SPECIAL JOINT PUBLIC HEARING WITH COUNTY COUNCIL

GROWTH ALLOCATION FOR EASTON VILLAGE

February 12, 2002

The Town Council met today at 6:00 P.M., at the Easton High School with members of the County Council. Those present included President of the Town Council Mr. Willey, Mr. Ford, Mr. Jensen, Mr. Reed and Ms. Jackson Amis. Members of the County Council present are Mr. Harrison, President, Mr.Dyott, Mr. Foster and Ms. Spence.

The Town Planner, Mr. Hamilton described the history. He stated that the original application had been submitted to the Town Council in August 1998 where it was submitted to the Planning and Zoning Commission for review and recommendation. The Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed that application and they returned a recommendation that the annexation of the property was consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and they further recommended that the A-1 zoning classification be applied. The property was annexed into the Town of Easton May 3, 2001. On May 20, there was an application submitted by the property owners for a 16 lot subdivision, 15 residential lots situated at the southern end of the property and one large parcel, lot 16, which made up the bulk of the property. That PUD is the PUD that we are reviewing, the Planning Commission and Town Council is reviewing and amending today.

Mr. Jensen questioned if there were 15 lots for building. Mr. Hamilton replied that this is correct.

Mr. Ford stated that Easton Planning and Zoning Commission had voted four to zero to approve with 18 conditions.

Mr. Hamilton discussed the concerns regarding affordable housing. He discussed the tie in via Glenwood Avenue and also to the existing Rails-to-Trails.

Mr. Ford discussed vehicular access to the project.

Mr. Reed stated that the developer agreed to pay all the road costs that need to be changed including the circle if that was agreed upon at the final time.

Ms. Spence questioned if there was any assurance from the State Highway Administration or Corps of Engineers that a pedestrian bridge will be permitted.

The Town Planner stated that the applicant will address that concern.

Mr. Dan Cowee read from the procedure and stated that the County Council has the authority grant growth allocation to the Town if they consider it necessary and appropriate. Mr. Cowee stated that initially, the applicants were requesting over 200 acres of growth allocation for a total of 353 dwelling units and a few acres of neighborhood commercial. This has now been modified to include 340 dwelling units, no commercial, and a request for 152.35 acres of growth allocation. In addition, there will be a 300-foot buffer from the water for the majority of the proposed development activity.

Mr. Richard Hutchison, Talbot County Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman discussed the many meetings held and the growth allocation given to each municipality. He stated that in hindsight, more should have been allocated to Easton, as it is the retail center of Talbot County. Mr. Hutchison discussed traffic concerns. He discussed other developments on or near Route 33. He discussed density for the project and stated that he would like to see increased density on this property. Mr. Hutchison recommended approval of the growth allocation.

Mr. Joe Stevens, attorney for the applicant, Elm Street Development Company, introduced Ms. Karen McJunkin, Sr. Vice President with Elm Street, Mr. David Blaha, environmental resource management principal with that firm as well as Mr. Bill Stagg of Stagg Design and Design and lane Engineering.

Mr. Stevens stated that he had provided a copy of what was recorded in the land records.

Ms. Karen McJunkin, Vice President of Elm Street Development discussed the original vision of the project. She compared a portion of the proposal to Harrison Street. She discussed the diversity of the lots and houses in the proposed project. Ms. McJunkin discussed the input from many groups and effort to accommodate conflicting desires.

Mr. Phil Foster stated that the primary concern tonight is hearing from the public. He suggested letting the public speak.

Mr. Stevens stated that many questions would be addressed by the presentation.

Ms. McJunkin discussed the various groups they have worked closely with. She discussed aggressive traffic solutions. Ms. McJunkin stated that the developers will pay for the approved improvements, 100 percent of the cost, which are estimated to come in around a half million dollars. She discussed the proposed road improvements. She discussed the impact 340 homes would have on Easton Utilities’ water and sewer system. She stated that Easton Village will construct over 1 million dollars in road improvements. Ms. McJunkin discussed the benefits the project will have for Talbot County.

Mr. Dave Blaha, consultant, from Annapolis was present to discuss the environmental concerns and the water quality issues. He stated that 82 percent of the existing forest would be preserved. Mr. Blaha discussed the plans to minimize the amount of impervious surfaces. He stated that almost two thirds of the site is going to be preserved in open space. He discussed filtration methods for runoffs. He stated that the Easton Village proposal actually is generating less pollution on a per dwelling unit basis than the TRPA alternative. This is in terms of nitrogen and phosphorus.

The President of the Council opened the floor for public comments.

