June 26, 2003
TOWN OF EASTON, MARYLAND
Joint Meeting with Planning & Zoning
Draft Comprehensive Plan and Affordable Housing
Acting President John F. Ford Councilmember Moonyene Jackson-Amis
Councilmember Leonard E. Wendowski
Members of the Planning & Zoning Commission:
Ms. Linda Cheezum Mr. Dan Swann
Mr. Chris Brownawell Mr. John Atwood, Chairman
Mr. John White
The Mayor and Council met in a joint workshop session with the Planning & Zoning Commission at 6:00 p.m. in the Council’s Chambers.
WORKSHOP MEETING
The Acting President of the Council called the meeting to order. He stated that this is a public workshop but not a public hearing. He stated that the Council will not be taking public comment tonight but there will be ample opportunity as the process continues forward.
The Town Planner, Mr. Hamilton, briefed on the major changes. He stated that it is an update of the 1997 Plan. He stated that they held visioning sessions with volunteer groups and took their issues into four ward workshops where they took the input back to the Planning Commission. Mr. Hamilton stated that they have also been working with the Talbot County Planning & Zoning to coordinate their Plan with the County. He stated that the County’s growth map is 99% the same as the Town’s today. Mr. Hamilton stated that a Public Hearing had been held at the Planning Commission level as required on March 25 with a first draft. The document before the Council and Planning and Zoning Commission tonight is the result of several meetings which is a revised version of the Draft.
Mr. Jensen asked if this has been available. Mr. Hamilton stated that it has been on the Town’s webpage, the Town Office and maybe the library.
Mr. Hamilton stated that this presentation covers the growth control, the big box issues and housing issues. He discussed the amount of permits issued per year since 1992. He stated that the population/growth rate is about 3%. Mr. Hamilton stated that the Plan says that with that rate of about 200 units per year, with about 1100 to 1200 lots in existence, there is no need in the next six years to annex any property into the town to accommodate the growth anticipated. He discussed the need to annex certain areas to clean up the town boundary.
Mayor Willey discussed the capacity of the new wastewater treatment facility. Mr. Hamilton stated that the sewer plant is designed to accommodate the projected growth.
Mr. Atwood asked for a report on the specific point of how the Utilities would phase their operation into the projected growth.
Mr. Hamilton discussed studying the need to limit the number of permits to slow down the rate of growth.
Mr. Ford discussed how big the citizens want the town to be.
Mr. Hamilton discussed design standards and zoning classifications.
Mr. Ford questioned if there has been an opportunity for those involved in the visioning process to react specifically to the growth boundary line. Mr. Hamilton stated that the only comment was from a County Council member that did not think the boundary would stay as indicated but there would be more opportunity for public comment.
Mr. Hamilton discussed the schools capacity and stated that the class sizes are actually decreasing. He stated that he has the school’s master plan if anyone should like to see it.
The Town Planner discussed a capital improvement program to look at infrastructure needs. He discussed Dutchman’s Lane and stated that this is a county road.
Mr. Atwood discussed reaching out and inviting owners of large parcels to annex into town with incentives so they won’t suffer any costs with no plan to develop the property but simply into the Town. He stated that growth and annexation are totally different subjects that people think are the same.
Mr. Ford stated that it is his intention to work in conjunction with the County Council.
Mr. Hamilton discussed creating a greenbelt area.
Mr. Hamilton discussed a network of roads proposed by the Town Engineer to take the traffic off of Route 50. He discussed infrastructure and impact fees for developers.
Mayor Willey stated that the groups involved have to understand that they impact each other and the sooner everyone works together, the better we will be.
Mr. Jensen stated that he is not comfortable with the east side collector road. He stated that he is not sure the intended traffic diversion can be accomplished with one road. Mr. Jensen stated that he is opposed to the street going through Matthewstown Run. Mr. Jensen discussed the Comprehensive Plan asking the State Highway Administration to bypass Route 50 in the future. Mr. Hamilton discussed a traffic circle along Fisher Run Road.
Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that there are alternative ways to slow traffic that would satisfy major complaints of residents.
Mr. Ford stated that this is a document born from the public that requires public input. He suggested hearing from the community. Mr. Ford reiterated that this is not a final document.
Mr. Atwood stated that the developers cannot be penalized due to the inadequacy of roads.
Mr. Hamilton discussed the Public Facilities Ordinance and stated if adopted, we may be obligated to build adequate roads. He stated that the town is not in the road building business. Mr. Hamilton stated that if we wait for the developers to build the eastside collector road, it may not be useful for 50 years.
