1996 bonuses of the Trust's executive officers. Among other
things, the Trust enjoyed an excellent year in 1996 achieving a FFO per share
growth of 8.4%. This achievement followed a successful year in 1995, in which
FFO per share growth reached 9.1%. The Compensation Committee also took into
account the recommendations of the Trust's Chief Executive Officer, Mr.
Guttman. Generally, Mr. Guttman's recommendations (and the Compensation
Committee's bonus decisions) considered the productivity of the Trust's
leasing effort, the number and quality of properties acquired, the increase in
funds from operations, the financing transactions completed, and the
redevelopment and operation of Trust properties (the "Performance Factors"),
as well as the attainment of the Trust's internal performance goals. With
these factors in mind, the Compensation Committee approved the 1996 bonuses
set forth in the above Summary Compensation Table. The amount of bonuses
equaled or exceeded the 1995 bonuses in light of the two years of particularly
successful and sustained results.
 
  In setting salaries and bonuses, the Compensation Committee takes into
account the total cash compensation paid to executive officers holding similar
positions in select successful real estate investment trusts and other
national and regional companies that it determined to possess comparable
revenues, profitability and growth (the "Survey Group"). CRI had assisted in
this task in 1996 for 1996 salary and 1995 bonus purposes. In 1997, SCA
identified a number of relevant companies, as did the Compensation Committee
with respect to other companies for purposes of 1997 salaries and 1996
bonuses. Some of the companies in the Survey Group are included in the
National Association of Real Estate Investment Trust equity index. In
addition, the Compensation Committee
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
strives to maintain the total compensation package for Executives at or near
the 70th to 75th percentiles of the compensation paid to executive officers of
the Survey Group. The 1996 total compensation amounts for the Executives
(other than the Chief Executive Officer), according to data furnished by SCA,
placed such Executives in the 75th percentile of the Survey Group's comparable
executive officers.
 
  Chief Executive Officer. As Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Guttman is
compensated pursuant to his employment agreement as discussed above and in
accordance with the factors discussed earlier for purposes of setting his 1996
salary and determining his 1996 bonus. For the reasons earlier discussed with
respect to the other Executives, the Compensation Committee increased Mr.
Guttman's 1996 salary by 5.8% and determined to grant Mr. Guttman for 1996 the
same size bonus as he received in 1995 given two quite successful years of FFO
growth in 1995 and 1996. No stock awards were made to Mr. Guttman or any other
executive officer in 1996.
 
  At the request of the Compensation Committee, SCA evaluated three principal
elements of Mr. Guttman's compensation and incentive arrangements in light of
the Compensation Committee's philosophy (as described earlier). SCA reviewed
comparable companies within the Survey Group (some of which are included in
the above referenced index) with respect to salary and total compensation,
long term incentives, and stock ownership by other chief executive officers.
While SCA reported that the Trust's salary arrangement with the Chief
Executive Officer is competitive, long term incentives are less than
satisfactory and stock ownership is considerably below the median for
nonfounder chief executive officers. The median level of stock ownership
reported to the Compensation Committee was 4.5% of the outstanding voting
securities (including outstanding shares of voting securities and options
exercisable within 60 days). The Committee concluded that Mr. Guttman's equity
ownership fell short of the Committee's objective to link Mr. Guttman's long
term compensation to increases in shareholder value as evidenced by Trust
share price appreciation. In contrast to the 4.5% median (which is a level
significantly below the high end of the study group of companies with
nonfounder chief executive officers), Mr. Guttman's beneficial ownership in
Trust Shares amounted to 1.5% (including outstanding shares of voting
securities and options exercisable within 60 days) at March 21, 1997.
 
  In the course of its evaluation process, the Compensation Committee
recognized, and SCA concurred, that executive compensation practices,
particularly in the Trust's industry and particularly in the use of stock-
based awards, are evolving and that further study and action may be warranted.
Taking into account the above evaluation and the Compensation Committee's view
to re-examine the Chief Executive Officer's incentive arrangements in the
future, the Compensation Committee concluded that action at this time was
necessary and appropriate and it granted a stock option in the amount of
400,000 Shares to Mr. Guttman pursuant to the 1993 Plan. In granting this
option, the Compensation Committee devoted considerable time in the selection
of the type of award and the relationship of the award to the objective of
linking Mr. Guttman's personal success directly and closely to the future
fortunes of the Trust's shareholders. The Compensation Committee took into
account Mr. Guttman's established track record during his tenure since 1980 as
the Chief Executive Officer of building the Trust's real estate assets from
$65 million to approximately $1.1 billion and its FFO per share from $.64 to
$1.94 and his leadership roles in the real estate investment trust and
shopping center industries. It believes that increased levels of equity
ownership will better provide the Chief Executive Officer the overall
incentive to maximize shareholder value.
 
  Amended and Restated 1993 Long-Term Incentive Plan. As an important step in
maintaining its executive compensation philosophy, the Compensation Committee
reviewed and approved the Amended Plan subject to Board of Trustees' and
shareholders' approval. The Board of Trustees approved the Amended Plan and,
as set forth in Proposal 2 below, has recommended that the shareholders vote
FOR the adoption of such Proposal.
 
  The Compensation Committee modified the 1993 Plan in light of its experience
with its terms, incorporated a number of improvements, and tailored the
Amended Plan to qualify under the performance-based compensation exception to
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code" or
the "Internal Revenue Code"). Section 162(m) generally limits the Trust,
absent an exception, to $1,000,000 of tax deductions
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
per annum for compensation paid to an executive officer named in the above
Summary Compensation Table. Awards under the 1993 Plan had been excepted from
the application of Section 162(m) of the Code for a three-year transition
period ending with the Annual Meeting.
 
  Deductibility of Executive Compensation in Excess of $1.0 million. As
discussed above, the Committee and the Board of Trustees have recommended that
the shareholders take action to adopt the Amended Plan as the means to qualify
performance-based compensation to the above referenced executives under the
exception to Section 162(m). The Compensation Committee intends to structure
its executive awards under the Amended Plan, if adopted, to take advantage of
this Section 162(m) exception. Prior awards under the 1993 Plan are not
expected to be subject to the Section 162(m) limits. In addition, it is
possible, but not intended at this date, that the Compensation Committee may
wish to award non-deductible compensation in other circumstances as they deem
appropriate. Moreover, in light of the ambiguities and uncertainties under
Section 162(m), no assurance can be given that compensation intended by the
Company to satisfy the requirements for deductibility under Section 162(m)
does in fact do so.
 
                                          A. Cornet de Ways Ruart
                                          Kristin Gamble
                                          George L. Perry
 
                                      10
<PAGE>
 
          COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
  Donald H. Misner is a full time employee of the Trust at an annual salary of
$120,000. Mr. Misner was paid a bonus of $22,000 for 1996. On the date of the
Annual Meeting, Mr. Misner will also be granted an option to purchase 2,500
Shares, the per Share exercise price of which will be the fair market value of
a Trust Share on the date of grant. This option is in lieu of the option he is
no longer eligible to receive as he is no longer a Non-Employee Trustee.
 
                            STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE
 
  The following stock price performance chart compares the Trust's performance
to the S&P 500 and the index of equity real estate investment trusts prepared
by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts ("NAREIT").
Equity real estate investment trusts are defined as those which derive more
than 75% of their income from equity investments in real estate assets. The
NAREIT equity index includes all tax qualified real estate investment trusts
listed on the NYSE, American Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ National Market.
Stock price performance for the past five years is not necessarily indicative
of future results. All stock price performance includes the reinvestment of
dividends.
 
                          [LINE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

        FRT          NAREIT         S&P
- ----------------------------------------------
<S>         <C>             <C>            <C> 
1991        100             100            100
1992
1992
1992
1992
1992
1992
1992
1992
1992 
1992                                      
1992
1992   141.8076        114.5896       107.6702
1993
1993
1993
1993
1993
1993
1993
1993
1993
1993
1993
1993   150.2527        137.1117       118.4262
1994
1994
1994
1994
1994
1994
1994
1994
1994
1994
1994
1994   132.3652        141.4591       119.9744
1995
1995
1995
1995
1995
1995
1995
1995
1995
1995
1995
1995   157.5483        163.0555       164.8803
1996
1996
1996
1996
1996
1996
1996
1996
1996
1996
1996
1996   202.1636        220.5597       202.7877

</TABLE> 

11
<PAGE>
 
                             CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
 
  Pursuant to the terms of stock option plans, from 1984 through 1996 officers
and key employees have exercised options and paid for some of the Shares by
issuance of notes to the Trust. Notes accepted pursuant to the 1983 or 1985
stock option plans are for a term extending to the employee's or officer's
retirement date with interest payable quarterly at the per annum rate that is
either the lesser of (i) the Trust's current borrowing rate or (ii) the
current indicated annual dividend rate on the Shares acquired pursuant to the
option divided by the purchase price of such Shares. Notes accepted pursuant
to the 1993 Plan are for a period extending to the employee's or officer's
retirement date with interest payable quarterly at the per annum rate that is
the lesser of (i) the Trust's borrowing rate on the date of exercise or (ii)
the indicated annual dividend rate on the date of exercise of the option
divided by the option price of such Shares. The stock option notes are secured
by the Shares, which will not be released until the notes are paid in full.
Pursuant to the terms of a restrictive stock agreement, Mr. Guttman borrowed
$210,000, $105,000 of which was repaid in 1992. The remaining balance of
$105,000 is payable on April 15, 2001, with no interest. The note is secured
by 18,975 Shares.
 
  In 1991, the Trust accepted notes from Trust officers in connection with the
1991 Share Purchase Plan for $5,359,922. The current balance of the notes is
$3,123,000. Up to 75% of the original principal balance of these loans may be
forgiven by the Trust if certain conditions are met. In connection with the
1991 Share Purchase Plan, the Trust has loaned officers $861,000 with which to
pay income taxes associated with the forgiveness. The interest rate on the
Share purchase loans and related tax loans is 9.39%. On January 1, 1994, the
Trust lent Mr. Kaplan $1,000,000 to purchase 40,000 Trust Shares. The current
balance is $750,000 and he has been loaned $100,000 with which to pay income
taxes associated with the forgiveness. Up to 75% of the original principal
balance of this loan may be forgiven by the Trust if certain conditions are
met. The interest rate on his share purchase loans and related tax loans is
6.24%.
 
  The following table sets forth the indebtedness to the Trust of the officers
as of March 27, 1997:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            MAXIMUM
                                                          OUTSTANDING  CURRENT
                                                            DURING     BALANCE
     NAME                               TITLE                1996      OF NOTES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                          <C>                          <C>         <C>
  Steven J. Guttman......... President and Chief          $2,830,000  $2,717,000
                              Executive Officer
  Ron D. Kaplan............. Senior Vice President--       1,630,000   1,555,000
                              Capital Markets, Chief
                              Investment Officer
  Catherine R. Mack......... Vice President--General         345,000     315,000
                              Counsel and Secretary
  Mary Jane Morrow.......... Senior Vice President--         783,000     754,000
                              Chief Financial Officer
                              and Treasurer
  Hal A. Vasvari............ Executive Vice President--      955,000     926,000
                              Chief Operating Officer
  Cecily A. Ward............ Vice President--Controller       98,000      89,000
  Robert S. Wennett......... Senior Vice President--         930,000     233,000
                              Acquisitions
</TABLE>
 
  A retail women's clothing store owned by Mr. Guttman and his wife, which is
operated by Mr. Guttman's wife, leases space at one of the Trust's properties.
Terms of the lease were negotiated at arms length and reflected prevailing
market conditions. Total payments in 1996 for rent, operating expenses and
real estate taxes were $82,000. In connection with acquisitions, brokerage
commissions of $172,000 were paid in 1996 to a company that is owned by the
brother of the Trust's president. These commissions were paid pursuant to a
brokerage contract on terms comparable to terms contained in contracts which
the Trust has with brokers providing similar services in other geographic
areas. A grocery store chain for which Mr. Ordan served as Chairman, President
 
                                      12
<PAGE>
 
and Chief Executive Officer until August 31, 1996, leases space at four of the
Trust's properties. Terms of these leases were negotiated at arms length and
reflected prevailing market conditions. Total payments for the period January
1 to August 31, 1996, for rent, operating expenses and real estate taxes were
$1,206,000. From time to time the Trustees may actively engage on their own
behalf and as agents for and advisors to others in real estate transactions,
including development and financing. The Trustees have agreed that they will
not acquire an interest in any property which meets the investment criteria of
the Trust without first offering the property to the Trust.
 
            SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
 
  The Trustees and executive officers of the Trust are required to file
reports of initial ownership and changes of ownership of the Trust's Shares
with the Securities and Exchange Commission and with the New York Stock
Exchange. To the Trust's best knowledge, based solely on review of copies of
such reports furnished to the Trust and written representations that no other
reports were required, the required filings of all such Trustees and executive
officers were filed timely.
 
                                  PROPOSAL 2
 
                         AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF
                         1993 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
 
  The 1993 Plan originally was adopted by the Board of Trustees on February
15, 1993, and approved by the shareholders at the 1993 Annual Meeting. The
1993 Plan provides for granting of options, stock appreciation rights,
restricted shares, performance awards, stock purchase awards, or other stock-
based awards ("Awards") to eligible employees of the Trust. Under the 1993
Plan, automatic stock option awards are made to Non-Employee Trustees and Non-
Employee Trustees may receive their Trustees' fees in Shares.
 
  The Trust's Board of Trustees and Compensation Committee have approved
amendments to the 1993 Plan. The proposed Amended Plan is attached as Exhibit
A for your consideration. The proposed amendments are principally designed to
(i) satisfy the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code
(as discussed in the above "Report of the Compensation Committee On Executive
Compensation"), (ii) provide the Committee greater flexibility in structuring
Awards and (iii) revise the 1993 Plan in light of the Trust's experience with
its terms.
 
  The following is a summary of the principal provisions of the Amended Plan.
Capitalized terms used in this summary which are not defined herein have the
meanings ascribed to them in the Amended Plan.
 
OPERATION OF AMENDED PLAN
 
  Purpose. The Amended Plan is intended to assist the Trust in attracting and
retaining highly competent officers, other employees and consultants. The
Amended Plan will act as an incentive in motivating selected officers and key
employees to achieve long-term business objectives of the Trust which will
inure to the benefit of all shareholders of the Trust. The Amended Plan gives
the Trust added flexibility to tailor individual awards to meet changing
business and tax strategies.
 
  Duration of the Amended Plan. The Amended Plan retains the original term of
the 1993 Plan. Its term ends on May 13, 2003.
 
  Amended Plan Administration. The Amended Plan will be administered by the
Compensation Committee (the "Committee") whose members are appointed by the
Board of Trustees and are Non-Employee Trustees intended to qualify as
"outside directors" as that term is used in Section 162(m) of the Internal
Revenue Code. The Committee members are not eligible to participate in the
Amended Plan except with respect to certain automatic, non-discretionary stock
option awards and the right to receive Trustees' fees in Shares as described
 
                                      13
<PAGE>
 
below. The Committee will select the officers, other employees, and
consultants of the Trust and its Subsidiaries who will be eligible for and
granted Awards, determine the amount and type of Awards, establish the rules
and guidelines relating to the Amended Plan, establish, modify and terminate
terms and conditions of Awards and take such other actions as may be necessary
for proper administration of the Amended Plan.
 
  Shares Available for Issuance. The 1993 Plan authorizes the issuance of
6,542,006 Shares and, of such authorized amount, Awards for 2,196,181 Shares
have been granted. The maximum number of Shares that may be issued, delivered
or made subject to Awards granted under the Amended Plan will be 4,000,000
Shares inclusive of such outstanding Awards. The Amended Plan eliminates
Shares available for issuance in respect of premium options under the 1993
Plan (3,000,000 Shares) and reallocates a portion of such Shares
(approximately 500,000 Shares) to make them available for issuance in the
future in respect of other Awards under the Amended Plan. The net effect is a
decrease in the total number of Shares available for issuance under the 1993
Plan of approximately 2,500,000.
 
  In order to comply with Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, the
Amended Plan imposes limits on the incentive compensation payable to any
Participant in any calendar year. The Amended Plan provides that, during the
term of the Amended Plan, (i) the Chief Executive Officer may not be granted
Awards (other than Performance Units denominated in dollars and Dividend
Equivalent Rights) aggregating more than 500,000 Shares per calendar year,
(ii) any other Participant may not be granted Awards (other than Performance
Units denominated in dollars and Dividend Equivalent Rights) aggregating more
than 100,000 Shares per calendar year, (iii) the Chief Executive Officer may
not be granted Dividend Equivalent Rights with respect to more than 500,000
Shares per calendar year, and (iv) any other Participant may not be granted
Dividend Equivalent Rights with respect to more than 100,000 Shares per
calendar year. With respect to Performance Units denominated in dollars, the
Amended Plan provides that the maximum dollar amount that the Chief Executive
Officer may be awarded in any calendar year is $3 million; the maximum dollar
amount that any other Participant may be awarded in calendar year is $1
million.
 
  Upon granting an Award, the Amended Plan provides that its maximum number of
Shares available to be issued, delivered or made subject to Awards will be
reduced by the number of Shares in respect of which the Award is granted, or,
in the case of Performance Units denominated in dollars, by the number of
Shares such dollar amount could purchase at the Fair Market Value of the Share
on the date the Performance Unit was granted. Shares covered by any
unexercised portions of terminated Options, Shares forfeited by Participants
and Shares subject to any Award that otherwise are surrendered by a
Participant without receiving any payment or other benefit with respect
thereto may again be subject to new Awards. Shares subject to Options, or
portions thereof, that have been surrendered in connection with the exercise
of Stock Appreciation Rights and any Shares used to measure the amount payable
to a Participant in respect to an earned Performance Unit are not again
available for the grant of Awards under the Amended Plan. Shares issued in
payment of a Performance Units that are denominated in cash amounts are not
again available for the grant of Awards under the Amended Plan.
 