Judge John North discussed a bill Governor Glendening has introduced regarding coastal bays. Judge North stated that he is present as a concerned citizen and a lifelong resident of this community. He stated that his concern is the density of the project and the potential problem with respect to polluting the nearby waters. Judge North discussed the Smart Growth and the Critical Area initiative. He stated that the problem is compounded by increased vehicular traffic. He discussed discharge into the Choptank River.

Ms. Spence discussed the County Council’s time limitation for comments and suggested Mr. Willey ask that comments be limited to three minutes due to the large crowd.

Mr. John Jessup, 24360 Widgeon Place, Martingham, St. Michaels addressed the council with environmental concerns. He discussed the number of houses planned and asked the Councils to deny the request for growth allocation.

Mr. Tom Hughes stated that the key point with regard to this project as presently configured is that it will produce an increase in nutrients going into the Choptank watershed. Mr. Hughes stated that the issue that most concerns Talbot River Protection Agency, is how many more dwelling units will be allowed to hook up to Easton’s plant before the necessary and forthcoming improvements are made in the next four to five years. Mr. Hughes asked the Councils if their priority is pollution or profit.

Mr. Ford questioned Mr. Hughes if was inferring that Easton Utilities was violating their permit. Mr. Hughes stated that no they were not in violation.

Mr. Peter Carroll, Trappe, stated that the traffic complaints are understated. He discussed traffic and sewage problems. He stated that the focus should be on affordable housing for young people. Mr. Carroll stated that the proposed park should be larger.

Dr. Callum Bain, Talbot River Protection Agency, stated that his objection was in regards to the density. He discussed the need to plan ahead for traffic. He stated that the critical area law should be rigidly applied.

Mr. Robert Welte stated his concerns for the profit Elm Street Development will be getting. He stated that the citizens should be getting something out of this. He expressed concerns regarding putting a park on mud flats.

Mr. Tom Alspach, President, Talbot Preservation Alliance, stated their problem is with the density of this project, with the magnitude of growth allocation that is being requested. He discussed the current County Comprehensive Plan. He stated that he would like to see the type of planning Mr. Ford and Mr. Jensen talked about when they spoke regarding the Royal Farms project whereby there is some sense of what’s going to happen in this community beyond simply the consummation of this project. He discussed the critical area law. Mr. Alspach discussed the density the TRPA would support. He stated that they are present to convey that they are not trying to stop development.

Discussion followed regarding the Comprehensive Plan.

Mr. Al Goetz, St. Michaels Area, Talbot County, asked the Council to vote in opposition of the Growth Allocation.

Ms. Hope Harrington discussed the agreement that was recorded with the Smith family. She discussed the trouble she perceives in our rivers. She asked the Council to give careful consideration to the request for growth allocation.

Mr. Allen Bryan, Jr., spoke in support of the project. He stated that the developers have worked to accommodate the people in the county. He stated that he feels it has a lot to offer the community.

Ms. Barbara Fox discussed her traffic concerns.

Mr. Tom Moore, Aurora Street, Easton, stated that he feels that growth allocation should be granted.

Mr. Lawrence Claggett, Talbot County, stated that he is a neighbor to this site. He asked that the Council progress for absolute reduction.

Ms. Diane Welte, spoke regarding the State of Maryland Governor’s Office of Smart Growth letter that was published in the paper. She discussed the possibility of a bridge and bike path from the proposed development to Port Street and stated that the person that wrote the letter regarding Smart Growth did not check the property that would be adjoining the bridge.

Mr. Warren Martin, Co-Chairman, Save Our St. Michaels, suggested a citizen's survey. He suggested the councils return to the drawing boards and finish the master plan review before putting anything else into motion.

Mr. Sean Callahan, Trappe, stated that this is a good place to use growth allocation. He urged the Council to grant the growth allocation so the site plan process can be fine-tuned.

Mr. James Price, President, Chesapeake Bay Ecological Foundation, discussed Easton Utilities exceeding their nutrient goal. He stated that they should have a new plant in place before granting approval.

Mr. Chris Startt, Easton, stated that he knows the people that work at the wastewater plant facility and they have no violations. He stated that he thinks that the park is a great idea and he is in favor of the project.

Ms. Betty Carroll, Trappe, stated she used to live in Kentlands and she does not think that the developers are trustworthy.

Mr. Roger Bollman, 221 S. Hanson Street, discussed the fragile Tred Avon River. He stated that the buffer should be uninterrupted along the river. He questioned traffic plans. Mr. Bollman stated that he feels the request should be denied.

Mr. Len Renkenberger, Easton discussed traffic on Kent Island and near Frederick where there are roundabouts.

Ms. Eileen Deymier, Easton, asked the council to exercise buyer beware. She discussed traffic accidents at St. Michaels Road and bypass. She stated that the State Highway Administration has not committed to a roundabout at this location. She stated that the State Highway Administration does not view these to alleviate traffic. She discussed problems regarding the building of the bridge. Ms. Deymier asked that the growth allocation request be denied.

