TOWN OF EASTON, MARYLAND
May 3, 2004
Councilmember Maureen Scott-Taylor Councilmember Moonyene Jackson-Amis
Also in attendance were Chief of Police George Harvey, Town Engineer Mr. Tim Glass, Assistant Town Engineer Mr. Joe Gruber, Town Planner Mr. Tom Hamilton, Assistant Town Planner Mr. Matt Davis, Economic Development Coordinator Mr. Al Bond and Town Clerk Mr. Robert Karge.
At 7:00 p.m., the President of the Council called the meeting to order. Mrs. Scott-Taylor led the audience in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF APRIL 15 AND APRIL 19, 2004 MEETINGS
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Mrs. Scott-Taylor, minutes of the April 15 and April 19, 2004 meetings were unanimously approved.
PRESENTATION OF RESIDENTIAL HISTORIC DISTRICT CITATIONS
Mr. Wendowski presented a Historic District Citation to Mr. and Mrs. William Cook, 5093 Jericho Road, Columbia Maryland 21044 for their 113 South Aurora Street residential property.
Ms. Jackson-Amis presented a Historic District Citation to Mr. Scott Jensen, Mrs. Andrea Poe and Ms. Catherine Poe, 523 Goldsborough Street, Easton for their 301 Goldsborough Street residential property.
EASTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
Mr. C.R. Chance presented the April end of the month report. He stated that Easton Fire Department participated in the 75th Annual Delmarva Fireman’s Parade in Parksley, Virginia and brought home top honors in the State of Maryland.
COMMENTS FROM MAYOR WILLEY
Mayor Willey stated that draft budgets have been passed out to Council members and department heads. He stated that the Town Clerk will schedule workshops for the week of May 17 and May 24 with the first workshop with Mr. Mike Morse, Director of Parks and Recreation with an update on the skate park plans.
Mayor Willey discussed the yew bush on the northwest corner of Idlewild Park which was overgrown with poison ivy and removed by the Public Works Department.
COMMENTS FROM CHIEF OF POLICE
Chief Harvey had two requests for public assembly.
Ms. Welte was present and apologized for lack of information. She stated that the complimentary champagne would only be served for one hour. Ms. Welte discussed the opening night.
Mr. Ford discussed alcohol on a public street.
Ms. Jackson-Amis asked the Town Attorney to advise if the closed street would still be considered a public street.
The Town Attorney stated that he would advise the Council regarding the Town Ordinance which prohibits the consumption of alcohol beverages on public places.
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Mrs. Scott-Taylor and carried the Chief’s recommendation for No Parking signs on South Street was unanimously approved.
PUBLIC HEARING ON THE REQUEST OF BILL STAGG ON BEHALF OF BROOKWOOD INVESTMENTS. THE PROPOSED PROJECT IS A FOUR (4) UNIT RESIDENTIAL PUD SUBDIVISION. THE PROJECT IS PROPOSED FOR LOT 13 GENERALLY LOCATED AT THE CUL-DE-SAC END OF BROOKWOOD AVENUE.
At 7:26 p.m., the President of the Council opened the public hearing.
The Town Planner discussed the project. He stated that this is the cul-de-sac behind the hospital. He stated that the Planning Commission has recommended the project and also recommended that the applicant make a contribution and enhance the dumpster with landscaping.
Mr. Bill Stagg with Lane Engineering was present on behalf of Brookwood Investments. He stated that also present are Mr. Bill Ditman and Mr. John Hurt, partners for Brookwood Investments.
Mr. Stagg discussed the PUD proposal on lot 13 at the end of Brookwood Drive. He discussed the deed covenants for the parcel. He stated that there is a mixture of single and multi-family houses on this street with a zoning of R10A whereby they are allowed 2 ½ units by right and are asking for four units. Mr. Stagg discussed the duplex designs that will probably be fee simple for sale units.
Mr. Stagg discussed the fence enclosure for trash which would house four separate trash cans.
Mr. Stagg stated that they will market in the range of $140,000 to $145,000 which is a range in Easton not currently served or in the rental range of $1,000 per month for a two bedroom unit.
Mr. Stagg stated that the applicants are prepared to discuss a contribution towards the rails-to-trails project.
Mr. Jensen questioned Mr. Stagg about landscaping the garbage area.
Mr. Stagg described the enclosure and fencing. He stated that landscaping will be added to soften the area. He stated that if the Council desires, the applicant is amenable for discussion.
Mr. Wendowski discussed his experience at the Easton Club with the trash receptacle.
