SPECIAL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

December 1, 1998

The Town Council of the Town of Easton met today at 6:00 P.M. The meeting was called to order by the President, Mr. Willey, with the following members present: Mr. Ford, Mrs. Clem and Mr. Heinmuller. Also attending the meeting were Mayor C. Eugene Butler, the Town Planner Mr. Hamilton, Assistant Town Planner Mr. Thomas and the Town Attorney Mr. Kehoe.

Attending the meeting on behalf of the Planning and Zoning Commission were Mr. Tom Wright, Mr. John White, Mr. John Atwood and Mr. Jon Braithwaite.

The President of the Council offered some opening remarks regarding the purpose of the meeting and announced that he had another granddaughter.

The Town Planner discussed the reasons for the workshop and the growth history within the Town. The Town Engineer joined the meeting at 6:03 P.M.

The Assistant Town Planner proceeded with a presentation with a prepared handout on the Easton growth issues. He covered the history of the growth in Easton and the region.

The Town Planner briefed the Council on the projects in development and/or early stages. He stated that the growth is inevitable.

Mr. Hamilton discussed the eastern boundary of the Town and the Talbot County projected area of the Town in the future.

Ms. Peggy Pickall of the Planning and Zoning Commission joined the meeting at 6:20 P.M.

The Town Planner stated that he thinks that the Town needs to put more things in less area.

The Town Planner discussed the Ratcliffe Manor annexation, which is scheduled for a Public Hearing before the Town Council January 4, 1999. This will entail 178 acres. The Town Planner discussed 197 acres of Alliance Development Corporation, which is the wooded area across from The Easton Club. He stated that this is not in for development plans yet. The Town Planner discussed the Hoffman farm, which is south of South Beechwood and consists of 52 acres and advised that several realtors have contacted him but there has been no application. The Town Planner briefed the Council on the Lyons Farm, which was annexed in 1993. He discussed Mr. Dill’s project, which was approved but not developed. He also discussed extension of the approval for the small commercial area by the Lyons’. The next property discussed by the Town Planner was the Roy Brooks farm sometimes known as the Reward Farm. He stated that he has never been approached by anyone on this. He stated that this is 100 acres and was annexed at the same time as the Stoney Ridge area developed by Mr. Corbin. The Town Planner discussed the Swann farm and stated that this is being developed by two developers. He discussed Mr. Atkiss’ development and Mr. Passyn’s development. The Town Planner stated that the potential if annexed is 500 lots.

The Town discussed the Gannon family commercial request, which was known as Easton Commons. He discussed the sixty plus acre site. He stated that an application to sub-divide this property into five to six lots will be coming before the Planning Commission’s next meeting. He stated that the Gannons have some residential land adjacent to this property.

The next parcel discussed by the Town Planner is north of the Airport, the Easton Technology Center, which is 161 acres annexed in 1996. He discussed the development efforts in that area. The Town Planner discussed the Dudrow farm and the previous withdrawal of the application for a shopping center on that parcel. He discussed the portion which is zoned Select Industrial and Limited Commercial. He stated that he understands that the developers are attempting to meet with the Planning Commission to develop the Dudrow farm.

The Town Planner discussed Mistletoe Hall Farm owned by the Town, consisting of 86 acres, which is zoned Select Industrial.

The President of the Council asked if there were any indications of Easton Point development. The Town Planner discussed parks currently within the Town boundary. He stated that he has never had a developer in to discuss annexation or development of that parcel. He discussed the problem of getting rid of the fuel oil tanks and the Brownsfield legislation.

The Town Planner discussed Cooke’s Hope.

The Town Planner discussed the Corbin development and the Woods at Stoney Ridge, which would be 219 total units if this were approved when finished. He discussed traffic improvements.

The Town Planner discussed the Easton Club with 310 approved with the original PUD.

The Town Planner discussed the Mulberry Mews with 59 lots on the sub-division plat eventually totaling 105 lots.

The President of the Council discussed the shaded area on the map, which is park land, or Town owned land.

Mr. John Atwood of the Planning Commission discussed the Comprehensive Plan with 3,200 residential acres and 1,000 acres each of commercial and industrial land. He discussed whether the Town was headed towards being a breakfast community. Discussion followed on this subject.

The President of the Council stated that each annexation hearing before the Council has traffic becoming an issue. He asked how the Planning Commission describes sprawl.

The Town Planner discussed the number of people to acres and changes over the years. He stated that the Planning Commission has been going towards smaller streets and that the problem seems to be where the streets tie in.

Mr. Wright questioned another project adjacent to the Town which is an industrial park. The Town Planner discussed efforts to bring this into Town. He stated that he does not usually get calls from the County Planner for comments on properties adjacent to the Town but he does not believe there are many. He discussed October 1 being when Smart Growth came into play and discussed that all municipalities being designated as growth areas under that legislation. He discussed encirclement of the county development around Town.

Mr. Ford discussed Smart Growth and the conflict with critical area legislation.

The Town Planner discussed critical area history and the current request before the county for additional growth allocation.

Mrs. Clem questioned whether the other towns or county were invited to this meeting. The Town Planner stated that they were not. Mrs. Clem stated that the town should meet with the Planning Commission of the other municipalities, etc., on a quarterly basis. She stated that the elected officials could be educated on these issues and she did not think that the Town could put blinders on and that all of this will impact the Town.

