November 8, 2004
TOWN OF EASTON, MARYLAND
East/West Connector Road & RTC Property Workshop
Councilmember Leonard E. Wendowski
Also in attendance were the Town Engineer Tim Glass, Town Planner Tom Hamilton and Town Clerk Robert Karge.
The President of the Council called the workshop meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
WORKSHOP MEETING
He stated that the meeting will focus on three items:
EAST/WEST CONNECTOR ROAD
Size of Road
Mr. Jensen discussed what the road is to look like. He discussed the capacity of the road and what the road is to handle.
1) Small road: the road could be a relatively small road on the order of Hanson Street and can be designed to carry only a fraction of e/w traffic through Easton.
2) Medium road: the road would be something like Aurora or Washington Street. Such a road would carry a fraction of e/w burden analogous to the north/south burden carried to Washington Street.
3) Big road: a road like this would be akin to Marlborough Road and would be big enough to absorb much of the town’s e/w traffic.
Mr. Jensen stated that he felt the road should be a big road with more traffic going through the commercial area.
Mr. Ford discussed the physical limitations.
The Town Engineer stated that in certain segments it is possible to make the road large but in other areas such as Magnolia Street, there are constraints with abutting property. He stated that the east/west road is not going to solve all the east/west movements through town. Mr. Glass stated that one thing to consider is what kind of access will be allowed. Mr. Glass discussed future considerations for the road and traffic access.
Mr. Ford stated that from his standpoint, the east/west connector road being considered from Marlboro Road through RTC serves the community best if viewed as an additional option to get east to west with the ultimate big road being an improvement at the northern intersection of Route 322 and Route 50.
Mr. Glass discussed a traffic study that would look at the number of vehicles anticipated being on that roadway. Mr. Glass discussed an alternative road with a smaller cross-section, two lanes, and 25 miles per hour road. The Town Engineer stated that the philosophy needs to drive the size of the road but capacity also needs to drive the size which won’t be known until the numbers from the traffic study come back.
Mr. Wendowski stated that he thinks we need to think about a street about the size of Washington Street.
It was the consensus that the road should be medium sized with 6’ or 8’ shoulders, paved with curb and gutter and providing bicycle access on one side with the option to expand to a third lane if a right turn is needed at an intersection.
Funding for East/West Connector Road
Mr. Jensen stated that impact fees will not be the sole source of funding for this project. He stated that approved developments will contribute to the road. He stated that the Town Engineer estimates the road to roughly cost $8 million. The Town Engineer stated that this figure does not include any land acquisition. Mr. Jensen stated that Mayor Willey is estimating closer to $10 million. He stated that the Mayor has discussed a $15 million bond; $10 million of which would go to the E/W road and $5 million of which would go to other capital projects he believes are important. While interest rates are low, he would like the Town to take out the $15 million bond. The payments on such a bond no matter by what source they are paid comes to about $1.4 million a year. Mr. Jensen stated that according to the Mayor, if the Town can come up with other revenue sources that can cover the payments on $6 million worth of bonds with tax revenues, which means that the Town would need to generate funds to deal with approximately $9 million dollars of the total $15 million bond.
Mr. Jensen discussed the fiscal position with regard to the east/west road.
The Town Clerk discussed the availability of bond funds.
Mr. Jensen discussed impact fees, developer contributions, sale of town property and money already pegged for capital projects.
Mr. Hamilton stated that there are no impact fees in place today. He stated that he received an application for a 160,000 square foot Lowe’s store today.
Mayor Willey suggested a consensus on the concept of these things and then researching for the availability of funds.
Mr. Ford asked if the Council sees a need for the east/west connector road and if they would want to move forward but realize the present financial scenario is inadequate and would like to have the Mayor and staff search for alternative funding suggestions.
Mayor Willey stated that the Council also has to agree to the concept of doing the project in sections with a realistic time frame of when it may be finished and prioritize which section to do first.
Ms. Jackson-Amis asked if all the impact fee money is being earmarked for this road.
Mr. Jensen stated that only the transportation portion would receive any impact fee.
Mr. Ford stated that the Council needs to reach a consensus for the Mayor.
Mayor Willey stated that we will also be looking for funding sources for the Police Department expansion plus the infrastructure improvements that we need on Dover Street and possibly some storm drainage issues.
Ms. Jackson-Amis asked if the Town is in any kind of difficulty or heading through difficulty in over investing in this source of borrowing.
The Town Clerk stated that we currently have no problems paying off the bonds however, with any debt, if you overextend yourself you can ultimately make the payments so high that you have to cut out a number of your other activities. Mr. Karge stated that it is a matter more of balancing the revenue streams with the available funds to pay these bonds as they go out.
Ms. Jackson-Amis asked if it would make sense to have the Mayor to ask the other legislative sources about a definite amount or some money that we could see from them first. She stated that she does not see why we have to vote on something tonight to bind ourselves. Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that she would like to see Mayor Willey tackle the problem from the funding aspect first and then report back what we are able to do.