  Amended Plan Participants. Any officer, other employee, or consultant of the
Trust and its Subsidiaries may be selected by the Committee to receive an
Award under the Amended Plan. Approximately 97 officers and other employees
are eligible to participate in the Amended Plan. Non-Employee Trustees are
only eligible to receive automatic, non-discretionary, non-employee stock
option awards and payment of their Trustees' fees in Shares. Following the
Annual Meeting, eight Non-Employee Trustees will be eligible to participate in
the Amended Plan.
 
AWARDS AVAILABLE UNDER THE AMENDED PLAN
 
  As the 1993 Plan provides, Awards to Participants under the Amended Plan may
take the form of options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares,
performance units (referred to as performance awards under the 1993 Plan), and
stock purchase awards. The Amended Plan also authorizes the award of
performance shares and dividend equivalent rights. It will not, in contrast
with the 1993 Plan, authorize "reload" options, "premium" options or other
unspecified stock-based Awards. Awards under the Amended Plan may be granted
alone or in
 
                                      14
<PAGE>
 
combination with other awards. Non-Employee Trustees may receive under the
Amended Plan only automatic, non-discretionary stock options and payment of
their Trustee's fees in Shares.
 
  Stock Options. Stock options meeting the requirements of Section 422 of the
Code ("Incentive Stock Options"), and stock options that do not meet such
requirements ("Non-Qualified Options") are both available for grant under the
Amended Plan. Consistent with the 1993 Plan, the term of each Option will be
determined by the Committee at the time of grant, but no Option will be
exercisable prior to six months from the date of grant or more than ten years
after the date of grant. Options will also be subject to such restrictions on
exercise, such as vesting requirements, as determined by the Committee. In
addition, as the 1993 Plan today provides, the Committee reserves the
authority to accelerate the exercisability of any Option.
 
  The exercise price for Options must be at least equal to 100% of the Fair
Market Value of the Shares on the date of the grant of such Option. In the
sole discretion of the Committee, the exercise price is payable in cash or in
Shares owned by the Participant or, in the case of Non-Qualified Options, in
Restricted Shares, granted to a Participant or by the reduction of the number
of Shares issuable upon exercise of the Option or the cashless exercise with a
Participant's broker, as determined by the Committee. (These provisions are
taken in substance from the 1993 Plan.)
 
  The Amended Plan revises the 1993 Plan to provide that if the Fair Market
Value of Shares exceed the exercise price of an Option on the date of
exercise, an Optionee may request that the Committee authorize payment to the
Optionee of the difference between the Fair Market Value and the exercise
price of the Option for all or part of the Shares subject to the Option. The
Committee, in its sole discretion, may grant or deny such a request. To the
extent granted, the Committee will direct the Trust to make the payment to the
Optionee in cash, Shares or in any combination thereof. An Option will be
deemed to be exercised and canceled to the extent that the Committee grants
the request.
 
  The Amended Plan, in contrast with the 1993 Plan, no longer would authorize
the Committee to grant "Reload Options" (as defined below) in connection with
any future Award under the Amended Plan. Reload Options in connection with
Awards previously made pursuant to the 1993 Plan will be unaffected. A Reload
Option is an Non-Qualified Option granted when a Participant surrenders Shares
(other than Restricted Shares) in full or partial payment of an Option.
 
  Stock Appreciation Rights. The Amended Plan permits the granting of a Stock
Appreciation Right ("SAR") in connection with the grant of an Option or, in
contrast with the 1993 Plan, as a freestanding right. As the 1993 Plan today
provides for SARs granted in connection with an Option, an SAR permits a
Participant to receive upon exercise of the SAR, cash and/or Shares, at the
sole discretion of the Committee, in an amount equal to the value of the
excess, if any, of the then per Share Fair Market Value over the per Share
Fair Market Value on the date the SAR was granted (or Option exercise price in
the case of an SAR granted in connection with an Option). In the case of an
SAR granted in connection with an Option, the Option shall be cancelled to the
extent of the number of Shares as to which the SAR is exercised. When an SAR
is granted, the Committee may establish a limit on the maximum amount a
Participant receives on exercise. At the time the SAR is granted, the
Committee will decide the date or dates at which it will become vested and
exercisable.
 
  Dividend Equivalent Rights. Dividend Equivalent Rights ("DERs") may be
granted in tandem with any Award under the Amended Plan and may be payable
currently or deferred until the lapsing of the restrictions on the DERs or
until the vesting, exercise, payment, settlement or other lapse of
restrictions on the related Award. A DER is the right to receive all or some
portion of the cash dividends that are or would be payable with respect to
Shares. The Committee may condition the payment of DERs on the attainment of
specified Performance Targets. DER's may be settled in cash or Shares or a
combination thereof, in a single payment or multiple installments. With
respects to DERs granted in tandem with an Option, the Committee may provide
that a Participant may elect to have amounts payable in respect of such DERs
be applied against the exercise price of the Option. The 1993 Plan did not
contemplate DERs.
 
                                      15
<PAGE>
 
  Restricted Shares. The Committee may award Restricted Shares to a
Participant. Such grant gives the Participant the right to receive Shares
subject to risk of forfeiture based upon certain conditions. As the 1993 Plan
today provides, the forfeiture restrictions on the Shares may be based upon
performance standards, length of service or such other criteria as the
Committee may determine. Consistent with the 1993 Plan, until all restrictions
are satisfied, lapsed or waived, the Trust will maintain control over the
Restricted Shares but the Participant will be able to vote the Shares as
provided by the Committee. In addition, the Amended Plan revises the 1993 Plan
to provide that, at the time of grant, the Committee may decide (i) whether
any deferred dividends will be held for the account of the Participant or
deferred until the restrictions thereon lapse, (ii) whether any deferred
dividends will be reinvested in additional Restricted Shares or held in cash,
(iii) whether interest will be accrued on any dividends not reinvested in
additional Restricted Shares and (iv) whether any dividends paid will be
subject to the restrictions applicable to the Restricted Shares.
 
  Performance Units and Performance Shares. Under the Amended Plan, the
Committee may award Performance Units (which may be payable in cash or Shares)
and Performance Shares. The Amended Plan revises the 1993 Plan to provide that
the vesting of Performance Units and Performance Shares will be based on the
Trust's attainment within an established period of time of specified
Performance Targets to be determined by the Committee. The Performance Targets
may be expressed in terms of earnings per Share, Share price, funds from
operations, pre-tax profits, net earnings, return on equity or assets, gross
revenues, EBITDA, dividends, market share or market penetration, or any
combination of the foregoing. Performance Units may be denominated in dollars
or in Shares. Payments in respect of Performance Units will be made in cash,
Shares, Restricted Shares or any combination of the foregoing, as determined
by the Committee.
 
  Stock Purchase Awards. Under the Amended Plan, the Committee may grant Stock
Purchase Awards to Participants which consist of a right to purchase Shares of
the Trust. In contrast to the 1993 Plan which required the Trust to provide a
Purchase Loan to each Participant who accepted a Stock Purchase Award, the
Amended Plan provides that a Participant may pay for such Shares in cash or
through a Purchase Loan, or a combination of both, as the Committee so
provides. Pursuant to the Amended Plan, and consistent with the 1993 Plan, the
Trust may lend Participants who receive Stock Purchase Awards funds to pay the
income tax associated with any forgiveness of a Purchase Loan. In contrast
with the 1993 Plan which provided for the automatic forgiveness of 50% of the
principal amount of a Purchase Loan pursuant to an established schedule, the
Amended Plan provides that, at the time of the grant of a Purchase Loan, the
Committee will determine the extent to which the Trust shall forgive the
repayment of all or a portion of a Purchase Loan, if any, and the terms of
such forgiveness. The Committee may condition such forgiveness on the
attainment of specified Performance Targets within the Award Period.
 
  The interest rate on a Purchase Loan is a fixed rate per annum equal to the
cash dividend rate for the calendar year immediately preceding the date of the
award divided by the Share price, or such other interest rate as the Committee
determines. The interest rate on a Tax Loan is the same rate charged on the
related Purchase Loan.
 
  Consistent with the 1993 Plan, Shares acquired through Stock Purchase Awards
are pledged to the Trust as security for the Purchase Loan and Tax Loan
relating to their purchase. Dividends on such Shares are also assigned to the
Trust and applied against the interest due on the loans. In contrast with the
1993 Plan which provided that loans would be non-recourse, Purchase Loans and
Tax Loans may be recourse or non-recourse, or a combination. The Amended Plan,
as does the 1993 Plan, allows for the annual release of pledged Shares as of
January 31 of any year provided that the Trust retains a portion of the Shares
having a Fair Market Value equal to 200% of the outstanding balance of the
Purchase Loan, Tax Loan and any accrued but unpaid Interest thereon. Shares
released from pledge may not be sold or otherwise transferred until the
related loans are paid in full.
 
  Non-Employee Trustees. The Amended Plan provides, as the 1993 Plan does, for
the grant of a Non-Qualified Option to purchase 2,500 Shares to each Non-
Employee Trustee whose term continues after the date of each annual meeting
until the termination of the Amended Plan. The exercise price for each such
Option is
 
                                      16
<PAGE>
 
the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of grant of the Option.
Options are exercisable in full commencing six months after the date of grant
and expire on the tenth anniversary of the date of grant.
 
  If a Non-Employee Trustee's service with the Trust terminates by reason of
death or Disability, his or her Options may be exercised for a period of two
years from the date of such termination or until the expiration of the Option,
whichever is shorter. In contrast with the 1993 Plan which provided for a
three month term in which to exercise Options after termination, if a Non-
Employee Trustee's service with the Trust terminates other than by reason of
death or Disability, and occurs under mutually satisfactory conditions, his or
her Options may be exercised for a period of one year from the date of such
termination or until the expiration of the Option, whichever is shorter.
 
  In addition, consistent with the 1993 Plan, under the Amended Plan,
Trustees' fees will be payable in cash or Shares or a combination of both, at
the election of each Trustee. The amount of the Trustees' fees will be
determined by the Committee each year. On or before the time when the fees are
set for a year, each Trustee will be required to elect the form of payment of
his or her fees. If no election is made, the fees will automatically be paid
in Shares. The fees will be paid on the next Business Day that is at least six
months after the date on which the amount of fees was set. Shares having a
Fair Market Value equal to the amount of the fees payable in Shares will be
issued to the Trustees on such date, except that the Trustees will receive
cash in lieu of any fractional Shares that would otherwise have been
deliverable. Such Shares can be transferred into the Trust's Dividend
Reinvestment Plan but are otherwise subject to restrictions on transfer for
three years after the date of their issuance.
 
  Loans. The Committee has the sole discretion (as it does under the 1993
Plan) to grant loans (apart from Purchase Loans and Tax Loans that are made in
connection with the Stock Purchase Awards) under the Amended Plan on such
terms and such rates as it deems reasonable. The loans are required to be used
to pay withholding taxes in respect of Awards or the exercise price of
Options. Non-Employee Trustees may not receive such loans.
 
CHANGE IN CONTROL PROVISIONS
 
  The Amended Plan revises the definition of Change in Control found in the
1993 Plan in certain respects. A Change in Control generally is defined to
include:
 
    (i) the acquisition by any Person, without approval of the Trustees, of
  Beneficial Ownership of more than 20% (in contrast to the lower threshold
  of 9.8% in the 1993 Plan) of the outstanding Voting Securities of the
  Trust;
 
    (ii) any election of persons to the Board of Trustees that causes two-
  thirds of the Board to consist of persons other than persons who were
  members of the Board as of the date of the Amended Plan ("Incumbent
  Trustees") or persons whose election or nomination by the shareholders of
  the Trust was approved by at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Trustees
  (this provision is taken in substance from the 1993 Plan);
 
    (iii) approval of the shareholders of the Trust of a merger,
  consolidation, or other reorganization involving the Trust, unless (a) the
  shareholders of the Trust immediately before such transaction constitute
  immediately after such transaction at least a majority of the shareholders
  of the Surviving Person resulting from such transaction (in contrast to the
  higher threshold of 60% in the 1993 Plan), (b) the Incumbent Trustees
  constitute at least two-thirds of the members of the governing board of the
  Surviving Person, and (c) no Person has Beneficial Ownership of 20% or more
  of the Surviving Person after any such transaction (except to the extent
  such Person had such Beneficial Ownership before any such transaction);
 
    (iv) a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Trust (this provision
  is taken in substance from the 1993 Plan); or
 
    (v) an agreement for the sale or other disposition of all or
  substantially all of the Trust's assets (this provision is taken in
  substance from the 1993 Plan).
 
                                      17
<PAGE>
 
  Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control of the Trust, and unless
otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, the outstanding Options
and SARs will become immediately and fully exercisable under the Amended Plan
(as the 1993 Plan today provides). In addition, unless the Committee provides
otherwise and as the 1993 Plan provides, the restrictions imposed on
Restricted Shares and on Non-Employee Trustee Awards lapse upon a Change in
Control. The Amended Plan provides similar treatment to Performance Units and
Performance Shares. The Amended Plan revises the 1993 Plan to provide for the
automatic and accelerated forgiveness of a Purchase Loan upon a Change in
Control which is consistent with the terms of Share Purchase Awards made in
1991 and 1993.
 
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
 
  Options and SARs. The Amended Plan revises the 1993 Plan by providing that,
unless otherwise provided in an Optionee's employment or other agreement or,
in the sole discretion of the Committee, in the Award Agreement, Options and
SARs will be exercisable within three months of any termination of employment
other than (i) termination for "Cause" (as defined in the Amended Plan), (ii)
termination due to death, Disability, or retirement, or (iii) termination
following a Change in Control. As the 1993 Plan today provides, Options and
SARs will be exercisable by a Participant or his or her Beneficiary, as the
case may be, within two years of a termination of employment by reason of
death, Disability or retirement. The Amended Plan revises the 1993 Plan by
providing that, in the event of termination following a Change in Control,
Options and SARs will be exercisable for a period of one year from the date of
such termination of employment or the expiration of the stated term of the
Option or SAR, whichever is shorter. Consistent with the 1993 Plan, if a
Participant's employment is terminated for "Cause," his or her Options and/or
SARs will no longer be exercisable after the date of such termination of
employment.
 
  Restricted Shares. As the 1993 Plan provides, upon termination of
employment, a Participant who has been awarded Restricted Shares forfeits the
right to receive such Shares to the extent the applicable performance
standards, length of service requirements or other measurement requirements
are not met.
 
  Performance Awards. In the case of Performance Awards, and unless otherwise
provided by the Committee in an Award Agreement, in the event of a
Participant's termination of employment prior to the end of an Award Period,
the Participant will not be entitled to any Performance Units and any
Performance Shares will be forfeited. If a Participant's Disability, death or
retirement occurs following at least twelve months of participation in any
Award Period, the Participant or such Participant's Beneficiary, as the case
may be, will be entitled to receive a pro-rata share of his or her Performance
Award. (These provisions are taken in substance from the 1993 Plan.)
 
  Purchase Loans and Tax Loans. As the 1993 Plan today provides, if a
Participant's employment with the Trust is terminated for Cause, the balance
of the Purchase Loans and Tax Loans made to such Participant will be
immediately due and payable. The Amended Plan revises the 1993 Plan by
providing that if a Participant's termination of employment occurs by reason
of death or Disability, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may initially
provide for the forgiveness of a Purchase Loan as of the date of such a
termination in such amount of the original principal amount of the Purchase
Loan as the Committee so provides. Consistent with the 1993 Plan, the balance
of any loan and any related withholding taxes are required to be paid to the
Trust within 180 days of such termination of employment. If a Participant's
employment terminates by reason of resignation, the balance of the
Participant's Purchase Loans and Tax Loans will be due and payable within 90
days of such termination. If the Participant is terminated by the Trust
without cause, the Participant will have one year to repay his or her loans.
 
OTHER INFORMATION
 
  Amendments and Termination. The Board may amend or terminate the Amended
Plan and the Committee may amend or alter the terms of Awards under the
Amended Plan. No such action may affect or impair the rights of a Participant
under any Award previously granted without such Participant's consent. No
amendment may be
 
                                      18
<PAGE>
 
made, without shareholder approval, that would require shareholder approval
under the Internal Revenue Code or other applicable law unless the Committee
determines that compliance with such requirement is no longer desired. (These
provisions are taken in substance from the 1993 Plan.)
 
  ERISA. The Amended Plan is not subject to the provisions of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
 
  Antidilution Provisions. As the 1993 Plan today provides, the number of
Shares authorized to be issued under the Amended Plan and subject to
outstanding Awards (and the purchase or exercise thereof) may be adjusted to
prevent dilution or enlargement of rights in the event of any stock dividend,
reorganization, reclassification, recapitalization, stock split, combination,
merger, consolidation or other relevant capitalization change. The Amended
Plan revises the 1993 Plan to provide that no adjustment will be made unless
and until such adjustment either by itself or with other adjustments not
previously made but carried forward would require an increase or decrease of
at least 1% in the number of Shares available under the Amended Plan or to
which any Award relates immediately prior to the making of such adjustment.
 
  Transferability. The rights and interests of a Participant in any Award
under the Amended Plan are not transferable except by will or the laws of
descent and distribution or, in contrast to the 1993 Plan, in the Committee's
sole discretion, pursuant to a domestic relations order. During the lifetime
of the Participant, only the Participant, or his or her guardian or legal
representative, may exercise the Participant's rights under the Amended Plan.
 
CERTAIN PLAN BENEFITS
 
  As described above, the selection of the Participants who will receive
Awards under the Amended Plan, and the size and type of Awards, is to be
determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. Other than Non-Employee
Trustee Awards, no Awards have been made or granted under the Amended Plan,
nor are any such Awards now determinable. Thus, it is not possible to predict
the benefits or amounts that will be received by or allocated to particular
individuals or groups of employees in 1997.
 