Mr. Wright stated that the Planning Commission had their first meeting two years ago with the County Planning and Zoning and has met with the Council.

The Mayor stated that on December 15, the meeting would occur with the new County Council and the other municipalities.

The Town Planner discussed attempts by the Planning Commission to meet with the County and stated that they will meet in the future with the county.

The Mayor questioned how to handle Police Department, Fire Department, etc., with annexations.

The Town Planner stated that there is a problem needing equipment, etc., and people. He stated that hopefully, the tax base will allow the services to be provided.

Mr. Atwood discussed some counties charging impact fees.

Mr. Thomas discussed a tendency of industrial users to pay heavier than residential users in regards to tax.

Ms. Pickall questioned the Town Attorney on national averages for residential versus commercial.

The Town Attorney discussed rental housing statistics in Easton with approximately 31 – 32% of people living in rental housing units in Easton. He discussed per capita of 22% of people living in rental housing in Talbot County and an average nationally of 20%.

Mr. Ford discussed the recommendation in the Comprehensive Plan for small area plans such as Easton Point and the East End area.

Mr. Heinmuller departed the meeting at 7:00 P.M.

Mr. Ford asked the status of those small area efforts. The Town Planner stated that they are working on a Route 50 plan, a park plan and a bicycle plan. He discussed ongoing efforts.

The Town Planner discussed how difficult it is to perform all those projects while living within a budget.

Mr. Ford stated that he thinks that the Town Council would like to facilitate with those efforts. He stated that the Comprehensive Plans include ambiguity by their nature. He stated that small area plans can be successful.

The Town Planner discussed using Ms. Joyce DeLaurentis for work on the bicycle plan. The Assistant Town Planner discussed plans which they have envisioned.

Mr. John White stated that he sees annexation as most difficult to do given the State Laws. He thinks that Easton needs to plan to protect itself from county development appending the Town borders such as in Crofton. He believes that the Town should aggressively seek large tracks to annex into the Town. He suggested tax deferral and contributions as beginning when using services. He discussed water and sewer incentives. He discussed St. Michaels' issues and how projects are presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Mr. Atwood questioned how the Town is capacity wise for water and sewer. The Town Engineer stated that the Town is ready for anticipated growth.

The President of the Council asked if there were any other comments from the Council or the Planning and Zoning Commission. There were none. He stated that he had come away with some concepts tonight. He agreed with the comment that the Town does not need more meetings but a quarterly meeting between the Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission and with the County would be good. He stated that this has been attempted over the years. He stated this helps getting rid of misapprehension. He stated that this is not a public hearing tonight or a debate but he will allow some of the people gathered to comment and ask them to hold the comments to three minutes of less.

Mr. Leonard Williams, 29950 Tred Avon Drive, stated that he does not understand how Easton has no wastewater treatment facility. He discussed the January 4 Public Hearing on the annexation and rezoning hearing of Ratcliffe Manor and thinks that no one knows what is proposed.

Mr. Grunden stated that the Town does not have a capacity limitation problem currently and there is a wastewater treatment facility. He invited Mr. Williams for a tour if he would like to see how that is accomplished.

The President of the Council stated that the Ratcliffe Manor matter is before the Planning and Zoning Commission and it will be publicized when made whole.

The Town Planner discussed reasons for rezoning upon annexation from a County zoning to a Town zoning. He discussed the zoning aspects involved.

Mr. Mark Wells, 27743 Nevitt Road, discussed a Connecticut study on property taxes and offered a copy.

Mr. Al Goetz, 24420 Mallard Place, St. Michaels, a member of the Talbot County River Protection Committee, discussed the contention of no water quality testing done in Talbot County and his concerns. He questioned how the Town could proceed if they find out that could be a factor. He discussed upcoming meetings to address these issues.

Ms. Judy McLennnan, 27833 Waverly Road, discussed the Critical Area and questioned how the Town could have a PUD if houses are built on the river.

The President of the Council stated that he thinks that is a question for the Ratcliffe Manor Public Hearing.

Mr. Bain, 9704 Bantry Road, stated the presentation tonight indicates that there are approximately 2000 homes proposed. He stated that he is not concerned with the financing for police roads, sewage, etc. He questioned where the funding will come from.

Ms. Chris Shelton, 208 South Street, Oxford, discussed the American Farmland Trust and Eastern Shore being ranked No. 9 in the United States. She suggested leaving farmland as it is and the reduced costs involved with that.

Mr. Tom Hughes, 9282 Clear Farm, discussed a lack of funds to widen St. Michaels Road and the bypass. He discussed concerns with the aquifer, which feeds the Town. He stated that Easton’s sewage plant has won awards but questioned how the nutrients transferred are supposed to be reduced by 40% in the future. He discussed the closed harvest area in rivers and the lack of data on many items. He hopes that the Town considers this.

The President of the Council asked the Town Clerk to insure that a copy of these minutes is provided to the Planning Commission and the Town Council.

The President of the Council stated that he had one item of business for the Town Council which is a request for a sign from the South Beechwood Association to be placed on Town property to replace an existing sign.

Upon motion by Mrs. Clem, seconded by Mr. Ford and carried, permission was granted to place that sign.

The President of the Council thanked everyone for coming and invited them for refreshments. He adjourned the meeting at 7:30 P.M.

Town Clerk