Mr. Wendowski questioned the location of the entrance and a fire hydrant in the area. Mr. Stagg stated that if it is near the location, it would have to be relocated at the applicant’s expense.
Mr. Ford opened the public hearing for public comments.
The President of the Council stated that the council will receive written comments until the close of business Friday.
There being no comments, the President of the Council closed the public hearing at 7:37 p.m.
TOWN ENGINEER’S UPDATE ON EAST/WEST CONNECTOR ROAD
Mr. Tim Glass, the Town Engineer briefed on the connector road. He stated that the roadway has been identified in the recently adopted Comprehensive Plan for the Town of Easton. He stated that the engineering office is working to devise a preliminary route to alleviate traffic congestion on some other local roads.
Mr. Glass asked for insight from the Council for design elements and neighborhood impacts.
The Town Engineer asked for an executive session to discuss real estate.
The President of the Council asked for an estimated timetable for a traffic analysis from a consultant. Mr. Glass stated that that he has not seen what the costs would be but the best case scenario would be a couple months.
Mr. Jensen discussed growth areas and how much traffic could be generated.
Mr. Jensen discussed a possible footbridge to the rails-to-trails.
Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that Ms. Watkins is present this evening. She stated that she resides at 611 E. Dover Street and asked for an update on the flooding issue.
Mr. Glass stated that he has been looking at this a while and has discussed with the Assistant Town Engineer, Mr. Gruber, putting in a storm water management detention pond on an adjacent property and working through the easements to do this. He stated that they have found out by looking at the storm water management calculations, we can’t definitively say that the pond will or will not be effective for any given rainfall event. Mr. Glass stated that the pond will certainly help but it is unlikely and very improbable that the property will never experience any flooding again for a typical 10 to 20 year storm event. He stated that they are exploring other opportunities and alternatives and will report back.
The Town Attorney stated that their office has been in contact with the Easton Housing Authority and their Board of Directors have approved the notion of a storm water management pond in concept but they have expressed a desire when the plans are more finalized to take that information and go to the residents for their opinion. He stated that the process has to be worked through.
Ms. Jackson-Amis discussed seeking other alternatives should the Housing Authority decide against the storm water pond.
Mrs. Scott-Taylor referred to the east/west connector road and stated that with regards to the RTC property, there has been no decision where the road would go through. She stated that the RTC Task Force has some specific ideas about the road and she would like to bring them into the discussion when appropriate.
Mrs. Scott-Taylor discussed when it would be appropriate to bring in the traffic consultant.
COMMENTS FROM THE TOWN ENGINEER
Mr. Glass stated that he had a request from Mr. John General, Chesapeake Bay Region Technical Center of Excellence and the Upper Shore Aging to install bus stop signs associated with a grant for MDOT for the MUST and U-Star bus stops in town. He discussed the signs and stated that the Public Works could erect the signs.
It was the consensus of the Council for the Town Engineer to work with MDOT erecting signs.
The Town Engineer discussed mosquito spraying efforts.
The Town Engineer stated that Dover Road is near completion other than a final walk-through and additional landscaping. He stated that State Highway will be forwarding a document regarding the Town of Easton taking ownership of the road.
Mr. Jensen expressed his concerns regarding water drainage at 611 E. Dover Street.
Mr. Jensen discussed a situation at Mulberry Station where new houses have been built in drainage fields and water is going across yards leaving sediments in the drainage ditches.
The Town Engineer discussed sediment and water control devices in place and monitored by the Maryland Department of Environment during construction. The Town Engineer stated that he will look more into the specifics but typically has been accommodated with the development.
The Town Attorney stated that the Town Engineer and he will report back to Mr. Jensen.
COMMENTS BY THE TOWN PLANNER
The Town Planner discussed the upcoming Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.
The Town Planner stated that the Planning and Zoning Commission has forwarded a recommendation for one amendment to the PMR District partially relieving or reducing the cap for certain specific situations, 65,000 square foot major retail cap. Mr. Hamilton stated that he has advertised for a public hearing on that amendment at the Council’s May 17 meeting at 7:15 p.m.
COMMENTS FROM THE TOWN ATTORNEY
The Town Attorney requested an Executive Session for the advice of Legal Counsel.
COMMENTS FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
Mr. Bond reminded everyone that the First Friday Night Gallery Walks are going on. He stated that the Tidewater Inn is having an open house to show the public the recent improvements made so far.
CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR REMCO PROPERTIES LLC FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF MIXED USE PMR
The President of the Council opened the public hearing for the continuation and consensus of the application of Remco Properties, LLC (the owner/developer) for the development of a 51.5 acres mixed use PMR located north of St. Michaels Road (Maryland Route 33) and west of Maryland Route 322 (Easton Parkway). The property is presently in the Limited Commercial (CL) zoning district and includes a critical area overlay classification of resource conservation area (RCA) on a small portion which is not proposed to include any development. The request is to classify the 51.5 acre tract to PMR to accommodate a mixed use project which will include a hotel, restaurants, retail shops, office space and a bank. The critical area zoning will remain unchanged.
Mr. Ford stated that discussion should continue on impact fees and how they might affect this application, east/west connector road, should there be an affordable housing contribution from this application, concerns from public comments about the effect of this development on the town center; specifically the retail of the town center and the Tidewater Inn. Mr. Ford stated that there were also written comments an additional concern regarding construction and storm water management.
Mr. Wendowski discussed the shopping center being a regional center. He referred to page 78 on the Comprehensive Plan.
Mr. Sandy McAllister, on behalf of the various partners in the Dudrow’s Farm Development discussed the tenants’ anticipation of the market. He stated that they expressed that the market more than adequately supports their expectations. Mr. McAllister stated that one of the unique design features of this project is the first phase of the east/west corridor. Mr. McAllister discussed the planned infrastructure with the development. He stated that the developers are also willing to make an investment in the amount of $25,000 toward the east/west connector analysis to be applied as the Council sees fit. Mr. McAllister discussed impact fees and excise taxes. He stated that the developer has authorized him to memorialize on the record that they are willing to pay the impact fees or excise tax however and whenever applied by the town. Mr. McAllister discussed calculations for fees and taxes. He stated that they strongly support the conception of dedicating a portion of impact fees for affordable housing.
Ms. Jackson-Amis clarified Mr. McAllister’s narrative of the developers’ contribution.
Mr. Wendowski asked if there are changes in the Ordinance, would the developer comply with the new ordinances. Mr. McAllister stated that they will.
Mr. Wendowski asked if the project could come back to the Council after Planning and Zoning Commission.
Mr. Jensen discussed the hotel. Mr. McAllister stated that the hotel is not currently part of the first phase.
Mr. Bond clarified Easton’s market area. He stated that we are supporting approximately 120,000 people.
Mr. Hamilton stated that they have not seen hotel elevations. Mr. Wendowski stated that he would be comfortable with the Planning and Zoning Commission’s review.
Mr. Ford reviewed the applicant’s response to the Council’s concerns.
Mr. Ford asked for a Council consensus.
Mr. Jensen stated that he is for the project and is very happy to support it.
Mr. Wendowski stated that he is willing to support it.
Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that she thinks that the project is a good one. She stated that the affordable housing question is important to her and wants a concrete, absolute plan before she says yes to this project. She stated that $25,000 is not sufficient from her point of view.
Mr. Ford stated that he will support the project with the offers that have been made by the applicant.
At 8:35 p.m., the President of the Council closed the public hearing.
RECESS
The President of the Council recessed the regularly scheduled meeting for five minutes.
RECONVENE
At 8:43 p.m., the President of the Council reconvened the regularly scheduled meeting.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT INSURANCE TRUST BOARD OF TRUSTEES – ELECTION AND BALLOT
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Mr. Wendowski, the recommended nominees were unanimously approved.
COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL
Mrs. Scott-Taylor stated that the RTC Task Force will be at the May 17 meeting to update the Council on their progress.
Mr. Jensen thanked the Council for the Historic District Citation.
Mr. Wendowski stated that he attended the multi-cultural festival at Idlewild Park and it was well done.
Ms. Jackson-Amis thanked the Town Clerk, Mr. Karge, the office staff and Easton Utilities for hosting Master Calvin Murray on Take a Child to Work Day.
Ms. Jackson-Amis reminded everyone about Open Mike Night at Be a Star on Friday evening.
Ms. Priscilla Morris, South Street, discussed the Preservation Maryland Annual Conference she attended in Frederick this weekend representing Historic Easton. She stated that Easton was represented at the awards ceremony for one of eight statewide awards for Structural Rehabilitation. Ms. Morris stated that the Tred Avon Building was given an award by Preservation Maryland and the Historical Trust for that restoration.
Ms. Morris discussed an education series Historical Easton is beginning with the public.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 8:50 p.m., upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Mrs. Scott-Taylor and unanimously carried, the President of the Council convened the regularly scheduled meeting to go into
Executive Session.
At 9:45 p.m., the President of the Council closed the Executive Session.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously, the President of the Council adjourned the regularly scheduled meeting at 9:46 p.m.
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Town Clerk