  The table below sets forth the Non-Employee Trustee Awards to be granted in
1997 under the 1993 Plan which will continue under the Amended Plan.
 
                              PLAN BENEFITS TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   NON-EMPLOYEE
     NAME                                                          TRUSTEE AWARD
     ----                                                          -------------
     <S>                                                           <C>
     Dennis L. Berman.............................................     2,500
     Kenneth D. Brody.............................................     2,500
     A. Cornet de Ways Ruart......................................     2,500
     Kristin Gamble...............................................     2,500
     Samuel J. Gorlitz............................................     2,500
     Walter F. Loeb...............................................     2,500
     Mark S. Ordan................................................     2,500
     George L. Perry..............................................     2,500
     All Non-Employee Trustees as a group.........................    20,000
</TABLE>
 
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
  The following is a brief summary of the principal federal income tax
consequences of Awards under the Amended Plan based upon current federal
income tax laws. The Amended Plan is not qualified under Section 401(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code. The summary is not intended to be comprehensive and,
among other things, does not describe state, local or foreign tax
consequences.
 
                                      19
<PAGE>
 
  Stock Options. Generally, a Participant will not recognize taxable income at
the time of grant of a Non-Qualified Option. Upon exercise of the Option, the
difference between the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of exercise
and the exercise price will be taxable as ordinary income to the Participant.
The Trust will receive a commensurate tax deduction at the time of exercise,
subject to the deduction limitation under Section 162(m) of the Internal
Revenue Code (which is discussed below).
 
  Subject to the discussion below, a Participant will not recognize taxable
income at the time of grant or exercise of an Incentive Stock Option, and the
Trust will not be entitled to a tax deduction with respect to such grant or
exercise. However, upon exercise, the difference between the Fair Market Value
of the Shares and the exercise price is an item of tax preference subject to
the possible application of the alternative minimum tax.
 
  Generally, if a Participant holds Shares acquired upon the exercise of an
Incentive Stock Option for at least one year after the date of exercise and
for at least two years after the date of grant of the Incentive Stock Option,
upon disposition of such Shares by the Participant, the difference, if any,
between the sales price of the Shares and the exercise price will be treated
as long-term capital gain or loss to the Participant. If a Participant sells
or disposes of Shares acquired upon the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option
within one year after the date of exercise or within two years after date of
grant of the Incentive Stock Option (a "disqualifying disposition"), then (i)
any excess of the Fair Market Value of such Shares at the time of exercise of
the Option over the exercise price of such Option will constitute ordinary
income to the Participant, (ii) any excess of the amount realized by the
Participant on the disqualifying disposition over the Fair Market Value of the
Shares on the date of exercise will generally be capital gain, and (iii) the
Trust will be entitled to a deduction equal to the amount of such ordinary
income recognized by the Participant, subject to the deduction limitation
under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.
 
  If an Option is exercised through the use of Shares previously owned by the
Participant, such exercise generally will not be considered a taxable
disposition of the previously owned Shares and thus no gain or loss will be
recognized with respect to such Shares upon such exercise. However, if an
Incentive Stock Option is exercised through the use of previously-owned Shares
that were acquired on the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option, and the
holding period requirement for those Shares is not satisfied at the time they
are used to exercise the Option, such use will constitute a disqualifying
disposition of the previously-owned Shares resulting in the recognition of
ordinary income in the amount described above with respect to disqualifying
dispositions.
 
  Stock Appreciation Rights. No income will be realized by a Participant in
connection with the grant of any SAR. The Participant must include in ordinary
income the amount of cash received and the Fair Market Value on the exercise
date of any Shares received upon the exercise of an SAR. The Trust will be
entitled to a deduction, subject to the deduction limitation under Section
162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, equal to the amount included in such
Participant's income by reason of the exercise of any SAR.
 
  Dividend Equivalent Rights. A Participant realizes ordinary income upon the
receipt of Dividend Equivalent Rights in an amount equal to any cash received
and the Fair Market Value of any Shares received, and the Trust will be
entitled to a deduction of the same amount, subject to the deduction
limitation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.
 
  Restricted Shares and Performance Shares. A grant of Restricted Shares or
Performance Shares generally does not constitute a taxable event for a
Participant or the Trust. However, the Participant will be subject to tax, at
ordinary income rates, when any restrictions on ownership of the Restricted
Shares or Performance Shares lapse. The Trust will be entitled to take a
commensurate deduction at that time, subject to the deduction limitation under
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.
 
  A Participant may elect to recognize taxable ordinary income at the time
Restricted Shares or Performance Shares are awarded in an amount equal to the
Fair Market Value of the Shares at the time of grant, determined without
regard to any forfeiture restrictions. If such an election is made, the Trust
will be entitled to a deduction at that time in the same amounts, subject to
the deduction limitation under Section 162(m) of the Internal
 
                                      20
<PAGE>
 
Revenue Code. Future appreciation on the Shares will be taxed at the capital
gains rate when the Shares are sold. However, if, after making such an
election, the Shares are forfeited, the Participant will be unable to claim a
deduction.
 
  Performance Units. Generally, a Participant will not recognize any taxable
income and the Trust will not be entitled to a deduction upon the award of
Performance Units. At the time the Participant receives a payment in respect
of Performance Units, the Fair Market Value of any Shares or the amount of any
cash received in payment for such Performance Units generally is taxable to
the Participant as ordinary income and the Trust will be entitled to a tax
deduction, subject to the deduction limitation under Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code.
 
  Stock Purchase Awards. A Participant who receives a Stock Purchase Award
incurs no tax liability and the Trust does not receive any deduction at the
time Shares are acquired through a Stock Purchase Award. However, to the
extent a Purchase Loan is forgiven, a Participant will be required to
recognize income in an amount equal to the forgiven portion of the loan as
such portion is forgiven. The Trust will be entitled to a tax deduction at
such time, subject to the deduction limitation under Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code.
 
  Non-Employee Trustee Awards. Non-Employee Trustee options will receive the
same federal income tax treatment as other Non-Qualified Options. The Trustee
will recognize ordinary income equal to the Fair Market Value of the Shares
received in lieu of Trustees' fees and the Trust will be entitled to a
deduction in the same amount, subject to the deduction limitation under
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.
 
  Deductibility of Executive Compensation. Section 162(m) of the Internal
Revenue Code generally disallows a federal income tax deduction to any
publicly held company for compensation paid in excess of $1 million in any
taxable year to the chief executive officer or any of the other four most
highly compensated executive officers employed by the corporation on the last
day of the taxable year. Exceptions are made for, among other things,
qualified "performance-based compensation." Qualified performance-based
compensation means compensation paid solely on account of the attainment of
objective performance goals, provided that (i) performance goals are
established by a compensation committee consisting solely of two or more
outside directors, (ii) the material terms of the performance-based
compensation are disclosed to and approved by shareholders in a separate
shareholder vote prior to payment and (iii) prior to payment, the compensation
committee certifies that the performance goals were attained and other
material terms were satisfied. The Amended Plan is designed to conform with
the performance-based compensation exception to Section 162(m) of the Internal
Revenue Code.
 
  Section 280G of the Code. Under certain circumstances, the accelerated
vesting or exercise of Options or SARs or the accelerated lapse of
restrictions with respect to other Awards in connection with a Change in
Control of the Trust might be deemed an "excess parachute payment" for
purposes of the golden parachute tax provisions of Section 280G of the
Internal Revenue Code. To the extent it is so considered, the Participant may
be subject to a 20% excise tax and the Trust may be denied a tax deduction.
 
      THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR PROPOSAL 2.
 
               RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
  Grant Thornton LLP has been selected as independent public accountants for
the Trust for the current year, and examined the Trust's financial statements
for the year ended December 31, 1996. Grant Thornton LLP also provided limited
reviews of the Trust's quarterly financial information and assisted in
connection with certain other filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
 
  A representative of Grant Thornton LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting
and will have the opportunity to make a statement and answer appropriate
questions from shareholders.
 
                                      21
<PAGE>
 
                                 ANNUAL REPORT
 
  A COPY OF THE TRUST'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER
31, 1996, AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, WILL BE MAILED
WITHOUT CHARGE TO SHAREHOLDERS UPON REQUEST. REQUESTS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO
THE TRUST, 1626 EAST JEFFERSON STREET, ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20852, ATTENTION:
MS. KATHY KLEIN, VICE PRESIDENT--CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS. THE FORM 10-K
INCLUDES CERTAIN EXHIBITS, WHICH WILL BE PROVIDED ONLY UPON PAYMENT OF A FEE
COVERING THE TRUST'S REASONABLE EXPENSES.
 
       SOLICITATION OF PROXIES, SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS AND OTHER MATTERS
 
  The cost of this solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Trust. In
addition to the use of the mails, Trust officials may solicit proxies in
person and by telephone or telegraph, and may request brokerage houses and
other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward soliciting materials to
the beneficial owners of Shares.
 
  Proposals of shareholders intended to be presented at the 1998 Annual
Meeting must be received by the Trust no later than November 30, 1997 to be
considered for inclusion in the Trust's proxy statement and form of proxy
relating to such meeting.
 
  The Trustees know of no other business to be presented at the Annual
Meeting. If other matters properly come before the meeting, the persons named
as proxies will vote on them in accordance with their best judgment.
 
  You are urged to complete, sign, date and return your proxy promptly to make
certain your Shares will be voted at the Annual Meeting. For your convenience
in returning the proxy, an addressed envelope is enclosed, requiring no
additional postage if mailed in the United States.
 
                                          For the Trustees,
 
                                          /s/ Catherine R. Mack
 
                                          Catherine R. Mack
                                          Vice President--General
                                          Counsel and Secretary
 
          YOUR PROXY IS IMPORTANT WHETHER YOU OWN FEW OR MANY SHARES.
                     PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND MAIL IT TODAY.
 
                                      22
<PAGE>
 
                                                                      EXHIBIT A
 
                        FEDERAL REALTY INVESTMENT TRUST
 
                             AMENDED AND RESTATED
                         1993 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
 
ARTICLE I. PURPOSE AND ADOPTION OF THE PLAN
 
  1.01 PURPOSE. The purpose of the Federal Realty Investment Trust Amended and
Restated 1993 Long-Term Incentive Plan (hereinafter referred to as the "Plan")
is to assist the Trust (as hereinafter defined) in attracting and retaining
individuals to serve as Trustees and highly competent personnel who will
contribute to the Trust's success and to act as an incentive in motivating
selected officers and key employees to achieve long-term objectives which will
inure to the benefit of all shareholders of the Trust. It is intended that
this purpose be achieved by extending to officers, employees, consultants, and
Trustees of the Trust and its Subsidiaries a long-term incentive for high
levels of performance and efforts through the grant of Options, Stock
Appreciation Rights, Dividend Equivalent Rights, Performance Awards and/or
Restricted Shares (as each such term is herein defined).
 
  1.02 ADOPTION, AMENDMENT AND TERM. The original Plan was approved by the
Trustees in 1993 and thereafter approved by the Trust's shareholders at the
1993 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The amendment and restatement of the Plan
was approved by the Trustees on March 24, 1997 subject to the approval of the
Trust's shareholders at the 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Plan will
be amended and restated if at such 1997 Annual Meeting a quorum is present and
a majority of the votes cast at such meeting with respect to the Plan shall be
cast in favor of its approval (including, without limitation, abstentions to
the extent abstentions may be counted). The Plan shall terminate without
further action of the Trustees and the shareholders on the tenth anniversary
of the date on which the original Plan was approved by the shareholders.
 
ARTICLE II. DEFINITIONS
 
  For purposes of this Plan, capitalized terms shall have the following
meanings:
 
  2.01 ACCEPTANCE DATE means the date, no later than the twentieth (20th)
Business Day after the Offer Date, on which a Participant accepts an offer to
purchase Shares made pursuant to a Stock Purchase Award.
 
  2.02 ADJUSTED FAIR MARKET VALUE means, in the event of a Change in Control,
the greater of (i) the highest price per Share paid to holders of the Shares
in any transaction (or series of transactions) constituting or resulting in a
Change in Control or (ii) the highest Fair Market Value of a Share during the
sixty (60) day period ending on the date of the Change in Control.
 
  2.03 ANNUAL RETAINER means the total amount which is determined each year by
the Trustees to be payable to each Non-Employee Trustee for services during
such year as a Non-Employee Trustee and as a member of a committee or
committees of the Trustees.
 
  2.04 ANNUAL RETAINER PAYMENT DATE means the date determined each year by the
Trustees as the date on which the Annual Retainer for such year shall be paid.
The Annual Retainer Payment Date for a year shall be at least six months after
the date on which the amount of the Annual Retainer for such year is
determined.
 
  2.05 AWARD means (a) any grant to a Participant of any one or a combination
of Non-Qualified Stock Options or Incentive Stock Options (with or without
Stock Appreciation Rights) described in Article VI, Dividend Equivalent Rights
described in Article VI, Restricted Shares described in Article VII,
Performance Awards described in Article VIII, or Stock Purchase Awards
described in Article IX or (b) any grant to a Non-Employee Trustee of a Non-
Employee Trustee Award described in Article X.
 
  2.06 AWARD AGREEMENT means a written agreement between the Trust and a
Participant or a written acknowledgment from the Trust specifically setting
forth the terms and conditions of an Award granted to a Participant.
 
                                      A-1
<PAGE>
 
  2.07 AWARD PERIOD means, with respect to an Award, the period of time, if
any, set forth in the Award Agreement during which specified target
performance goals must be achieved or other conditions set forth in the Award
Agreement must be satisfied.
 
  2.08 BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP means ownership within the meaning of Rule 13d-3
promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act.
 
  2.09 BENEFICIARY means an individual, trust or estate who or which, by a
written designation of the Participant filed with the Trust or by operation of
law, succeeds to the rights and obligations of the Participant under the Plan
and an Award Agreement upon the Participant's death.
 
  2.10 BUSINESS DAY means any day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open
for trading.
 
  2.11 CAUSE means (a) the definition set forth in the employment or other
agreement between the Participant and the Trust or, in absence thereof, (b)
Participant's: (i) failure (other than failure due to disability) to
substantially perform his duties with the Trust, which failure remains uncured
after written notice thereof and the expiration of a reasonable period of time
thereafter in which Participant is diligently pursuing cure; (ii) willful
misconduct which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Trust or an
affiliate thereof, monetarily or otherwise; (iii) breach of fiduciary duty
involving personal profit; or (iv) willful violation in the course of
performing his duties for the Trust of any law, rule or regulation (other than
traffic violations or misdemeanor offenses). No act or failure to act shall be
considered willful unless done or omitted to be done in bad faith and without
reasonable belief that the action or omission was in the best interest of the
Trust.
 
  2.12 CHANGE IN CAPITALIZATION means any increase or reduction in the number
of Shares, or any change (including, without limitation, a change in value) in
the Shares or exchange of Shares for a different number or kind of shares or
other securities of the Trust or another Person, by reason of a
reclassification, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, reorganization,
spin-off, split-up, issuance of warrants or rights or debentures, stock
dividend, stock split or reverse stock split, property dividend, combination
or exchange of shares, change in corporate structure or substantially similar
event.
 
  2.13 CHANGE IN CONTROL means any of the events set forth below; provided,
however, that the Committee, in its sole discretion, may specify a more
restrictive definition of Change in Control in any Award Agreement and, in
such event, the definition of Change in Control set forth in the Award
Agreement shall apply to the Award granted under such Award Agreement:
 
    (a) An acquisition in one or more transactions (other than directly from
  the Trust or pursuant to options granted under this Plan or otherwise by
  the Trust) of any Trust Voting Securities by any Person immediately after
  which such Person has Beneficial Ownership of 20% or more of the combined
  voting power of the then outstanding Trust Voting Securities; provided,
  however, in determining whether a Change in Control has occurred, Trust
  Voting Securities which are acquired in a "Non-Control Acquisition" (as
  hereinafter defined) shall not constitute an acquisition which would cause
  a Change in Control. A "Non-Control Acquisition" shall mean an acquisition
  by (i) an employee benefit plan (or a trust forming a part thereof)
  maintained by (x) the Trust or (y) a Subsidiary, (ii) the Trust or any
  Subsidiary, or (iii) any Person in connection with a "Non-Control
  Transaction" (as hereinafter defined).
 
    (b) The individuals who, as of the date of this Plan, are members of the
  Trustees (the "Incumbent Trustees"), cease for any reason to constitute at
  least two-thirds of the Trustees; provided, however, that if the election,
  or nomination for election by the Trust's shareholders, of any new member
  was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Trustees,
  such new member shall, for purposes of this Plan, be considered as a member
  of the Incumbent Trustees; provided, further, however, that no individual
  shall be considered a member of the Incumbent Trustees if such individual
  initially assumed office as a result of either an actual or threatened
  "Election Contest" (as described in Rule 14a-11 promulgated under the
  Exchange Act) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or
  consents by or on behalf of a Person
 
                                      A-2
<PAGE>
 
  other than the Trustees (a "Proxy Contest"), including, without limitation,
  by reason of any agreement intended to avoid or settle any Election Contest
  or Proxy Contest; or
 
    (c) Approval by shareholders of the Trust of
 
      (1) A merger, consolidation or other reorganization involving the
    Trust, unless:
 
        (i) the shareholders of the Trust, immediately before such merger,
      consolidation or reorganization, own, directly or indirectly
      immediately following such merger, consolidation or other
      reorganization, at least a majority of the combined voting power of
      the outstanding voting securities of the Person resulting from such
      merger, consolidation or other reorganization (the "Surviving
      Person") in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of
      the Trust Voting Securities immediately before such merger,
      consolidation or other reorganization,
 
        (ii) the individuals who were members of the Incumbent Trustees
      immediately prior to the execution of the agreement providing for
      such merger, consolidation or other reorganization constitute at
      least two-thirds of the members of the governing board of the
      Surviving Person,
 
        (iii) no Person (other than the Trust or any Subsidiary, any
      employee benefit plan (or any trust forming a part thereof)
      maintained by the Trust or any Subsidiary, or any Person which,
      immediately prior to such merger, consolidation, or other
      reorganization had Beneficial Ownership of 20% or more of the then
      outstanding Trust Voting Securities) has Beneficial Ownership of 20%
      or more of the combined voting power of the Surviving Person's then
      outstanding voting securities, and
 
        (iv) a transaction described in clauses (i) through (iii) shall
      herein be referred to as a "Non-Control Transaction;"
 
      (2) A complete liquidation or dissolution of the Trust; or
 
      (3) An agreement for the sale or other disposition of all or
    substantially all of the assets of the Trust to any Person (other than
    a transfer to a Subsidiary).
 
  Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to
occur solely because any Person (the "Subject Person") acquired Beneficial
Ownership of more than the permitted amount of the outstanding Trust Voting
Securities as a result of the acquisition of Trust Voting Securities by the
Trust which, by reducing the number of Trust Voting Securities outstanding,
increases the proportional number of shares Beneficially Owned by the Subject
Person: provided, however, that if a Change in Control would occur (but for
the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of Trust Voting
Securities by the Trust, and after such share acquisition by the Trust, the
Subject Person becomes the Beneficial Owner of any additional Trust Voting
Securities which increases the percentage of the then outstanding Trust Voting
Securities Beneficially Owned by the Subject, then a Change in Control shall
occur.
 
  2.14 CODE means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to
time, or any successor thereto. References to a section of the Code shall
include that section and any comparable section or sections of any future
legislation that amends, supplements or supersedes said section.
 
  2.15 COMMITTEE means a Committee designated by the Trustees having the power
and authority to administer the Plan in accordance with Section 3.01 and as
described in Section 3.02.
 
  2.16 DATE OF GRANT means the date designated by the Committee as the date as
of which it grants an Award, which shall not be earlier than the date on which
the Committee approves the granting of such Award.
 
  2.17 DISABILITY means any physical or mental injury or disease which renders
a Participant incapable of meeting the requirements of the employment
performed by such Participant immediately prior to the commencement of such
disability. The determination of whether a Participant is disabled shall be
made by the Committee in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
if a Participant's employment by the Trust
 
                                      A-3
<PAGE>
 
terminates by reason of a disability, as defined in an employment or other
agreement between such Participant and the Trust, such Participant shall be
deemed to be disabled for purposes of the Plan.
 
  2.18 DISABILITY DATE means the date which is six months after the date on
which a Participant is first absent from active employment with the Trust by
reason of a Disability.
 
  2.19 DISINTERESTED PERSON shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 16b-3, as
promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act.
 
  2.20 DIVIDEND EQUIVALENT RIGHT means a right, as described in Section 6.05,
to receive all or some portion of the cash dividends that are or would be
payable with respect to Shares.
 
  2.21 DIVISION means any of the operating units or divisions of the Trust or
a Subsidiary thereof designated as a Division by the Committee.
 
  2.22 EXCHANGE ACT means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
  2.23 FAIR MARKET VALUE means, as of any given date, with respect to any
Awards granted hereunder, the closing trading price of the Shares on such date
as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or, if the Shares are not then
traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on such other national securities
exchange on which the Shares are admitted to trade, or, if none, on the
National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System if the
Shares are admitted for quotation thereon; provided, however, if there were no
sales reported as of such date, Fair Market Value shall be computed as of the
last date preceding such date on which a sale was reported; provided, further,
that if any such exchange or quotation system is closed on any day on which
Fair Market Value is to be determined, Fair Market Value shall be determined
as of the first date immediately preceding such date on which such exchange or
quotation system was open for trading.
 
  2.24 INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION means an Option designated as an incentive stock
option and which satisfies the requirements of Section 422 of the Code.
 
  2.25 INTEREST means the amount of interest accrued on a Purchase Loan or a
Tax Loan made to a Participant during the relevant period. Interest on a
Purchase Loan or a Tax Loan shall accrue at a fixed rate per annum during the
entire term of the relevant loan. The interest rate for a Purchase Loan shall
be calculated by dividing (i) the amount of cash dividend paid on one Share
for the calendar year preceding the Acceptance Date by (ii) the Share Price,
or such other interest rate as the Committee, in its sole discretion,
determines. The interest rate for a Tax Loan shall be identical to the
interest rate charged on the related Purchase Loan. In no event, however,
shall such rates be greater than the maximum rate chargeable to consumers
under the usury laws of the State of Maryland.
 
  2.26 NON-EMPLOYEE TRUSTEE means each member of the Trustees who is not an
employee of the Trust.
 
  2.27 NON-EMPLOYEE TRUSTEE AWARDS means Awards granted in accordance with
Article X.
 
  2.28 NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION means an Option which is not an Incentive
Stock Option.
 
  2.29 NORMAL RETIREMENT DATE means the date on which a Participant terminates
active employment with the Trust on or after attainment of age 65, but does
not include termination by the Trust for Cause.
 
  2.30 OFFER DATE means the date on which the Committee grants a Participant a
Stock Purchase Award.
 
  2.31 OPTIONS means any Incentive Stock Option or Non-Qualified Stock Option
granted pursuant to the Plan.
 
  2.32 OPTIONEE means a person to whom an Option has been granted under the
Plan.
 
 
                                      A-4
<PAGE>
 
  2.33 OTHER RETIREMENT DATE means a date, on or after the Participant's
attainment of age 55 but earlier than the Participant's Normal Retirement
Date, which is specifically approved and designated in writing by the
Committee to be the date upon which a Participant retires for purposes of this
Plan.
 
  2.34 OUTSTANDING SHARES means, at any time, the issued and outstanding
Shares.
 
  2.35 PARTICIPANT shall mean any individual selected by the Committee to
receive an Award under the Plan in accordance with Article V and, solely to
the extent provided in Article X of the Plan, any Non-Employee Trustees of the
Trust.
 
  2.36 PERFORMANCE AWARD means Performance Units, Performance Shares or any
combination thereof.
 
  2.37 PERFORMANCE SHARES means Shares issued or transferred to a Participant
under Section 8.03
 
  2.38 PERFORMANCE TARGET has the meaning set forth in Section 8.01.
 
  2.39 PERFORMANCE UNITS means Performance Units granted to a Participant
under Section 8.02.
 
  2.40 PERSON means "person" as such term is used for purposes of Section
13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act, including, without limitation, any
individual, firm, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, trust
or other entity, or any group of Persons.
 
  2.41 PLAN means the Federal Realty Investment Trust Amended and Restated
1993 Long-Term Incentive Plan as set forth herein, and as the same may be
amended from time to time.
 
  2.42 POOLING TRANSACTION means an acquisition of the Trust in a transaction
which is intended to be treated as a "pooling of interests" under generally
accepted accounting principles.
 
  2.43 PURCHASE LOAN means the loan provided to a Participant by the Trust to
facilitate the Participant's purchase of Shares pursuant to a Stock Purchase
Award.
 
  2.44 PURCHASE LOAN TERM means the period for repayment and satisfaction of a
Purchase Loan.
 
  2.45 RELOAD OPTION shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.03(f).
 
  2.46 RESTRICTED SHARES means Shares subject to restrictions imposed in
connection with Awards granted under Article VII.
 
  2.47 RULE 16B-3 means Rule 16b-3 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange
Commission under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, as the same may be amended
from time to time, and any successor rule.
 
  2.48 SHARE PRICE means the price per share at which the Stock Purchase Award
shall be offered to a Participant, and shall be equal to the greater of (i)
the average of the closing price of a share in the New York Stock Exchange for
the twenty (20) trading days prior to the Offer Date or (ii) the Fair Market
Value of a Share on the Acceptance Date.
 
  2.49 SHARES mean the common shares of beneficial interest in the Trust, no
par value per share.
 
  2.50 STOCK PURCHASE AWARD means an Award, granted in accordance with Article
IX, of the right to acquire Shares.
 
  2.51 STOCK PURCHASE PRICE means the number of Shares in a Participant's
Stock Purchase Award multiplied by the Share Price.
 
  2.52 STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS means a right to receive all or some portion
of the increase in the value of the Shares as provided in Section 6.04.
 
                                      A-5
<PAGE>
 
  2.53 SUBSIDIARY means any Person of which a majority of its voting power or
equity securities or equity interests is owned directly or indirectly by the
Trust.
 
  2.54 TAX LOAN means a loan (or loans) offered to and accepted by a
Participant to offset all or a portion of federal and state taxes that a
Participant incurs as a result of the Trust's forgiveness of his Purchase
Loan.
 
  2.55 TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT means the voluntary or involuntary
termination of a Participant's employment with the Trust for any reason,
including, without limitation, death, Disability, retirement or as the result
of a Change in Control. Whether entering military or other government service
shall constitute Termination of Employment, and whether a Termination of
Employment is a result of Disability, shall be determined in each case by the
Committee in its sole discretion.
 
  2.56 TRUST means Federal Realty Investment Trust, a District of Columbia
unincorporated business trust, and its successors.
 
  2.57 TRUST VOTING SECURITIES means the combined voting power of all
outstanding voting securities of the Trust entitled to vote generally in the
election of the Trustees.
 
  2.58 TRUSTEES means the Board of Trustees of the Trust.
 
ARTICLE III. ADMINISTRATION
 
  3.01 AUTHORITY OF COMMITTEE.
 
    (a) The Plan shall be administered by the Committee which shall have
  exclusive and final authority in each determination, interpretation or
  other action affecting the Plan and its Participants. The Committee shall
  have the sole discretion to interpret the Plan, to select the officers,
  other employees, consultants and Trustees (other than Non-Employee
  Trustees) to whom Awards may be granted, to determine all claims for
  benefits under the Plan, to impose such conditions and restrictions on
  Awards as it determines appropriate and to take such steps in connection
  with the Plan and Awards granted hereunder as it may deem necessary or
  advisable. The Committee may, with respect to Participants who are not
  subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, delegate such of its powers
  and authority under the Plan as it deems appropriate to designated officers
  or employees of the Trust.
 
    (b) Without limiting the Committee's authority under other provisions of
  the Plan, but subject to any express limitations of the Plan, including,
  without limitation, Section 11.13(b), the Committee shall have the
  authority to accelerate an Award described in Section 2.05(a) and to waive
  restrictive conditions for an Award described in Section 2.05(a)
  (including, without limitation, any forfeiture conditions), in such
  circumstances as the Committee deems appropriate. In the case of any
  acceleration of an Award described in Section 2.05(a) after the attainment
  of the applicable Performance Target(s), the amount payable shall be
  discounted to its present value using an interest rate equal to Moody's
  Average Corporate Bond Yield for the month preceding the month in which
  such acceleration occurs.
 
  3.02 COMMITTEE. The Committee shall consist of at least two (2) members of
the Trustees and may consist of the entire Trustees; provided, however, that
(A) if the Committee consists of less than the entire Trustees, each member
shall be a "Non-Employee Director" within the meaning of Exchange Act Rule
16b-3 and (B) to the extent necessary for any Award intended to qualify as
performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code to so qualify,
each member of the Committee, whether or not it consists of the entire
Trustees, shall be an "outside director" within the meaning of Section 162(m)
of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder. The Committee shall
hold meetings at such times as may be necessary for the proper administration
of the Plan. The Committee shall keep minutes of its meetings.
 
  3.03 REQUISITE ACTION. A quorum shall consist of not fewer than two-thirds
of the members of the Committee and a majority of a quorum may authorize any
action. Any decision or determination reduced to
 
                                      A-6
<PAGE>
 
writing and signed by a majority of all of the members of the Committee shall
be as fully effective as if made by a majority vote at a meeting duly called
and held.
 
  3.04 EXCULPATION. No member of the Committee shall be liable for any action,
failure to act, determination or interpretation made in good faith with
respect to this Plan or any transaction hereunder, except for liability
arising from his own willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of his duties. The Trust hereby agrees to indemnify each member of
the Committee for all costs and expenses and, to the extent permitted by
applicable law, any liability incurred in connection with defending against,
responding to, negotiating for the settlement of or otherwise dealing with any
claim, cause of action or dispute of any kind arising in connection with any
actions in administering this Plan or in authorizing or denying authorization
to any transaction hereunder.
 
ARTICLE IV. AWARDS
 
  4.01 PERFORMANCE UNITS DENOMINATED IN DOLLARS. The maximum dollar amount
that the Chief Executive Officer of the Trust may be awarded in any calendar
year in respect of Performance Units denominated in dollars is $3 million, and
the maximum dollar amount that any Participant (except the Chief Executive
Officer of the Trust) may be awarded in any calendar year in respect of
Performance Units denominated in dollars is $1 million.
 
  4.02 NUMBER OF SHARES ISSUABLE. Subject to adjustments as provided in
Section 11.06, the maximum number of Shares that may be made the subject of
Awards granted under the Plan is 4,000,000; provided, however, that during the
term of the Plan (i) no Participant (other than the Chief Executive Officer of
the Trust) may be granted Awards (other than Performance Units denominated in
dollars and Dividend Equivalent Rights) in the aggregate in respect of more
than 100,000 Shares per calendar year, (ii) the Chief Executive Officer of the
Trust may not be granted Awards (other than Performance Units denominated in
dollars and Dividend Equivalent Rights) in the aggregate in respect of more
than 500,000 Shares per calendar year, (iii) no Participant (other than the
Chief Executive Officer of the Trust) may be granted Dividend Equivalent
Rights with respect to more than 100,000 Shares per calendar year, (iv) the
Chief Executive Officer of the Trust may not be granted Dividend Equivalent
Rights with respect to more than 500,000 Shares per calendar year, and (v) the
aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares with respect to which Incentive
Stock Options granted under the Plan become exercisable for the first time by
an Optionee during any calendar year shall not exceed $100,000. The Trust
shall reserve, for purposes of the Plan, out of its authorized but unissued
Shares or Shares held in the Trust's treasury, or partly out of each, such
number of Shares as shall be determined by the Trustees.
 
  4.03 REDUCTION. Solely for purposes of applying the Section 4.02 limit on
the maximum number of Shares that may be made the subject of Awards granted
under the Plan (but not for purposes of applying the Section 4.02 limits on
the number of Shares per calendar year that may be made the subject of Awards
granted to individual Participants), upon the granting of an Award, the
maximum number of Shares available under Section 4.02 for the granting of
further Awards shall be reduced as follows:
 
    (a) In connection with the granting of an Award (other than the granting
  of a Performance Unit denominated in dollars), the number of Shares shall
  be reduced by the number of Shares in respect of which the Award is granted
  or denominated.
 
    (b) In connection with the granting of a Performance Unit denominated in
  dollars, the number of Shares shall be reduced by an amount equal to the
  quotient of (i) the dollar amount in which the Performance Unit is
  denominated, divided by (ii) the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date
  the Performance Unit is granted.
 
  4.04 SHARES SUBJECT TO TERMINATED AWARDS. Solely for purposes of applying
the Section 4.02 limit on the maximum number of Shares that may be made the
subject of Awards granted under the Plan (but not for purposes of applying the
Section 4.02 limits on the number of Shares per calendar year that may be made
the subject of Awards granted to individual Participants), whenever any
outstanding Award or portion thereof expires, is canceled or is otherwise
terminated for any reason without having been exercised or payment having been
made in respect of the entire Award, the Shares allocable to the expired,
canceled or otherwise terminated portion of the Award may again be the subject
of Awards granted hereunder.
 
 
                                      A-7
<PAGE>
 
ARTICLE V. PARTICIPATION
 
  5.01 ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS. Participants in the Plan shall be such officers,
other employees, consultants and Trustees of the Trust and its Subsidiaries as
the Committee, in its sole discretion, may designate from time to time. The
Committee's designation of a Participant in any year shall not require the
Committee to designate such person to receive Awards or grants in any other
year. The designation of a Participant to receive Awards or grants under one
portion of the Plan shall not require the Committee to include such
Participant under other portions of the Plan. The Committee shall consider
such factors as it deems pertinent in selecting Participants and in
determining the type and amount of their respective Awards. More than one type
of Award may be granted to a Participant at one time or at different times.
Non-Employee Trustees shall receive Non-Employee Trustee Awards in accordance
with Article X of the Plan, the provisions of which are automatic and non-
discretionary in operation. Non-Employee Trustees shall not be eligible to
receive any other Awards under the Plan.
 
ARTICLE VI. STOCK OPTIONS
 
  6.01 GRANT OF OPTION. The Committee may grant Options to Participants either
alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan. Any Option
granted under the Plan shall, subject to the provisions of the Plan, be in
such form as the Committee may, from time to time, approve, and the terms and
conditions of Option Awards need not be the same with respect to each
Participant. The Committee shall have the authority to grant to any
Participant one or more Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options,
or both types of Options. To the extent that any Option does not qualify as an
Incentive Stock Option (whether because of its provisions or the time or
manner of its exercise or otherwise), such Option or the portion thereof which
does not qualify shall constitute a separate Non-Qualified Stock Option.
 
  6.02 INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS. In the case of any grant of an Option,
designated by the Committee to be an Incentive Stock Option, each provision in
the Plan and in any related Award Agreement shall, to the maximum extent
possible, be interpreted in such a manner as to qualify the Option as an
Incentive Stock Option. If any provision of this Plan or such Award Agreement
shall be held not to comply with the requirements necessary to so qualify such
Option, then (i) such provision shall be deemed to have contained from the
outset such language as shall be necessary to qualify the Option as an
Incentive Stock Option, and (ii) all other provisions of this Plan and the
Award Agreement relating to such Option shall remain in full force and effect.
If any Award Agreement covering an Option designated by the Committee to be an
Incentive Stock Option shall not explicitly include any terms required to
qualify such Option as an Incentive Stock Option, all such terms shall be
deemed implicit in the designation of such Option and the Option shall be
deemed to have been granted subject to all such terms.
 