Mr. Atwood suggested implementing a plan that ensures that any development that produces traffic leading to that collector road should begin to make contributions. He stated that impact fees could also be applied.
Ms. Jackson-Amis discussed the proposal of a round-a-bout at five corners near Idlewild Park.
The Town Planner stated that the State Highway Administration is anxious to construct the road to town standards then turn the road over to the Town of Easton for maintenance. The Town Planner stated that the Town Engineer is in favor of the round-a-bout because he thinks it will handle traffic at that difficult intersection. He stated that it is a real strange intersection.
The Town Planner stated that the Planning Commission and the Comprehensive Plan has amended the previous language regarding major retail development. He stated that it now says that we should eliminate the maximum cap but continue to review major retail applications of 25,000 square feet and up with a review process of the Town Council. Mr. Hamilton stated that the Town Attorney suggested taking out the Board of Appeals process and reinstitute the Council in the process in the early application process.
Mr. Atwood asked if the developer would think he had approval in this instance. The Town Planner stated that the developer would basically have approval for the concept if the zoning permits it with final standard site-plan approval required by the Planning & Zoning Commission.
The President of the Council stated that this would be an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance establishing a process.
Mr. Jensen and Mr. Wendowski stated that they would need more information on this.
The Town Planner discussed the current review process for 5,000, 10,000 and 25,000 square feet proposals. He discussed the survey they established.
Mr. Jensen asked if we want to lift the big box cap completely. Mr. Ford stated that the applicant would still have to go through a review process.
Mr. Atwood stated that the Town needs to start telling developers how we want to grow.
Ms. Jackson-Amis asked if there is any reference for a plan for the west side. She discussed the need for something to show the quality of life improvement to the west side.
Mr. Hamilton stated that they do not think it should be just the west side. He stated that what the Comprehensive Plan should say is that each neighborhood should have a study to cover things like housing, recreation, public safety and other important issues for that neighborhood.
Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that the Planning Department of the Town needs to make sure this happens and ensure all the residents and all of the areas of the town are included in some development process. She stated that she explored how other towns do this during the recent MML Convention.
Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that she would like to see Be a Star listed in the Comprehensive Plan as a recreational facility due to what the facility offers. She stated that it is important to show the difference between 1997 and now with some specific things and improvements. She stated that it does show support for the changes in the community.
Mr. Brownawell clarified that the list outlined is parks and open space grass areas.
Mayor Willey stated that he thought the plan should be left as drafted because the Community Legacy grant process will drive the neighborhood plans.
Mr. Atwood stated that when the state looks to give grants to do certain things, they look into the Comprehensive Plan to see if there is a reference made to the request.
Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that if it does not exist as a part of what is planned and is not supported by the Town, it does not exist and then there is no support.
Ms. Cheezum stated that the Comprehensive Plan states that each neighborhood should be addressed.
Mr. Hamilton stated that if one neighborhood is mentioned, all the neighborhoods should be addressed.
Mayor Willey stated that he could support another paragraph that states that emphasis should be placed on the west side and east side neighborhoods first. He stated that this with the Community Legacy requests, shows continued support.
The Town Planner stated that some program needs to be adopted requiring each builder within their neighborhood a percentage of their units to be built affordable or moderately priced housing.
Mr. Brownawell asked for clarification regarding a formula that everyone could endorse regarding affordable housing.
Mr. Hamilton stated that Mr. Bibb and the County have guidelines and specifics regarding affordable housing.
Discussion occurred regarding affordable housing.
The President of the Council, Mr. Ford, stated that it is important that the Comprehensive Plan emphasizes that one of the answers for affordable housing has to come from new development.
Mr. Ford stated that this is a workshop to understand and hear some concerns. He stated that resolutions are going to come from the community.
Mr. Hamilton stated that the Planning Commission came up with the best information and the best recommendation when they viewed the surveys.
Mr. Ford asked if this draft could be put out for public review. He stated that during the next Council meeting on July 7, the Council will decide how to distribute this and set a public hearing.
Mr. Brownawell stated that the Planning and Zoning Commission has gone through this document for a long time. He stated that he feels they have worked it as much as they can and the Council should take it to the next step.
Mr. Jensen stated that he likes the three tiered annexation process but he thinks it needs to be made clearer by leaving the urban growth boundary where it is but making a growth area boundary that puts in play during the planning period what the Town is willing to allow for developers. He stated that the line could be moved out after six years.
ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski, seconded by Mr. Ford, the President of the Council adjourned the Workshop Meeting.
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Town Clerk