Ms. Madeleine Ely, Easton, stated that she agrees with the smart growth program and having less homes. She expressed concerns with the schools and raising taxes.

Mr. Mark Schultz stated he lives on a sailboat on the river being discussed tonight. He stated it is a very wise thing to hold in reserve some of the very qualities that we so dearly love and which was his reason for moving to the Eastern Shore.

Mr. Jeff Adelman, Oxford, discussed infrastructure. He suggested that we demand the developers pay for the infrastructure in advance and include all the latest technologies in their developments to benefit the most.

Mr. Patrick Ward, Easton, discussed Planning and Zoning concerns that the Town Planner discussed and stated that they had not been addressed. He discussed affordable housing. Mr. Ward discussed connectedness of this development to the community.

Ms. Rebecca Ellison, Oxford stated that she was in opposition of the project. She discussed the need for medical services in the community. Ms. Ellison discussed the landfill. She asked why growth allocation is free and stated that the developers should have to pay for it.

Mr. Roger Baldwin, Woodland Farms, discussed his concerns for traffic and pollution. He stated that the river is dead because you cannot swim in it or eat fish out of it.

Mr. Wade Barnhart, Easton, stated that he feels that the growth allocation should be allocated because he feels this will help the Town of Easton and Talbot County head in the right direction towards future growth. He stated that he thinks that development lately has been stagnant, preventing enhancements that would have affected the community in a positive manner.

Ms. Ruth Donnelly, Waylands, Easton questioned where all the residents will work that live in this development. She discussed storm drainage.

Ms. Marilyn Witkoski, stated that she is actively working on the Planning Comprehensive Plan for Talbot County. She stated that we need to look at Dudrow and Elm Street as a group. She stated that the developers should help to pay for the infrastructure.

Mr. Mark Schultz, stated that he advocated no boating traffic there at all. He asked if affordable housing was included.

Mr. Joe Stevens stated that the density needs to go around the Town’s smart growth and critical areas. He discussed solving of problems and the willingness of the developer to pay. He discussed the park location and the pedestrian bridge and the conditions placed by the Planning Commission.

Ms. Jackson-Amis questioned if the developer is prepared to put houses in the development priced at $110,000. She discussed the pedestrian bridge and the walking trail and the ingress and egress of the development.

Mr. Stevens encouraged everyone to walk the Kent Island Rails-to-Trails, which he stated, goes through a degraded section of town. He stated that there is one access that is an entrance and an exit with left-hand turns, and then there is another that is just a right in, right out so there’s two access points into the development. He stated that there is a private drive that will not be part of this community.

Ms. McJunkin discussed affordable houses in the development.

Mr. Ford discussed the roundabout in the area. He discussed the developer paying for road improvements. He discussed the public parkland on the waterfront. He stated that he is in strong support for the public access across the Tred Avon. Mr. Ford discussed access to the Dudrow farm. He stated that he was sorry the commercial portion of the project was taken out because that alleviated the need for residents to get in their car and drive to get other things.

Ms. Spence questioned the public access to the waterfront. Ms. Spence stated that she has concerns about the bike path and where it crosses.

Mr. Stagg stated that the crossover had not been resolved yet.

Discussion was held on the extension of the Rails-to-Trails.

Mr. Glass, the Town Engineer discussed funding options for the Rails-to-Trails extension.

Mr. Jensen discussed the Kent development, which he stated was beautiful. He discussed density in the Lakelands subdivision. He stated that he also has concerns regarding the waterfront park for the community.

Mr. Stevens discussed the pier for the residents of the community. He stated that there will be no amenities such as gas and there will be no dredging to build the pier.

Discussion was held regarding the community pier and the access to the water.

Ms. Jamie Thompson, Easton expressed concerns about the park. She asked who would be maintaining the park and supplying the equipment.

Ms. McJunkin stated that a seven-acre park will be deeded over to the Town of Easton. The other park will be a waterfront park with covenants recorded and maintained by the Homeowner’s Association.

Ms. Madeleine Ely discussed a proposed park in her neighborhood.

The President of the Council stated that he would hold the record open until Tuesday, February 19.

Mr. Reed discussed the proposed amphitheater and the maintenance by the Town of Easton for it. Mr. Reed discussed affordable housing and the need to look at all the development that is going on.

Mr. Harrison stated that this had been an outstanding presentation by everyone. He stated that the question was whether they grant the growth allocation or not. He discussed the timeline for the request.

The President of the Council, Mr. Willey, thanked everyone for coming and staying the four hours and two minutes.

There being no further business, the President of the Council adjourned the meeting at 10:02 P.M.

Town Clerk