  6.03 TERMS OF OPTIONS. Options granted under the Plan shall be subject to
the following terms and conditions and shall be in such form and contain such
additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan,
as the Committee shall deem desirable:
 
    (a) Option Price. The price per Share of an Option shall be determined by
  the Committee at the Date of Grant but shall be not less than the Fair
  Market Value of a Share on the Date of Grant.
 
    (b) Option Term. The term of each Option shall be fixed by the Committee,
  but no Option shall be exercisable more than ten years after the Date of
  Grant. The Committee may, subsequent to the granting of any Option, extend
  the term thereof, but in no event shall the term so extended exceed the
  maximum term provided for in the preceding sentence.
 
    (c) Exercisability. Subject to Sections 6.03(g) and 6.03(h)(i) of the
  Plan, (i) an Award Agreement with respect to Options may contain such
  performance targets, waiting periods, exercise dates and restrictions on
  exercise (including, without limitation, a requirement that an Option is
  exercisable in periodic installments) as may be determined by the Committee
  at the time of grant, and (ii) no Option may be exercised in whole or in
  part prior to six months from the Date of Grant. To the extent not
  exercised, installments shall accumulate and be exercisable, in whole or in
  part, at any time after becoming exercisable, but not later than the date
  the Option expires.
 
 
                                      A-8
<PAGE>
 
    (d) Method of Exercise. Subject to whatever installment exercise and
  waiting period provisions apply under subsection (c) above, Options may be
  exercised in whole or in part at any time during the Award Period, only by
  giving written notice of exercise delivered in person or by mail to the
  Secretary of the Trust at the Trust's principal executive office. Such
  notice shall specify the number of Shares to be purchased and shall be
  accompanied by payment in full of the purchase price in such form as the
  Committee may accept (including, without limitation, payment in accordance
  with a cashless exercise program under which, if so instructed by the
  Participant, Shares may be issued directly to the Participant's broker or
  dealer upon receipt of the purchase price in cash from the broker or
  dealer). If and to the extent determined by the Committee in its sole
  discretion at or after grant, payment in full or in part may also be made
  in the form of Shares duly owned by the Participant (and for which the
  Participant has good title, free and clear of any liens and encumbrances)
  or, in the case of Non-Qualified Stock Options, of Restricted Shares or by
  reduction in the number of Shares issuable upon such exercise based, in
  each case, on the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date the Option is
  exercised (without regard to any forfeiture restrictions, applicable to
  Restricted Shares). No Shares shall be issued until Participant shall
  generally have the rights to dividends or other rights of a shareholder
  with respect to Shares subject to the Option when the Participant has given
  written notice of exercise and has paid for such Shares as provided herein.
  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if payment in full or in part has been made
  in the form of Restricted Shares, an equivalent number of Shares issued on
  exercise of the Option shall be subject to the same restrictions and
  conditions for the remainder of the Award Period applicable to the
  Restricted Shares surrendered therefor.
 
    (e) Alternative Method of Exercise. If the Fair Market Value of the
  Shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised exceeds the
  exercise price of such Option, an Optionee may, instead of exercising an
  Option as provided in Section 6.03(d), request that the Committee authorize
  payment to the Optionee of the difference between the Fair Market Value of
  part or all of the Shares which are the subject of the Option and the
  exercise price of the Option, such difference to be determined as of the
  date prior to the date the Committee receives the request from the
  Optionee. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may grant or deny such a
  request from an Optionee with respect to part or all of the Shares as to
  which the Option is then exercisable and, to the extent granted, shall
  direct the Trust to make the payment to the Optionee either in cash or in
  Shares or in any combination thereof; provided, however, that payment in
  shares shall be made based upon the Fair Market Value of Shares as of the
  date the Committee received the request from the Optionee. An Option shall
  be deemed to have been exercised and shall be canceled to the extent that
  the Committee grants a request pursuant to this Section 6.03(e).
 
    (f) Reload Options. On or before the date of the 1997 Annual Meeting of
  Shareholders, the Committee shall have the authority to specify, at the
  time of grant or, with respect to Non-Qualified Stock Options, at or after
  the time of grant, that a Participant shall be granted a Non-Qualified
  Stock Option (a "Reload Option") in the event such Participant exercises
  all or a part of an Option (an "Original Option") by surrendering in
  accordance with Section 6.03(d) of the Plan already owned Shares in full or
  partial payment of the purchase price under the Original Option, subject to
  the availability of Shares under the Plan at the time of such exercise, and
  subject to the limits provided for in Section 4.02; provided, however, that
  no Reload Option shall be granted to a Non-Employee Trustee. Each Reload
  Option shall cover a number of Shares equal to the number of Shares
  surrendered in payment of the purchase price under such Original Option,
  shall have a purchase price per Share equal to the Fair Market Value of a
  Share on the Date of Grant of such Reload Option and shall expire on the
  stated expiration date of the Original Option. A Reload Option shall be
  exercisable at any time and from time to time after the Date of Grant of
  such Reload Option (or, as the Committee in its sole discretion shall
  determine at or after the time of grant, at such time or times as shall be
  specified in the Reload Option); provided, however, that a Reload Option
  granted to a Participant subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act shall
  not be exercisable during the first six months from the Date of Grant of
  such Reload Option. Any Reload Option may provide for the grant, when
  exercised, of subsequent Reload Options to the extent and upon such terms
  and conditions, consistent with this Section 6.03(f), as the Committee in
  its sole discretion shall specify at or after the time of grant of such
  Reload Option. A Reload Option shall contain such other terms and
  conditions, which may include a restriction on the transferability of the
  Shares received upon exercise of the Original Option representing at
 
                                      A-9
<PAGE>
 
  least the after-tax profit received upon exercise of the Original Option,
  as the Committee in its sole discretion shall deem desirable and which may
  be set forth in rules or guidelines adopted by the Committee or in the
  Award Agreements evidencing the Reload Options.
 
    (g) Effect of Change in Control. In the event of a Change in Control, all
  Options outstanding on the date of such Change in Control shall become
  immediately and fully exercisable. In addition, in the sole discretion of
  the Committee at the time of an Award, and to the extent set forth in an
  Award Agreement evidencing the grant of an Option, an Optionee will be
  permitted to surrender to the Trust for cancellation within sixty (60) days
  after such Change in Control any Option or portion of an Option to the
  extent not yet exercised and the Optionee will be entitled to receive a
  cash payment in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (x) (A) in the
  case of a Non-Qualified Stock Option, the greater of (1) the Fair Market
  Value, on the date preceding the date of surrender, of the Shares subject
  to the Option or portion thereof surrendered or (2) the Adjusted Fair
  Market Value of the Shares subject to the Option or portion thereof
  surrendered, or (B) in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Fair
  Market Value, on the date preceding the date of surrender, of the Shares
  subject to the Option or portion thereof surrendered over (y) the aggregate
  purchase price for such Shares under the Option or portion thereof
  surrendered.
 
    (h) Exercise of Options Upon Termination of Employment.
 
      (i) Exercise of Vested Options Upon Termination of Employment.
 
        (A) Termination. Subject to Section 6.03(b), unless the Committee,
      in its sole discretion, provides otherwise, upon a Participant's
      Termination of Employment other than by reason of death, Disability
      or retirement on or after the Participant's Normal Retirement Date
      or following a Change in Control, the Participant may, within three
      months from the date of such Termination of Employment, or such
      longer period as the Committee, in its sole discretion, provides,
      exercise all or any part of his Options as were exercisable at the
      date of Termination of Employment; provided, however, that if such
      Termination of Employment is for Cause, the right of such
      Participant to exercise such Options shall terminate at the date of
      Termination of Employment.
 
        (B) Disability or Retirement. Subject to Section 6.03(b), unless
      the Committee, in its sole discretion, provides otherwise, upon a
      Participant's Disability Date or Termination of Employment by reason
      of retirement on or after the Participant's Normal Retirement Date,
      the Participant may, within two years after such Disability Date or
      Termination of Employment, as the case may be, exercise all or a
      part of his Options which were exercisable upon such Disability Date
      or Termination of Employment (or which became exercisable at a later
      date pursuant to Section 6.03(h)(ii)).
 
        (C) Death. Subject to Section 6.03(b), unless the Committee, in
      its sole discretion, provides otherwise, in the event of the death
      of a Participant while employed by the Trust or within the
      additional period of time described in Section 6.03(h)(i)(B) from
      the date of the Participant's Disability Date or Termination of
      Employment by reason of retirement on or after the Participant's
      Normal Retirement Date to the extent all or any part of the Option
      was exercisable as of the Disability Date or the date of such
      Termination of Employment and did not expire during such additional
      period and prior to the Participant's death, the right of the
      Participant's Beneficiary to exercise the Option under the Plan
      shall expire upon the expiration of two years from the date of the
      Participant's death (but in no event more than two years from the
      Participant's Disability Date or the date of the Participant's
      Termination of Employment, as the case may be) or on the date of
      expiration of the Option determined pursuant to Section 6.03(b),
      whichever is earlier. In all other cases of death following a
      Participant's Termination of Employment, the Participant's
      Beneficiary may exercise the Option within the time provided in
      6.03(h)(i)(A), above. In the event of the Participant's death, the
      Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the right to
      exercise all or any part of an Option which would not otherwise be
      exercisable.
 
 
                                     A-10
<PAGE>
 
        (D) Change in Control. Subject to Section 6.03(b), upon an
      Optionee's Termination of Employment following a Change in Control,
      each Option held by the Optionee that was exercisable as of the date
      of such Termination of Employment shall remain exercisable for a
      period not ending before the earlier of (A) the first anniversary of
      the termination of the Optionee's employment or (B) the expiration
      of the stated term of the Option.
 
      (ii) Termination of Unvested Options Upon Termination of
    Employment. Subject to Section 6.03(b), to the extent all or any part
    of an Option was not exercisable as of the date of Termination of
    Employment, the right to exercise such Option shall expire at the date
    of such Termination of Employment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and
    subject to Section 6.03(b), the Committee, in its sole discretion and
    under such terms as it deems appropriate, may permit a Participant who
    terminates employment on or after the Participant's Normal Retirement
    Date or Other Retirement Date and who will continue to render
    significant services to the Trust after his Termination of Employment,
    to continue to accrue service with respect to the right to exercise his
    Options during the period in which the individual continues to render
    such services.
 
  6.04 STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.
 
    (a) Stock Appreciation Right Awards. The Committee may, in its sole
  discretion, either alone or in connection with the grant of an Option,
  grant Stock Appreciation Rights in accordance with the Plan, the terms and
  conditions of which shall be set forth in an Award Agreement. If granted in
  connection with an Option, a Stock Appreciation Right shall cover the same
  Shares covered by the Option (or such lesser number of Shares as the
  Committee may determine) and shall, except as provided in this Section
  6.04, be subject to the same terms and conditions as the related Option.
 
    (b) Time of Grant. A Stock Appreciation Right may be granted (i) at any
  time if unrelated to an Option, or (ii) if related to an Option, either at
  the time of grant, or at any time thereafter during the term of the Option.
 
    (c) Stock Appreciation Right Related to an Option.
 
      (i) Exercise. Subject to Section 6.04(h), a Stock Appreciation Right
    granted in connection with an Option shall be exercisable at such time
    or times and only to the extent that the related Options are
    exercisable, and will not be transferable except to the extent the
    related Option may be transferable. A Stock Appreciation Right granted
    in connection with an Incentive Stock Option shall be exercisable only
    if the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise exceeds the
    purchase price specified in the related Incentive Stock Option
    Agreement.
 
      (ii) Amount Payable. Upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right
    related to an Option, the holder shall be entitled to receive an amount
    determined by multiplying (A) the excess of the Fair Market Value of a
    Share on the date preceding the date of exercise of such Stock
    Appreciation Right over the per Share purchase price under the related
    Option, by (B) the number of Shares as to which such Stock Appreciation
    Right is being exercised. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee
    may limit in any manner the amount payable with respect to any Stock
    Appreciation Right by including, without limitation, such a limit in
    the Agreement evidencing the Stock Appreciation Right at the time it is
    granted.
 
      (iii) Treatment of Related Options and Stock Appreciation Rights Upon
    Exercise. Upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right granted in
    connection with an Option, the Option shall be canceled to the extent
    of the number of Shares as to which the Stock Appreciation Right is
    exercised, and upon the exercise of an Option granted in connection
    with a Stock Appreciation Right, the Stock Appreciation Right shall be
    canceled to the extent of the number of Shares as to which the Option
    is exercised or surrendered.
 
    (d) Stock Appreciation Right Unrelated to an Option. Stock Appreciation
  Rights unrelated to Options shall contain such terms and conditions as to
  exercisability (subject to Section 6.04(h)), vesting and duration as the
  Committee shall determine, but in no event shall they have a term of
  greater than ten (10)
 
                                     A-11
<PAGE>
 
  years. Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right unrelated to an Option,
  the Participant shall be entitled to receive an amount determined by
  multiplying (A) the excess of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date
  preceding the date of exercise of such Stock Appreciation Right over the
  Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the Stock Appreciation Right was
  granted, by (B) the number of Shares as to which the Stock Appreciation
  Right is being exercised. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may
  limit in any manner the amount payable with respect to any Stock
  Appreciation Right by including such a limit in the Agreement evidencing
  the Stock Appreciation Right at the time it is granted.
 
    (e) Method of Exercise. Stock Appreciation Rights shall be exercised by a
  Participant only by a written notice delivered in person or by mail to the
  Secretary of the Trust at the Trust's principal executive office,
  specifying the number of Shares with respect to which the Stock
  Appreciation Right is being exercised. If requested by the Trust, the
  Participant shall deliver the Award Agreement evidencing the Stock
  Appreciation Right being exercised and the Award Agreement evidencing any
  related Option to the Secretary of the Trust who shall endorse thereon a
  notation of such exercise and return such Agreement to the Participant.
 
    (f) Form of Payment. Payment of the amount determined under Sections
  6.04(c) and (d) may be made in the sole discretion of the Committee solely
  in whole Shares in a number determined at their Fair Market Value on the
  date preceding the date of exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right, or
  solely in cash, or in a combination of cash and Shares. If the Committee
  decides to make full payment in Shares and the amount payable results in a
  fractional Share, payment for the fractional Share will be made in cash.
 
    (g) Modification. No modification of an Award shall adversely alter or
  impair any rights or obligations under the Award Agreement without the
  Participant's consent.
 
    (h) Effect of Change in Control. In the event of a Change in Control, all
  Stock Appreciation Rights shall become immediately and fully exercisable.
  In addition, in the sole discretion of the Committee at the time of an
  Award, and to the extent set forth in an Award Agreement evidencing the
  grant of a Stock Appreciation Right (but not with respect to any Stock
  Appreciation Right granted in connection with an Incentive Stock Option), a
  Participant will be entitled to receive a payment from the Trust in cash or
  Shares, in either case, with a value equal to the excess, if any, of (A)
  the Adjusted Fair Market Value, on the date preceding the date of exercise,
  of the Shares over (B) the aggregate Fair Market Value, on the date the
  Stock Appreciation was granted, of the Shares subject to the Stock
  Appreciation Right or portion thereof exercised.
 
    (i) Exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights Upon Termination of Employment.
 
      (i) Exercise of Vested Stock Appreciation Rights Upon Termination of
    Employment.
 
        (A) Termination. Subject to Section 6.04(c) or (d), as the case
      may be, unless the Committee, in its sole discretion, provides
      otherwise, upon a Participant's Termination of Employment other than
      by reason of death, Disability or retirement on or after the
      Participant's Normal Retirement Date or following a Change in
      Control, the Participant may, within three months from the date of
      such Termination of Employment, or such longer period as the
      Committee, in its sole discretion, provides, exercise all or any
      part of his Stock Appreciation Rights as were exercisable at the
      date of Termination of Employment; provided, however, that if such
      Termination of Employment is for Cause, the right of such
      Participant to exercise such Stock Appreciation Rights shall
      terminate at the date of Termination of Employment.
 
        (B) Disability or Retirement. Subject to Section 6.04(c) or (d),
      as the case may be, unless the Committee, in its sole discretion,
      provides otherwise, upon a Participant's Disability Date or
      Termination of Employment by reason of retirement on or after the
      Participant's Normal Retirement Date, the Participant may, within
      two years after such Disability Date or Termination of Employment,
      as the case may be, exercise all or a part of his Stock Appreciation
      Rights which were exercisable upon such Disability Date or
      Termination of Employment (or which became exercisable at a later
      date pursuant to Section 6.04(i)(ii)).
 
 
                                     A-12
<PAGE>
 
        (C) Death. Subject to Section 6.04(c) or (d), as the case may be,
      unless the Committee, in its sole discretion, provides otherwise, in
      the event of the death of a Participant while employed by the Trust
      or within the additional period of time described in Section
      6.04(i)(i)(B) from the date of the Participant's Disability Date or
      Termination of Employment by reason of retirement on or after the
      Participant's Normal Retirement Date to the extent all or any part
      of the Stock Appreciation Right was exercisable as of the Disability
      Date or the date of such Termination of Employment did not expire
      during such additional period and prior to the Participant's death,
      the right of the Participant's Beneficiary to exercise the Stock
      Appreciation Right under the Plan shall expire upon the earlier of
      (x) the expiration of two years from the date of the Participant's
      death (but in no event more than two years from the Participant's
      Disability Date or the date of the Participant's Termination of
      Employment, as the case may be) or (y) the date of expiration of the
      Stock Appreciation Right determined pursuant to Section 6.04(c) or
      (d), as the case may be. In all other cases of death following a
      Participant's Termination of Employment, the Participant's
      Beneficiary may exercise the Stock Appreciation Right within the
      time provided in 6.04(i)(i)(A), above. In the event of the
      Participant's death, the Committee may, in its sole discretion,
      accelerate the right to exercise all or any part of a Stock
      Appreciation Right which would not otherwise be exercisable.
 
