November 25, 2003
TOWN OF EASTON, MARYLAND
Workshop
Draft Comprehensive Plan
Councilmember Moonyene Jackson-Amis
Also in attendance were Town Engineer Mr. Tim Glass, Town Planner Mr. Tom Hamilton, and Town Clerk Robert Karge. Members of the Planning Commission present were: Mr. John Atwood, Chairman and Mr. John White.
The Mayor and Council met in a workshop session at 7:10 p.m. in the Council’s Chambers. The President of the Council, Mr. Ford, led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
WORKSHOP MEETING
Mr. Ford stated that the intention of tonight’s meeting is for the Council members and the Planning and Zoning Commission to go over all the discussions during the public hearing and workshops and send the Comprehensive Plan Draft to the Planning Commission with suggested changes with clear directions.
Mr. Matt Davis, Assistant Town Planner arrived at 7:17 p.m.
Mayor Willey arrived at 7:20 p.m.
Mr. Ford stated that there are three items the Council has reached a consensus on. 1) The Sensitive Areas chapter of the plan should be strengthened, more closely reflecting Chapter 8 in the County’s Comprehensive Plan draft (as appropriate). 2) The Plan should recommend strengthening the requirements for storm water runoff on construction sites. 3) Text should be added to the Housing chapter recommending that new development helps to fund and/or provide for affordable housing and that an Affordable Housing fund be established in Easton.
Discussion occurred on the east-side collector road. Mr. Jensen discussed the proposed layout and Matthewstown residents’ concerns. Mr. Hamilton stated that other roads have been added. Ms. Jackson-Amis suggested changing the language from collector to an alternative road. The Town Planner suggested using Mr. Jensen’s language regarding the purpose of the road. Mr. Hamilton stated that he will revisit the language and calm it down. Mr. White suggested making the recommendation in the Plan as to how to implement this road with a developer. Mr. White stated that a working relationship with the County had to be established so they will exercise their ability to put those roads in that is agreeable. Mr. Jensen stated that the Plan needs to state that traffic calming devices need to be considered.
Discussion occurred on the east-west connector road. Mr. Ford stated that conceptually, the Council is 100% behind the road.
Mr. Ford stated that they have received numerous comments on the “Comment Area” within the proposed growth boundary in the Comprehensive Plan. He stated that he feels that the Council is not happy with the current delineation as a purple comment area. Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that she feels it should be removed altogether based on the comments from the public. It was the consensus of the Council to take it off the Town of Easton’s Plan.
Mr. Hamilton stated that leaving the Comment Area out of the Plan altogether just says that the Town is not looking at that right now but could be considered for development in future years. Mr. Ford stated that those parcels should be included for development in the future.
It was the consensus of the Council to take out the “Comment Area.”
Mr. Ford brought the timing of annexations to the floor for discussion. He stated that he thought the consensus was that the Council felt the language should more definitively discourage if not prohibit annexations within the planning period that is commencing. Mr. Atwood stated that Priority Two is an area which we feel wants annexation and Priority One will come along at their own speed.
Mr. Ford stated that the Council agrees with that to the extent that “at their own speed” does not occur within the next six years and then to carry the mathematics further out, the designation for when Priority Three area might come in will be well beyond the 2015 date. Mr. Ford stated that the other item the Council had trouble with is what Mr. Wendowski referred to as the loophole. He stated that the property lines might be partially in Priority Two and partially in Priority Three and this language should be removed which may require delineation between Priority Two and Priority Three to be more closely studied. Mr. Ford asked if the language could be taken out completely. Mr. Hamilton stated that they would take that language out with no exemption.
Mr. Hamilton clarified that the Council wished nothing to be annexed for the six years and the issue will be looked at again in six years. After six years, should Priority Two and Three areas be permitted to be annexed at the same time or not if he owns the whole area. Mr. Hamilton stated that this does not need to be addressed at this time. He suggested leaving the line where it is and addressing it after six years. Mr. Wendowski stated that the language should be perfectly clear that annexation should occur first in Priority One, then Two.
Discussion concerning rate of growth occurred. Mr. Ford stated that he thinks that the Council felt that some sort of cap on population and/or building permits was not the way to manage growth management. Mr. Ford stated that they felt that through design standards and this phase concentric circles moving outward is the approach they would like to do. He stated that should that rate of growth spike and accelerate, then this may have to be revisited.
Mr. Ford discussed a monitoring document which he stated has been suggested to be built into the Planning and Zoning Department’s Annual Report which might reflect the Town’s progress or its relation to the predictions that are in the Comprehensive Plan. He stated that assessments and adjustments can be made on an annual basis.
Mr. Ford brought to the floor the subject of Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance, impact fees and inter-jurisdictional coordination. He stated that there were varying degrees of support for the subjects. Mr. Ford stated that from his perspective, the current text in the Draft is adequate for these three matters. Mr. Ford stated that the way they are talked about in the Plan is that they should be considered and he supports that but is not sure to what extent.
Mr. Ford stated that there was some discussion that there should be if not a chapter, at least mention of the Historic and Cultural chapter and a Tourism and Marketing chapter.
Mrs. Scott-Taylor stated that a Tourism and Marketing statement should be included in the Economic Development chapter.
Ms. Jackson-Amis asked Mr. Davis to forward a draft of the Cultural Chapter for review.
Mr. Ford stated that at the last workshop, there was concern about the existing zoning in the county portion of the growth area, traditional residential zoning that would allow four dwelling units per acre now with sewer. He stated that he is not sure to what extent the Town Council should be concerned about that. Mr. Ford asked if the Town’s plan should recommend that the County Comprehensive Plan considers down zoning of these areas that potentially could be developed within our growth boundary but not within the phasing that has been suggested. Mr. Ford stated that in order for the Town’s TDR program to work and the phasing of this, it has to be in conjunction with what the County does with the lands that are out there. Mr. Hamilton stated that the County’s Plan has the same phasing in it.
Discussion occurred on the east-side bypass. Mr. Ford stated that he felt that it should at least be mentioned in the Plan. He stated that they recommend that the County reflect an east-side bypass in their Comprehensive Plan.
Mr. Hamilton stated the Planning and Zoning Commission has discussed language from an ordinance that says that you can’t repeat the same house within six houses to deter from getting monotonous developments.
Mr. Jensen discussed complaints regarding architecture. He suggested developing standards so the contractor knows what to expect.
Mr. Wendowski suggested a schedule for inspection of rental property. He stated that he is not sure this is for the Comprehensive Plan but has been suggested by the League of Women Voters. Mr. Ford stated that these are not scheduled but completed by complaint. Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that this is a good idea. Mr. Ford stated that this language could be strengthened in the Housing chapter.
Mr. David Hamburg, 7630 Tred Avon Circle, Waverly, stated that the trick is to determine what the majority of the people want; not what the vocal majority or the lawyers want. He suggested using survey to determine what people want and how to figure out. Mr. Hamburg discussed traffic improvements and the efficiency of Route 50.
Mr. Ford discussed being an elected official and his view and stated that the Council is not elected to be consensus takers and keeping tallies about how people feel on sides of issues. He discussed the Council’s responsibilities based on a careful consideration of what they have heard.
Mr. Hamilton discussed the history of the draft Comprehensive Plan.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further discussion, the President of the Council adjourned the workshop at 9:00 p.m.
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Town Clerk