        (D) Change in Control. Subject to Section 6.04(c) or (d), as the
      case may be, upon a Participant's Termination of Employment
      following a Change in Control, each Stock Appreciation Right held by
      the Participant that was exercisable as of the date of such
      Termination of Employment shall remain exercisable for a period not
      ending before the earlier of (A) the first anniversary of the
      termination of the Participant's employment or (B) the expiration of
      the stated term of the Stock Appreciation Right.
 
      (ii) Termination of Unvested Stock Appreciation Rights Upon
    Termination of Employment. Subject to Section 6.04(c) or (d), as the
    case may be, to the extent all or any part of a Stock Appreciation
    Right was not exercisable as of the date of Termination of Employment,
    the right to exercise such Stock Appreciation Right shall expire at the
    date of such Termination of Employment. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
    and subject to Section 6.04(c) or (d), as the case may be, the
    Committee, in its sole discretion and under such terms as it deems
    appropriate, may permit a Participant who terminates employment on or
    after the Participant's Normal Retirement Date or Other Retirement Date
    and who will continue to render significant services to the Trust after
    his Termination of Employment, to continue to accrue service with
    respect to the right to exercise his Stock Appreciation Rights during
    the period in which the individual continues to render such services.
 
  6.05 DIVIDEND EQUIVALENT RIGHTS. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may
grant to Participants Dividend Equivalent Rights in tandem with an Award. The
terms and conditions applicable to each Dividend Equivalent Right shall be
specified in the Award Agreement under which the Dividend Equivalent Right is
granted. Amounts payable in respect of Dividend Equivalent Rights may be
payable currently or deferred until the lapsing of restrictions on such
Dividend Equivalent Rights or until the vesting, exercise, payment, settlement
or other lapse of restrictions on the Award to which the Dividend Equivalent
Rights relate. In the event that the amount payable in respect of Dividend
Equivalent Rights are to be deferred, the Committee shall determine whether
such amounts are to be held in cash or reinvested in Shares or deemed
(notionally) to be reinvested in Shares. If amounts payable in respect of
Dividend Equivalent Rights are to be held in cash, there may be credited at
the end of each year (or portion thereof) interest on the amount of the
account at the beginning of the year at a rate per annum as the Committee, in
its sole discretion, may determine. Dividend Equivalent Rights may be settled
in cash or Shares or a combination thereof, in a single installment or
multiple installments. With respect to Dividend Equivalent Rights granted in
tandem with an Option, the Award Agreement may provide that the Participant
may elect to have amounts payable in respect of such Dividend Equivalent
Rights applied against the exercise price of such Option. To the extent
necessary for any Dividend Equivalent Right intended to qualify as
performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code to so qualify,
the terms and conditions of the Dividend Equivalent Right shall be such that
payment of the Dividend Equivalent Right is contingent upon
 
                                     A-13
<PAGE>
 
the attainment of specified Performance Targets within the Award Period, as
provided for in Article VIII, and such Dividend Equivalent Right shall be
treated as a Performance Award for purposes of Section 11.13(b).
 
ARTICLE VII. RESTRICTED SHARES
 
  7.01 RESTRICTED SHARE AWARDS. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may
grant to Participants Restricted Shares, either alone or in addition to other
Awards. The Committee may grant to any Participant an Award of Restricted
Shares in such number, and subject to such terms and conditions relating to
forfeitability and restrictions on delivery and transfer (whether based on
performance standards, periods of service or otherwise) as the Committee shall
establish. The terms of any Restricted Share Award granted under this Plan
shall be set forth in an Award Agreement which shall contain provisions
determined by the Committee and not inconsistent with this Plan. The
provisions of Restricted Share Awards need not be the same for each
Participant receiving such Awards.
 
    (a) Issuance of Restricted Shares. As soon as practicable after the Date
  of Grant of a Restricted Share Award, the Trust shall cause to be
  transferred on the books of the Trust Shares, registered on behalf of the
  Participant in nominee form, evidencing the Restricted Shares covered by
  the Award, but subject to forfeiture to the Trust retroactive to the Date
  of Grant if an Award Agreement delivered to the Participant by the Trust
  with respect to the Restricted Shares covered by the Award is not duly
  executed by the Participant and timely returned to the Trust. All Shares
  covered by Awards under this Article VII shall be subject to the
  restrictions, terms and conditions contained in the Plan and the Award
  Agreement entered into by and between the Trust and the Participant. Until
  the lapse or release of all restrictions applicable to an Award of
  Restricted Shares, the stock certificates representing such Restricted
  Shares shall be held in custody by the Trust or its designee. Upon the
  lapse or release of all restrictions with respect to an Award as described
  in Section 7.01(e), one or more stock certificates, registered in the name
  of the Participant, for an appropriate number of Shares as provided in
  Section 7.01(e), free of any restrictions set forth in the Plan and the
  Award Agreement, shall be delivered to the Participant.
 
    (b) Shareholder Rights. Beginning on the Date of Grant of the Restricted
  Share Award and subject to execution of the Award Agreement as provided in
  Section 7.01(a), the Participant shall become a shareholder of the Trust
  with respect to all Shares subject to the Award Agreement and shall have
  all of the rights of a shareholder, subject to the provisions of Section
  7.01(c).
 
    (c) Treatment of Dividends. At the time an Award of Restricted Shares is
  granted, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, determine that the
  payment to the Participant of dividends, or a specified portion thereof,
  declared or paid on such Restricted Shares shall be (i) deferred until the
  lapsing of the restrictions imposed upon such Restricted Shares and (ii)
  held by the Trust for the account of the Participant until such time. In
  the event that dividends are to be deferred, the Committee shall determine
  whether such dividends are to be reinvested in Shares (which shall be held
  as Restricted Shares) or held in cash. If deferred dividends are to be held
  in cash, there may be credited at the end of each year (or portion thereof)
  interest on the amount of the account at the beginning of the year at a
  rate per annum as the Committee, in its sole discretion, may determine.
  Payment of deferred dividends in respect of Restricted Shares (whether held
  in cash or as additional Shares of Restricted Shares), together with
  interest accrued thereon, if any, shall be made upon the lapsing of
  restrictions imposed on the Restricted Shares in respect of which the
  deferred dividends were paid, and any dividends deferred (together with any
  interest accrued thereon) in respect of any Restricted Shares shall be
  forfeited upon the forfeiture of such Restricted Shares.
 
    (d) No Pledge. None of the Restricted Shares may be pledged.
 
    (e) Delivery of Shares Upon Release of Restrictions. Upon expiration or
  earlier termination of the forfeiture period without a forfeiture and the
  satisfaction of or release from any other conditions prescribed by the
  Committee, the restrictions applicable to the Restricted Shares shall
  lapse. As promptly as administratively feasible thereafter, subject to the
  requirements of Section 11.06, the Trust shall deliver to the Participant
  or, in case of the Participant's death, to the Participant's Beneficiary,
  one or more stock certificates for the appropriate number of Shares, free
  of all such restrictions, except for any restrictions that may be imposed
  by law.
 
                                     A-14
<PAGE>
 
    (f) Effect of Change in Control. Unless the Committee shall determine
  otherwise at the time of grant of an Award of Restricted Shares, any
  restriction periods and restrictions imposed on Restricted Shares under the
  Plan shall lapse upon a Change in Control and within ten (10) Business Days
  the stock certificates representing Restricted Shares, without any such
  restrictions, shall be delivered to the applicable Participant.
 
  7.02 TERMS OF RESTRICTED SHARES.
 
    (a) Forfeiture of Restricted Shares. Subject to Sections 7.01(f) and
  7.02(b), all Restricted Shares shall be forfeited and returned to the Trust
  and all rights of the Participant with respect to such Restricted Shares
  shall terminate unless the Participant continues in the service of the
  Trust as an employee until the expiration of the forfeiture period for such
  Restricted Shares and satisfies any and all other conditions set forth in
  the Award Agreement. The Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine
  the forfeiture period (which may, but need not, lapse in installments) and
  any other terms and conditions applicable with respect to any Restricted
  Share Award.
 
    (b) Waiver of Forfeiture Period. Notwithstanding anything contained in
  this Article VII to the contrary, the Committee may, in its sole
  discretion, waive the forfeiture period and any other conditions set forth
  in any Award Agreement under appropriate circumstances (including, without
  limitation, the death, Disability or retirement of the Participant or a
  material change in circumstances arising after the date of an Award) and
  subject to such terms and conditions (including, without limitation,
  forfeiture of a proportionate number of the Restricted Shares) as the
  Committee shall deem appropriate, provided that the Participant shall at
  that time have completed at least one year of employment after the Date of
  Grant.
 
ARTICLE VIII. PERFORMANCE AWARDS
 
  8.01 PERFORMANCE TARGETS.
 
    (a) Performance Targets. Performance Targets for Performance Awards may
  be expressed in terms of (i) earnings per Share, (ii) Share price, (iii)
  funds from operations, (iv) pre-tax profits, (v) net earnings, (vi) return
  on equity or assets, (vii) gross revenues, (viii) EBITDA, (ix) dividends,
  (x) market share or market penetration or (xi) any combination of the
  foregoing, and may be determined before or after accounting changes,
  special charges, foreign currency effects, acquisitions, divestitures or
  other extraordinary events. Performance Targets may be in respect of the
  performance of the Trust and its Subsidiaries (which may be on a
  consolidated basis), a Subsidiary or a Division. Performance Targets may be
  absolute or relative and may be expressed in terms of a progression within
  a specified range. The Performance Targets with respect to an Award Period
  shall be established in writing by the Committee by the earlier of (i) the
  date on which a quarter of the Award Period has elapsed or (ii) the date
  which is ninety (90) days after the commencement of the Award Period, and,
  in any event while the performance relating to the Performance Targets
  remain, substantially uncertain.
 
    (b) Determination of Performance. Prior to the vesting, payment,
  settlement or lapsing of any restrictions with respect to any Performance
  Award made to a Participant who is subject to Section 162(m) of the Code,
  the Committee shall certify in writing that the applicable Performance
  Targets have been satisfied.
 
  8.02 PERFORMANCE UNITS. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may grant
Awards of Performance Units to Participants, the terms and conditions of which
shall be set forth in an Award Agreement between the Trust and the
Participant. Performance Units shall be denominated in Shares or a specified
dollar amount and, contingent upon the attainment of specified Performance
Targets within the Award Period, represent the right to receive payment as
provided in Section 8.02(b) of the specified dollar amount or a percentage
(which may not be more than 100%) thereof depending on the level of
Performance Target attainment. Each Award Agreement shall specify the number
of Performance Units to which it relates, the Performance Targets which must
be satisfied in order for the Performance Units to vest and the Award Period
within which such Performance Targets must be satisfied.
 
 
                                     A-15
<PAGE>
 
    (a) Vesting and Forfeiture. Subject to Sections 8.01(b) and 8.04, a
  Participant shall become vested with respect to the Performance Units to
  the extent that the Performance Targets set forth in the Agreement are
  satisfied for the Award Period.
 
    (b) Payment of Awards. Payment to Participants in respect of vested
  Performance Units shall be made as soon as practicable after the last day
  of the Award Period to which such Award relates unless the Award Agreement
  evidencing the Award provides for the deferral of payment, in which event
  the terms and conditions of the deferral shall be set forth in the Award
  Agreement. Subject to Section 8.04, such payments may be made entirely in
  Shares valued at their Fair Market Value as of the last day of the
  applicable Award Period or such other date specified by the Committee,
  entirely in cash, or in such combination of Shares and cash as the
  Committee in its sole discretion shall determine at any time prior to such
  payment.
 
  8.03 PERFORMANCE SHARES. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may grant
Awards of Performance Shares to Participants, the terms and conditions of
which shall be set forth in an Agreement between the Trust and the
Participant. Each Award Agreement may require that an appropriate legend be
placed on Share certificates. Awards of Performance Shares shall be subject to
the following terms and provisions:
 
    (a) Rights of Participant. The Committee shall provide at the time an
  Award of Performance Shares is made the time or times at which the actual
  Shares represented by such Award shall be issued in the name of the
  Participant; provided, however, that no Performance Shares shall be issued
  until the Participant has executed an Award Agreement evidencing the Award,
  the appropriate blank stock powers and, in the sole discretion of the
  Committee, an escrow agreement and any other documents which the Committee
  may require as a condition to the issuance of such Performance Shares. If a
  Participant shall fail to execute the Award Agreement evidencing an Award
  of Performance Shares, the appropriate blank stock powers and, in the sole
  discretion of the Committee, an escrow agreement and any other documents
  which the Committee may require within the time period prescribed by the
  Committee at the time the Award is granted, the Award shall be null and
  void. At the sole discretion of the Committee, Shares issued in connection
  with an Award of Performance Shares shall be deposited together with the
  stock powers with an escrow agent (which may be the Trust) designated by
  the Committee. Except as restricted by the terms of the Award Agreement,
  and subject to Section 8.03(d), upon delivery of the Shares to the escrow
  agent, the Participant shall have, in the sole discretion of the Committee,
  all of the rights of a shareholder with respect to such Shares, including,
  without limitation, the right to vote the Shares and to receive all
  dividends or other distributions paid or made with respect to the Shares.
 
    (b) Non-transferability. Subject to Section 11.04, until any restrictions
  upon the Performance Shares awarded to a Participant shall have lapsed in
  the manner set forth in Sections 8.03(c) or 8.04, such Performance Shares
  shall not be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of and shall not be
  pledged or otherwise hypothecated, nor shall they be delivered to the
  Participant. The Committee may also impose such other restrictions and
  conditions on the Performance Shares, if any, as it deems appropriate.
 
    (c) Lapse of Restrictions. Subject to Sections 8.01(b) and 8.04,
  restrictions upon Performance Shares awarded hereunder shall lapse and such
  Performance Shares shall become vested at such time or times and on such
  terms, conditions and satisfaction of Performance Targets as the Committee
  may, in its sole discretion, determine at the time an Award is granted.
 
    (d) Treatment of Dividends. At the time the Award of Performance Shares
  is granted, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, determine that the
  payment to the Participant of dividends, or a specified portion thereof,
  declared or paid on actual Shares represented by such Award which have been
  issued by the Trust to the Participant shall be (i) deferred until the
  lapsing of the restrictions imposed upon such Performance Shares and (ii)
  held by the Trust for the account of the Participant until such time. In
  the event that dividends are to be deferred, the Committee shall determine
  whether such dividends are to be reinvested in Shares (which shall be held
  as additional Performance Shares) or held in cash. If deferred dividends
  are to be held in cash, there may be credited at the end of each year (or
  portion thereof) interest on the amount of the account at the beginning of
  the year at a rate per annum as the Committee, in its sole discretion, may
 
                                     A-16
<PAGE>
 
  determine. Payment of deferred dividends in respect of Performance Shares
  (whether held in cash or in additional Performance Shares), together with
  interest accrued thereon, if any, shall be made upon the lapsing of
  restrictions imposed on the Performance Shares in respect of which the
  deferred dividends were paid, and any dividends deferred (together with any
  interest accrued thereon) in respect of any Performance Shares shall be
  forfeited upon the forfeiture of such Performance Shares.
 
    (e) Delivery of Shares. Upon the lapse of the restrictions on Performance
  Shares awarded, the Committee shall cause a stock certificate to be
  delivered to the Participant, free of all restrictions hereunder.
 
  8.04 EFFECT OF CHANGE IN CONTROL. In the event of a Change in Control:
 
    (a) With respect to Performance Units, unless otherwise determined by the
  Committee, the Participant shall (i) become vested in all Performance Units
  and (ii) be entitled to receive in respect of all Performance Units which
  become vested as a result of a Change in Control a cash payment within ten
  (10) Business Days after such Change in Control in an amount as determined
  by the Committee at the time of the Award of such Performance Unit and as
  set forth in the Award Agreement.
 
    (b) With respect to Performance Shares, unless otherwise determined by
  the Committee, restrictions shall lapse immediately on all Performance
  Shares.
 
    (c) The Award Agreements evidencing Performance Shares and Performance
  Units shall provide for the treatment of such Awards (or portions thereof)
  which do not become vested as the result of a Change in Control, including,
  without limitation, provisions for the adjustment of applicable Performance
  Targets.
 
  8.05 TERMINATION. Except as provided in Section 8.04, and unless otherwise
provided by the Committee, in its sole discretion, in the Award Agreement, the
following provisions shall apply to Performance Awards:
 
    (a) Termination of Employment. Unless otherwise provided below, in the
  case of a Participant's Termination of Employment prior to the end of an
  Award Period, the Participant will not be entitled to any Performance
  Awards, and any Performance Shares shall be forfeited.
 
    (b) Disability, Death or Retirement. Unless otherwise provided by the
  Committee, in its sole discretion, in the Award Agreement, if a
  Participant's Disability Date or Termination of Employment by reason of
  death or retirement on or after the Normal Retirement Date or Other
  Retirement Date occurs following at least twelve months of participation in
  any Award Period, but prior to the end of an Award Period, the Participant
  or such Participant's Beneficiary, as the case may be, shall be entitled to
  receive a pro-rata share of his Performance Award as determined under
  Subsection (c).
 
    (c) Pro-Rata Payment.
 
      (i) Performance Units. With respect to Performance Units, the amount
    of any payment made to a Participant (or Beneficiary) under
    circumstances described in Section 8.05(b) will be the amount
    determined by multiplying the amount of the Performance Units payable
    in Shares or dollars which would have been earned, determined at the
    end of the Award Period, had such employment not been terminated, by a
    fraction, the numerator of which is the number of whole months such
    Participant was employed during the Award Period, and the denominator
    of which is the total number of months of the Award Period. Any such
    payment shall be made as soon as practicable after the end of the
    respective Award Period, and shall relate to attainment of Performance
    Targets over the entire Award Period.
 
      (ii) Performance Shares. With respect to Performance Shares, the
    amount of Performance Shares held by a Participant (or Beneficiary)
    with respect to which restrictions shall lapse under circumstances
    described in Section 8.05 (b) will be the amount determined by
    multiplying the amount of the Performance Shares with respect to which
    restrictions would have lapsed, determined at the end of the Award
    Period, had such employment not been terminated, by a fraction, the
    numerator of which is the number of whole months such Participant was
    employed during the Award Period, and the denominator of which is the
    total number of months of the Award Period. The Committee shall
    determine the amount of Performance Shares with respect to which
    restrictions shall lapse under this
 
                                     A-17
<PAGE>
 
    Section 8.05(c)(ii) as soon as practicable after the end of the
    respective Award Period, and such determination shall relate to
    attainment of Performance Targets over the entire Award Period. At that
    time, all Performance Shares relating to that Award Period with respect
    to which restrictions shall not lapse shall be forfeited.
 
    (d) Other Events. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
  Article VIII, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, determine to pay
  all or any portion of a Performance Award to a Participant who has
  terminated employment prior to the end of an Award Period under certain
  circumstances (including, without limitation, a material change in
  circumstances arising after the Date of Grant) and subject to such terms
  and conditions that the Participant shall have completed, at his
  Termination of Employment, at least one year of employment after the Date
  of Grant.
 
  8.06 MODIFICATION OR SUBSTITUTION. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the
Committee may modify outstanding Performance Awards or accept the surrender of
outstanding Performance Awards and grant new Performance Awards in
substitution for them. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no modification of a
Performance Award shall adversely alter or impair any rights or obligations
under the Agreement without the Participant's consent.
 
ARTICLE IX. STOCK PURCHASE AWARDS
 
  9.01 GRANT OF STOCK PURCHASE AWARD. The Committee, in its sole discretion,
may grant Stock Purchase Awards to Participants either alone or in addition to
other Awards granted under the Plan. A Stock Purchase Award shall consist of
the right to purchase Shares of the Trust and to pay for such Shares either in
cash or through a Purchase Loan or a combination of both, in the Committee's
sole discretion. A Participant shall have until 5:00 P.M. on the twentieth
(20th) Business Day following his Offer Date to accept a Stock Purchase Award
and sign an Award Agreement relating to the Stock Purchase Award.
 
  9.02 TERMS OF PURCHASE LOANS AND TAX LOANS.
 
    (a) Purchase Loan. The Trust shall provide to each Participant who
  accepts a Stock Purchase Award a Purchase Loan in the principal amount
  equal to the portion of the Stock Purchase Price designated by the
  Committee as not payable in cash. Each Purchase Loan shall be evidenced by
  a promissory note. The term of the Purchase Loan shall be such period of
  time as may be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, but,
  payable in full upon Termination of Employment subject to the terms of this
  Article IX, and the proceeds of the Purchase Loan shall be used exclusively
  by the Participant for payment of the Stock Purchase Price.
 
      (i) Interest on Purchase Loan. From the Acceptance Date until the
    Participant's Purchase Loan is forgiven, paid in full or otherwise
    satisfied in full, Interest on the outstanding balance of the Purchase
    Loan shall accrue and be payable quarterly in arrears on each date of
    payment of a cash dividend on the Shares purchased by the Participant
    pursuant to a Stock Purchase Award. If no quarterly cash dividend is
    paid on the Shares for a quarter, Interest shall accrue (without any
    interest thereon) on the last day of the quarter, and shall be
    satisfied from future cash dividends paid on such Shares as provided
    for in Section 9.03(b) hereof. Any accrued but unpaid Interest on a
    Purchase Loan shall be due on the last day of the Purchase Loan Term.
 
      (ii) Forgiveness of Purchase Loan. Subject to Section 9.02(a)(iii),
    the Committee shall have the right, in its sole discretion, at the
    Offer Date, to determine (i) the extent to which the Trust shall
    forgive the repayment of all or a portion of a Purchase Loan and (ii)
    the terms of such forgiveness. To the extent necessary for the
    forgiveness of a Purchase Loan intended to qualify as performance-based
    compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code to so qualify, the terms
    and conditions of the Purchase Loan shall be such that forgiveness of
    the Purchase Loan is contingent upon the attainment of specified
    Performance Targets within the Award Period, as provided for in Article
    VIII, and such Purchase Loan shall be treated as a Performance Award
    for purposes of Section 11.13(b).
 
 
                                     A-18
<PAGE>
 
      (iii) Effect a Change in Control. In the event of a Change in
    Control, the outstanding balance and Interest due on any Purchase Loan
    will be completely forgiven as of the date of such Change in Control.
 
    (b) Tax Loan. In order to provide a Participant cash to fulfill federal,
  state and local tax obligations arising as a result of the forgiveness of a
  Purchase Loan, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, offer a Tax Loan
  to a Participant subject to such terms as the Committee, in its sole
  discretion, determines. The Tax Loan shall be prepayable, in whole or in
  part, at any time and from time to time, without penalty.
 
      (i) Interest on Tax Loan. Each Tax Loan shall bear Interest at a rate
    identical to the rate of Interest charged on the Participant's Purchase
    Loan and shall be evidenced by a promissory note. Interest on each Tax
    Loan, or any balance thereof, shall accrue and be payable quarterly in
    arrears on the same date and in the same manner as Interest on a
    Purchase Loan, as provided in Sections 9.02(a)(i) and 9.03(b) of the
    Plan, until such Tax Loan is paid in full.
 
  9.03 SECURITY FOR LOANS.
 
    (a) Stock Power. Purchase Loans and Tax Loans granted to Participants
  shall be secured by a pledge of the Shares acquired with a Purchase Loan
  pursuant to a Stock Purchase Award. Except as the Committee may otherwise
  determine, such loans shall be fully recourse with respect to a
  Participant. The stock certificates for the Shares purchased by a
  Participant under the Plan shall be issued in the Participant's name, but
  shall be held as security for repayment of the Participant's Purchase Loan
  and/or any Tax Loan by the Chief Financial Officer of the Trust (or for a
  Stock Purchase Award made to the Chief Financial Officer, by the Chief
  Executive Officer) together with a stock power executed in blank by the
  Participant (the execution and delivery of which by the Participant shall
  be a condition to the issuance of the Stock Purchase Award). During the
  Purchase Loan Term, the Participant shall be entitled to exercise all
  rights applicable to such Shares, including, without limitation, the right
  to vote such Shares and, subject to Section 9.03(b), the right to receive
  dividends paid on such Shares. When the Purchase Loan and any accrued but
  unpaid Interest thereon has been repaid or otherwise satisfied in full, the
  Chief Financial Officer (or Chief Executive Officer, as the case may be)
  shall deliver to the Participant the stock certificates for the Shares
  purchased by a Participant under the Plan, other than the Shares, if any,
  retained as collateral for the Tax Loan under Section 9.03(c), provided the
  Participant executes and delivers to the Chief Financial Officer (or Chief
  Executive Officer, as the case may be) a substitute stock power for any
  stock certificates representing the portion of the Stock Purchase Award
  retained by the Trust to secure repayment of any Tax Loan and any accrued
  but unpaid Interest thereon, as provided for in Section 9.03(c) of this
  Plan.
 
    (b) Assignment of Dividends. To secure repayment of his Purchase Loan,
  Tax Loan and Interest, each Participant shall also execute an assignment to
  the Trust of all cash dividends paid on the Shares purchased by the
  Participant with a Purchase Loan pursuant to a Stock Purchase Award. The
  Trust shall deduct from each cash dividend paid by the Trust on such Shares
  an amount equal to the Interest due to the Trust for that quarter on the
  Participant's Purchase Loan, and Tax Loan, if any, and shall also deduct
  accrued but unpaid Interest on the Purchase and Tax Loan, such deductions
  to be made in the following order: (i) first to satisfy the Interest due on
  the Purchase Loan for that quarter, (ii) second to satisfy the Interest due
  on the Tax Loan for that quarter, (iii) third to satisfy any accrued but
  unpaid Interest on the Purchase Loan, and (iv) fourth to satisfy any
  accrued but unpaid Interest on the Tax Loan. To the extent that the cash
  dividend exceeds the total of the foregoing subsections (i) through (iv),
  the Trust shall distribute the remainder of the dividend to the
  Participant. In the event the Interest due on the Participant's Purchase
  Loan and Tax Loan is greater than the cash dividend paid that quarter on
  such Shares (or if the dividend is insufficient to repay accrued but unpaid
  Interest from previous quarters), such unpaid Interest shall accrue and be
  payable in each succeeding quarter and then in accordance with Section
  9.02(a)(i) (in the case of the Purchase Loan), Section 9.02(b)(i) (in the
  case of the Tax Loan) and this Section 9.03.
 
    (c) Release and Delivery of Stock Certificates at End of Purchase Loan
  Term. The Trust shall release and deliver to each Participant certificates
  for the Shares purchased by the Participant under the Plan at the end of
  the Purchase Loan Term, provided the Participant has paid or otherwise
  satisfied in full the balance
 
                                     A-19
<PAGE>
 
  of the Purchase Loan, any Tax Loan and any accrued but unpaid Interest. In
  the event the balance of the Purchase Loan is not repaid, forgiven or
  otherwise satisfied within ninety (90) days after the end of the Purchase
  Loan Term (or such longer time as the Committee, in its sole discretion,
  shall provide for repayment or satisfaction), the Trust shall retain a
  portion of Shares purchased under the Stock Purchase Award, as provided in
  Section 9.04(d).
 
    If a Participant has not paid or otherwise satisfied the balance of the
  Tax Loan and any accrued but unpaid Interest thereon at the end of the
  Purchase Loan Term, the Trust shall retain as security for repayment of the
  Tax Loan and any accrued but unpaid Interest thereon the stock certificates
  for a portion of the Shares purchased by the Participant pursuant to a
  Stock Purchase Award representing Shares that have a Fair Market Value
  (determined as of the last day of the Purchase Loan Term) equal to 200% of
  the outstanding balance of the Tax Loan and any accrued but unpaid Interest
  thereon as of the last day of the Purchase Loan Term, such stock
  certificates to be retained in the possession of the Chief Financial
  Officer, of the Trust (or the Chief Executive Officer, as the case may be)
  as security for repayment of such indebtedness.
 
    For purposes of this Section, a Participant shall be considered to have
  paid in full for that number of Shares acquired with a Purchase Loan
  determined by multiplying the number of Shares covered by a Stock Purchase
  Award by a fraction, the numerator of which is the sum of (i) the
  cumulative amount of the Purchase Loan principal which has been forgiven
  under Section 9.02(c) on the date such calculation is made and (ii) the
  portion of the Purchase Loan, if any, which has been prepaid by such date,
  and the denominator of which is the original principal amount of the
  Purchase Loan.
 
    In the event of a Participant's Termination of Employment prior to the
  end of the Purchase Loan Term, the stock certificates for the Shares
  purchased by the Participant pursuant to a Stock Purchase Award shall be
  released and delivered to the Participant (or his Beneficiary) or retained
  by the Trust, depending upon whether the Participant has repaid the balance
  of the Purchase Loan, Tax Loan and any accrued but unpaid Interest on the
  Purchase and Tax Loans, in accordance with Section 9.04 of this Plan.
 
    (d) Release and Delivery of Stock Certificates during Purchase Loan
  Term. On January 31 of each year of a Purchase Loan Term, the Trust shall
  release and deliver to each Participant certificates for a portion of the
  Shares purchased by a Participant pursuant to a Stock Purchase Award,
  provided that such Participant is employed by the Trust as of such date.
  The Trust shall retain as security for repayment of the Purchase Loan, the
  Tax Loan and any accrued but unpaid Interest thereon, a portion of the
  Shares purchased by a Participant having a Fair Market Value (determined as
  of January 30 of each year of the Purchase Loan Term) equal to 200% of the
  outstanding balance of the Purchase Loan, Tax Loan and any accrued but
  unpaid Interest thereon as of January 31 of each year during the Purchase
  Loan Term. Certificates representing the remaining Shares purchased
  pursuant to a Stock Purchase Award shall be delivered to such Participant.
  A Participant shall not transfer, sell or otherwise dispose of Shares
  released pursuant to this Section during the remainder of the Purchase Loan
  Term; provided, however, that such Shares may be pledged as collateral for
  other indebtedness of the Participant; provided, further, however, that in
  the event of a Change in Control, all such transfer restrictions on such
  Shares shall lapse.
 
  9.04 TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.
 
    (a) Termination of Employment by Death or Disability. On the Offer Date,
  the Committee, in its sole discretion, may provide for the forgiveness of a
  Purchase Loan as of the date of Participant's Termination of Employment by
  reason of death or Disability, in such an amount of the original principal
  amount of the Purchase Loan as the Committee shall designate; provided that
  the Participant (or his Beneficiary, in the case of the Participant's
  death) shall first tender to the Trust within one hundred and eighty (180)
  days of such Termination of Employment: (i) the amount of the Trust's
  minimum withholding tax obligation which would be created as a result of
  the forgiveness of the Purchase Loan and (ii) the amount of the balance of
  Participant's Purchase Loan, Tax Loan and any accrued but unpaid Interest
  on such Loans.
 
    (b) Termination of Employment by Voluntary Resignation or Without
  Cause. In the event of a Participant's Termination of Employment by
  voluntary resignation, the Participant shall repay to the Trust
 
                                     A-20
<PAGE>
 
  the entire balance of the Purchase Loan, the Tax Loan and any accrued but
  unpaid Interest on such Loans, which shall be deemed immediately due and
  payable, within ninety (90) days of the date of Participant's Termination
  of Employment by voluntary resignation. In the event of a Participant's
  Termination of Employment by the Trust without Cause, the Participant shall
  be obligated to repay the balance of the Purchase Loan, Tax Loan and any
  accrued but unpaid Interest on the Purchase and Tax Loans within twelve
  (12) months of the date of Participant's Termination of Employment.
 
    (c) Termination of Employment for Cause. In the event of a Participant's
  Termination of Employment for Cause, the Participant's Purchase Loan, Tax
  Loan, and accrued but unpaid Interest on such Loans, shall become due and
  payable immediately upon the date of such Participant's Termination of
  Employment.
 
    (d) Retention of Stock Purchase Award. If a Participant fails to repay
  the balance of the Purchase Loan, Tax Loan and accrued but unpaid Interest
  on the Purchase and Tax Loans within the applicable time periods as
  provided in the Participant's promissory notes and in this Section 9.04,
  the Trust shall retain that portion of the Shares acquired through a Stock
  Purchase Award which has a Fair Market Value (as of the last day of such
  applicable time period) equal to the sum of the outstanding principal
  balance of Participant's Purchase Loan and Tax Loan and accrued but unpaid
  Interest on the Purchase and Tax Loans, and the Trust shall be obligated to
  distribute to the Participant stock certificates for only that portion of
  the Stock Purchase Award which is equal in value to the difference between
  the Fair Market Value of the Shares covered by the Stock Purchase Award and
  the sum of the principal balance of the Participant's Purchase Loan and Tax
  Loan and the accrued but unpaid Interest on the Purchase and Tax Loans,
  such Fair Market Value and balance to be determined as of the date such
  Purchase Loan, Tax Loan and Interest payments are due as set forth in
  Participant's promissory notes and the foregoing Section 9.04.
 
  9.05 RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER. Subject to Section 11.04, no Stock Purchase
Award or Shares purchased through such an Award and pledged to the Trust as
collateral security for the Participant's Purchase Loan, Tax Loan and accrued
but unpaid Interest thereon shall be transferable by the Participant other
than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
 
ARTICLE X. NON-EMPLOYEE TRUSTEE AWARDS
 
  10.01 GRANT OF NON-EMPLOYEE TRUSTEE AWARDS. Each individual whose term as a
Trustee continues after the date of each annual meeting of shareholders of the
Trust, commencing with the 1997 annual meeting, and continuing until the date
this Plan terminates, shall as of the date of each such annual meeting of
shareholders be granted a Non-Employee Trustee Award consisting of an Option
to purchase 2,500 Shares. The exercise price for such Options shall be the
Fair Market Value of a Share on the Date of Grant. All such Options shall be
designated as Non-Qualified Stock Options and shall have a ten year term. Such
Options shall be fully exercisable six months after the Date of Grant,
provided, however, in the event of a Change in Control, such Options shall
become immediately and fully exercisable.
 
  If a Non-Employee Trustee's service with the Trust terminates by reason of
death or Disability, any Option held by such Non-Employee Trustee may be
exercised for a period of two years from the date of such termination or until
the expiration of the Option, whichever is shorter. If a Non-Employee
Trustee's service with the Trust terminates other than by reason of death or
Disability, under mutually satisfactory conditions, any Option held by such
Non-Employee Trustee may be exercised for a period of one year from the date
of such termination, or until the expiration of the stated term of the Option,
whichever is shorter. All applicable provisions of the Plan not inconsistent
with this Section 10.01 shall apply to Awards granted to Non-Employee
Trustees; provided, however, that the Committee may not exercise discretion
under any provision of the Plan with respect to Options granted under this
Section 10.01 to the extent that such discretion is inconsistent with Exchange
Act Rule 16b-3.
 
  10.02 PAYMENT OF ANNUAL RETAINER. During the term of this Plan, each Non-
Employee Trustee shall have the option of receiving his Annual Retainer in
cash or Shares or a combination of both. Each Non-Employee Trustee shall be
required to make an annual irrevocable election regarding the form of payment
of his Annual Retainer. The election must be in writing and must be delivered
to the Secretary of the Trust on or before the
 
                                     A-21
<PAGE>
 
date on which the amount of the Annual Retainer for a year is determined;
provided, however, that for the Trust's 1997 fiscal year an election with
respect to the form of payment of the Annual Retainer was made on December 31,
1996, and the Annual Retainer Payment Date for such fiscal year shall be June
30, 1997. If no election is made with respect to a year, a Non-Employee
Trustee's Annual Retainer for such year will automatically be paid in Shares.
The Annual Retainer for a year shall be paid to the Trustees on the Annual
Retainer Payment Date for such year. The total number of Shares to be issued
to a Non-Employee Trustee who receives Shares pursuant to this Section 10.02
shall be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the portion of the Annual
Retainer payable in Shares for a particular year by the Fair Market Value of a
Share on the Business Day immediately preceding the Annual Retainer Payment
Date. In no event shall the Trust be required to issue fractional Shares.
Whenever under the terms of this Section a fractional Share would otherwise be
required to be issued, an amount in lieu thereof shall be paid in cash based
upon the Fair Market Value of such fractional Share. Shares issued pursuant to
this Section shall not be transferable for three years from the date of their
issuance, provided, however, in the event of a Change in Control all such
restrictions on such Shares shall lapse.
 
ARTICLE XI. TERMS APPLICABLE TO ALL AWARDS GRANTED UNDER THE PLAN
 
  11.01 PLAN PROVISIONS CONTROL AWARD TERMS EXCEPT UPON TERMINATION.
 
    (a) Termination. An employment or other agreement, if applicable, between
  a Participant and the Trust shall govern with respect to the terms and
  conditions applicable to Awards granted to such Participant under the Plan
  upon a Termination of Employment; provided, however, that to the extent
  necessary for an Award intended to qualify as performance-based
  compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code to so qualify, the terms of
  the Plan shall govern the Award; and, provided further, that the Committee
  shall have reviewed and, in its sole discretion, approved the employment or
  other agreement.
 
    (b) Plan Provisions Control Generally. Except as provided in Section
  11.01(a), the terms of the Plan shall govern all Awards granted under the
  Plan, and in no event shall the Committee have the power to grant to a
  Participant any Award under the Plan which is contrary to any provisions of
  the Plan. In the event any provision of any Award granted under the Plan
  shall conflict with any of the terms in the Plan as constituted on the Date
  of Grant of such Award, the terms of the Plan as constituted on the Date of
  Grant of such Award shall control. Except as provided in Section 3.01(b),
  Section 8.06 or Section 11.03 or unless otherwise provided by the
  Committee, in its sole discretion, in the Award Agreement, the terms of any
  Award granted under the Plan may not be changed after the Date of Grant of
  such Award so as to materially decrease the value of the Award without the
  express written approval of the Participant.
 
  11.02 AWARD AGREEMENT. No person shall have any rights under any Award
granted under the Plan unless and until the Trust and the Participant to whom
such Award shall have been granted shall have executed and delivered an Award
Agreement or received any other Award acknowledgment authorized by the
Committee expressly granting the Award to such person and containing
provisions setting forth the terms of the Award. If there is any conflict
between the provisions of an Award Agreement and the terms of the Plan, the
terms of the Plan shall control.
 
  11.03 MODIFICATION OF AWARD AFTER GRANT. Except as provided in Section
3.01(b) or Section 8.06, or unless otherwise provided by the Committee, in its
sole discretion, in the Award Agreement, no Award granted under the Plan to a
Participant may be modified (unless such modification does not materially
decrease the value of the Award) after the Date of Grant except by express
written agreement between the Trust and the Participant; provided that any
such change (a) shall not be inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, and (b)
shall be approved by the Committee.
 
  11.04 LIMITATION ON TRANSFER. The rights and interest of a Participant in
any Award under the Plan may not be assigned or transferred other than by will
or the laws of descent and distribution or, in the Committee's sole
discretion, pursuant to a domestic relations order (within the meaning of
Exchange Act Rule 16a-12). During the lifetime of a Participant, and except as
the preceding sentence provides, only the Participant personally may
 
                                     A-22
<PAGE>
 
exercise rights under the Plan. Except as otherwise specifically provided in
the Plan, a Participant's Beneficiary may exercise the Participant's rights
only to the extent they were exercisable under the Plan at the date of the
death of the Participant and are otherwise currently exercisable.
 
  11.05 TAXES. The Trust shall be entitled, if the Committee deems it
necessary or desirable, to withhold (or secure payment from the Participant in
lieu of withholding) the amount of any withholding or other tax required by
law to be withheld or paid by the Trust with respect to any amount payable
and/or Shares issuable under such Participant's Award, or with respect to any
income recognized upon the lapse of restrictions applicable to an Award or
upon a disqualifying disposition of Shares received pursuant to the exercise
of an Incentive Stock Option, and the Trust may defer payment or issuance of
the cash or Shares upon the grant, exercise or vesting of an Award unless
indemnified to its satisfaction against any liability for any such tax. The
amount of such withholding or tax payment shall be determined by the Committee
or its delegate and shall be payable by the Participant at such time as the
Committee determines. The Committee shall prescribe in each Award Agreement
one or more methods by which the Participant will be permitted to satisfy his
tax withholding obligation, which methods may include, without limitation, the
payment of cash by the Participant to the Trust and the withholding from the
Award, at the appropriate time, of a number of Shares sufficient, based upon
the Fair Market Value of such Shares, to satisfy such tax withholding
requirements. The Committee shall be authorized, in its sole discretion, to
establish such rules and procedures relating to any such withholding methods
as it deems necessary or appropriate, including, without limitation, rules and
procedures relating to elections by Participants who are subject to the
provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act to have Shares withheld from an
Award to meet such withholding obligations.
 
  11.06 CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION.
 
    (a) In the event of a Change in Capitalization, the Committee shall
  conclusively determine the appropriate adjustments, if any, to (i) the
  maximum number and class of Shares or other securities with respect to
  which Awards may be granted under the Plan, (ii) the maximum number and
  class of Shares or other securities with respect to which Awards may be
  granted to any Participant during any calendar year, (iii) the number and
  class of Shares or securities which are subject to outstanding Awards
  granted under the Plan and the purchase price therefor, if applicable, and
  (iv) the Performance Targets.
 
    (b) Any such adjustment in the Shares or other securities subject to
  outstanding Incentive Stock Options (including, without limitation, any
  adjustments in the purchase price) shall be made in such manner as not to
  constitute a modification as defined by Section 424(h)(3) of the Code and
  only to the extent otherwise permitted by Sections 422 and 424 of the Code.
 
    (c) If, by reason of a Change in Capitalization, a Participant shall be
  entitled to exercise an Award with respect to, new, additional or different
  shares of stock or securities, such new, additional or different shares
  shall thereupon be subject to all of the conditions, restrictions and
  performance criteria which were applicable to the Shares subject to the
  Award, as the case may be, prior to such Change in Capitalization.
 
    (d) No adjustment of the number of Shares available under the Plan or to
  which any Award relates that would otherwise be required under this Section
  shall be made unless and until such adjustment either by itself or with
  other adjustments not previously made under this Section would require an
  increase or decrease of at least 1% in the number of Shares available under
  the Plan or to which any Award relates immediately prior to the making of
  such adjustment (the "Minimum Adjustment"). Any adjustment representing a
  change of less than such minimum amount shall be carried forward and made
  as soon as such adjustment together with other adjustments required by this
  Section and not previously made would result in a Minimum Adjustment.
  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any adjustment required by this Section
  which otherwise would not result in a Minimum Adjustment shall be made with
  respect to Shares relating to any Award immediately prior to exercise of
  such Award. No fractional Shares or units of other securities shall be
  issued pursuant to any such adjustment, and any fractions resulting from
  any such adjustment shall be eliminated in each case by rounding downward
  to the nearest whole share.
 
                                     A-23
<PAGE>
 
  11.07 LOANS. The Trust shall be entitled, if the Committee in its sole
discretion deems it necessary or desirable, to lend money to a Participant for
purposes of (a) exercising his rights under an Award hereunder or (b) paying
any income tax liability related to an Award; provided, however, that Non-
Employee Trustees shall not be eligible to receive such loans. Such a loan
shall be evidenced by a promissory note payable to the order of the Trust
executed by the Participant and containing such other terms and conditions as
the Committee may deem desirable.
 
  11.08 SURRENDER OF AWARDS. Any Award granted to a Participant under the Plan
may be surrendered to the Trust for cancellation on such terms as the
Committee and such Participant approve.
 
  11.09 NO RIGHT TO AWARD; NO RIGHT TO EMPLOYMENT. No employee or other person
shall have any claim of right to be granted an Award under this Plan. Neither
the Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as giving any
employee any right to be retained in the employ of the Trust.
 
  11.10 AWARDS NOT INCLUDABLE FOR BENEFIT PURPOSES. Income recognized by a
Participant pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall not be included in
the determination of benefits under any employee pension benefit plan (as such
term is defined in Section 3(2) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974, as amended) or group insurance or other benefit plans applicable to
the Participant which are maintained by the Trust, except as may be provided
under the terms of such plans or determined by resolution of the Trustees.
 
  11.11 GOVERNING LAW. The Plan and all determinations made and actions taken
pursuant to the Plan shall be governed by the laws of the District of Columbia
other than the conflict of laws provisions of such laws, and shall be
construed in accordance therewith.
 
  11.12 NO STRICT CONSTRUCTION. No rule of strict construction shall be
implied against the Trust, the Committee, or any other person in the
interpretation of any of the terms of the Plan, any Award granted under the
Plan or any rule or procedure established by the Committee.
 
  11.13 INTERPRETATION.
 
    (a) Rule 16b-3. The Plan is intended to comply with Exchange Act Rule
  16b-3 and the Committee shall interpret and administer the provisions of
  the Plan or any Award Agreement in a manner consistent therewith. Any
  provisions inconsistent with such Rule shall be inoperative and shall not
  affect the validity of the Plan. The Trustees are authorized to amend the
  Plan and to make any such modifications to Award Agreements to comply with
  Exchange Act Rule 16b-3, as it may be amended from time to time, and to
  make any other such amendments or modifications deemed necessary or
  appropriate to better accomplish the purposes of the Plan in light of any
  amendments made to Exchange Act Rule 16b-3.
 
    (b) Section 162(m) of the Code. Unless otherwise expressly stated in the
  relevant Award Agreement, each Option, Stock Appreciation Right and
  Performance Award granted under the Plan is intended to be performance-
  based compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code
  (except that, in the event of a Change in Control, payment of Performance
  Awards to a Participant who remains a "covered employee" with respect to
  such payment within the meaning of Section 162(m)(3) of the Code may not
  qualify as performance-based compensation). The Committee shall not be
  entitled to exercise any discretion otherwise authorized hereunder with
  respect to such Awards if the ability to exercise such discretion or the
  exercise of such discretion itself would cause the compensation
  attributable to such Awards to fail to qualify as performance-based
  compensation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, the
  provisions of the Plan may at any time be bifurcated by the Trustees or the
  Committee in any manner so that certain provisions of the Plan or any
  Performance Award intended (or required in order) to satisfy the applicable
  requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code are only applicable to persons
  whose compensation is subject to Section 162(m).
 
  11.14 CAPTIONS. The captions (i.e., all Section headings) used in the Plan
are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of the Plan, and shall not
be deemed to limit, characterize or affect in any way any provisions of the
Plan, and all provisions of the Plan shall be construed as if no captions have
been used in the Plan.
 
                                     A-24
<PAGE>
 
  11.15 SEVERABILITY. Whenever possible, each provision in the Plan and every
Award at any time granted under the Plan shall be interpreted in such manner
as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of the
Plan or any Award at any time granted under the Plan shall be held to be
prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, then (a) such provision shall
be deemed amended to accomplish the objectives of the provision as originally
written to the fullest extent permitted by law and (b) all other provisions of
the Plan and every other Award at any time granted under the Plan shall remain
in full force and effect.
 
  11.16 REGULATIONS AND OTHER APPROVALS.
 
    (a) The obligation of the Trust to sell or deliver Shares with respect to
  Awards granted under the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws,
  rules and regulations, including, without limitation, all applicable
  federal and state securities laws, and the obtaining of such approvals by
  governmental agencies as may be deemed necessary or appropriate by the
  Committee.
 
    (b) Each Award is subject to the requirement that, if at any time the
  Committee determines, in its sole discretion, that the listing,
  registration or qualification of Shares issuable pursuant to the Plan is
  required by any securities exchange or under any state or federal law, or
  the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory body is necessary or
  desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, the grant of an Award
  or the issuance of Shares, no Awards shall be granted or payment made or
  Shares issued, in whole or in part, unless listing, registration,
  qualification, consent or approval has been effected or obtained free of
  any conditions as acceptable to the Committee.
 
    (c) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Plan or any Award Agreement
  to the contrary, in the event that the disposition of Shares acquired
  pursuant to the Plan is not covered by a then current registration
  statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
  Act"), and is not otherwise exempt from such registration, such Shares
  shall be restricted against transfer to the extent required by the
  Securities Act and Rule 144 or other regulations thereunder. The Committee
  may require any individual receiving Shares pursuant to an Award granted
  under the Plan, as a condition precedent to receipt of such Shares, to
  represent and warrant to the Trust in writing that the Shares acquired by
  the individual are acquired without a view to any distribution thereof and
  will not be sold or transferred other than pursuant to an effective
  registration thereof under said Act or pursuant to an exemption applicable
  under the Securities Act or the rules and regulations promulgated
  thereunder. The certificates evidencing any of such Shares shall be
  appropriately amended to reflect their status as restricted securities as
  aforesaid.
 
  11.17 CONSTRUCTION. Whenever used herein, nouns in the singular shall
include the plural and the masculine pronouns shall include the feminine
gender.
 
  11.18 POOLING TRANSACTIONS. Notwithstanding anything contained in the Plan
or any Agreement to the contrary, in the event of a Change in Control which is
also intended to constitute a Pooling Transaction, the Committee shall take
such actions, if any, as are specifically recommended by an independent
accounting firm retained by the Trust to the extent reasonably necessary in
order to assure that the Pooling Transaction will qualify as such, including,
without limitation, (i) deferring the vesting, exercise, payment, settlement
or lapsing of restrictions with respect to any Award, (ii) providing that the
payment or settlement in respect of any Award be made in the form of cash,
Shares or securities of a successor or acquirer of the Trust, or a combination
of the foregoing, (iii) postponing or deferring the forgiveness of any Loan
hereunder, and (iv) providing for the extension of the term of any Award to
the extent necessary to accommodate the foregoing, but not beyond the maximum
term permitted for any Award.
 
  11.19 AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION.
 
    (a) Amendment. The Trustees shall have complete power and authority to
  amend the Plan at any time it is deemed necessary or appropriate: provided,
  however, that the Trustees shall not, without the affirmative approval of
  shareholders of the Trust, make any amendment that requires shareholder
  approval under Section 162(m) of the Code or under any other applicable
  law, unless the Trustees determine that compliance therewith is no longer
  desired. No termination or amendment of the Plan may, without the
 
                                     A-25
<PAGE>
 
  consent of the Participant to whom any Award shall theretofore have been
  granted under the Plan, adversely affect the right of such individual under
  such Award; provided, however, that the Committee may, in its sole
  discretion, change Performance Targets as provided in Section 8.06 and make
  such provision in the Award Agreement for amendments which, in its sole
  discretion, it deems appropriate.
 
    (b) Termination. The Trustees shall have the right and the power to
  terminate the Plan at any time. No Award shall be granted under the Plan
  after the termination of the Plan, but the termination of the Plan shall
  not have any other effect and any Award outstanding at the time of the
  termination of the Plan may be exercised after termination of the Plan at
  any time prior to the expiration date of such Award to the same extent such
  Award would have been exercisable had the Plan not terminated.
 
                                     A-26
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROXY
 
                        FEDERAL REALTY INVESTMENT TRUST
 
          THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
 
  The undersigned, a shareholder of Federal Realty Investment Trust (the
"Trust"), hereby constitutes and appoints THOMAS F. COONEY, ESQ., MARY JANE
MORROW and CECILY A. WARD, or any of them, as the true and lawful attorneys
and proxies of the undersigned, with full power of substitution, for and in
the name of the undersigned, to vote and otherwise act at the Annual Meeting
of Shareholders of the Trust to be held at Woodmont Country Club, 1201
Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland on Wednesday, May 7, 1997 at 10:00 a.m.,
or at any adjournment thereof, with respect to all of the Common Shares of
Beneficial Interest of the Trust which the undersigned would be entitled to
vote, with all the powers the undersigned would possess if personally present,
on the following matters.
 
  The undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms all that the aforesaid
attorneys and proxies may do hereunder.
 
                        (TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE)
 
                                                     ----------------
                                                     SEE REVERSE SIDE
                                                     ----------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
[X]  PLEASE MARK YOUR  +++                                        +
     VOTES AS IN THIS  +                                          +
     EXAMPLE.                                                     +
                                                                  +++++++
 
 
  This Proxy when properly executed will be voted as directed by the
undersigned shareholder. IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED
"FOR" PROPOSALS 1 AND 2. 
 
                 FOR  WITHHELD
 
1. Election of   [ ]    [ ]     A. Cornet De Ways Ruart,
   Trustees:                    Walter F. Loeb,        
                                Kenneth D. Brody        
 
The Board of Trustees unanimously recommends a vote FOR the three Nominees.
 
                     FOR  WITHHELD

2. Approval of       [ ]    [ ]
   "Amended Plan":

 The Board of Trustees unanimously recommends a vote FOR the "Amended Plan".
 
For all, except as otherwise indicated 
(INSTRUCTION: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO
VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE, 
STRIKE A LINE THROUGH THE NOMINEE'S 
NAME IN THE LIST.)

3. In their discretion, on any other matters properly coming before the meeting
or any adjournment thereof.
 
 
SIGNATURE(S) __________________________________________ DATE___________

NOTE: Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. If the shares are
      held jointly each party must sign. If the shareholder named is a corpora-
      tion, partnership or other association, please sign its name and add your
      own name and title. When signing as an attorney, executor, administrator,
      trustee, guardian or in any other representative capacity, please also
      give your full title or capacity.


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