Mayor Willey stated that he does not want to do that unless there was general support from the Council.
Mr. Wendowski asked if this would put the Town of Easton at our bonding limit.
Mr. Karge stated that we don’t have a bonding limit. He stated that if it becomes a political issue of how much money do you intend to take out of the available resources to pay debt. Mr. Karge stated that if you are willing to cut the departments in half, we would do that.
Mr. Ford stated that what we are talking about now is if we have additional expenses to the Town because of this, whether it is a bond or whatever, it is going to try to be met with additional source of revenue that is not there now.
Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that she does not want to do anything to send the taxes off the roof.
Mr. Jensen stated that the good news is that there is a fairly decent chance that we can come up with the funds.
Ms. Scott-Taylor stated that there is a better chance of getting funds if you have a specific project.
WHOLE PROJECT OR PARTS
Mr. Ford asked if we should look at this as a full project or phases. He stated that financially, we will have to tackle this in phases but at a planning standpoint, it is prudent to look at it as an entire project so we will need staff to recommend what we should go after first.
Mr. Wendowski stated that our bond rate could go up significantly when our cash flow sheet is reviewed.
TIMETABLE
Mr. Ford stated that this may be a bit premature to talk about at this time.
The Town Engineer stated that the next step is to marry the cost estimates with the feasibility study to determine how much money is really needed.
CHAPEL FARMS DEVELOPMENT
Mr. Ford stated that the Planning office has completed plans for the completion of the Chapel Farms Development.
The Town Planner discussed the plans to finish the development with 26 lots and a neighborhood park. He stated the design they submitted is a continuation of the previously designed subdivision.
Mr. Ford stated that the RTC Task Force stated that finishing off the development was one of their priorities.
Discussion of acres for development was discussed.
Mr. Wendowski asked if the lots match the existing lot sizes. The Town Planner stated that they do.
Mr. Ford asked how we move forward with this project.
Mayor Willey stated that additional discussion should take place with the Town Attorney.
Mr. Wendowski stated that the completion of Chapel Hill farms would give the Town additional funds to work with. He stated that he is in full support of it.
Mr. Jensen asked if it would make sense to incorporate this site with the Lepedius property for a PRD and get more density.
Mr. Ford stated that knowing the past history of this subdivision and remembering the issues with the extension of Laurel Street, he asked if we move forward with the finishing of the development of the Chapel Farms subdivision, how do we move forward? He stated that he would like to hear from constituents; especially those directly affected.
Ms. Scott-Taylor stated that she would like to go back to the Chapel Farms Homeowners Association as they expect a report from her.
Mr. Ford suggested a meeting be scheduled with Ms. Scott-Taylor, the Chapel Farms Homeowners Association and the RTC Task Force.
Mayor Willey suggested emphasizing that this is just one option of what may be many.
Ms. Jackson-Amis discussed the Town Attorney’s memo dated November 8 and asked if a developer has come forward in regards to buying the land.
Open space requirements were discussed.
Mayor Willey discussed options with developers.
Mr. Ford asked Ms. Scott-Taylor to pursue a meeting with Chapel Farms and RTC Task Force.
Mr. Ford stated that we need clarification from the Town Attorney regarding what options we have in order to move forward.
RTC PROPERTY
Ms. Scott-Taylor introduced the members of the RTC Task Force present tonight: Ms. Libby Dawkins, Ms. Michelle Osbourne and Ms. Peggy Ford. Ms. Scott-Taylor discussed their meetings and the site visit last March. Ms. Scott-Taylor discussed their vision for the RTC property. Ms. Scott-Taylor discussed Tanyard Branch and stated that they thought about making the environmentally sensitive property into a living classroom and isolating it from the rest of the park.
The Town Engineer stated that the Town’s involvement with the Army Corps of Engineers is virtually dead due to funding. He discussed alternative funding options.
Ms. Scott-Taylor stated that the east/west connector road would divide the property.
Ms. Scott-Taylor discussed parking and common themes for the park. She stated that they considered a pond area, a track, and benches and envisioned it as an open space with elevations and places to hike and throw Frisbees with maybe an outdoor amphitheater. Ms. Scott-Taylor stated that they think it is an absolute asset to have the area with access to Rails-to-Trails and Route 50. She stated that number one on their list is to make the park dog friendly. Ms. Scott-Taylor stated that they envisioned nature trails connecting different venues with pavilions and grills. She stated that they discussed the necessity of a police substation at that end of Town. She stated that they discussed tennis courts. Ms. Scott-Taylor stated that they definitely need to name the park.
Ms. Jackson-Amis suggested that the Mayor find funding.
The President of the Council stated that dependent upon the discussion with the Chapel Farms residents, a recommendation from the RTC Task Force would be the next step.
Mr. Jensen stated that Mr. Delaporte thought that if we do nothing else with the RTC property, right now, that we work on the outskirts of it, so that when people walk by it, the park be defined as a park. He stated that if residents know it is a park, you would get more input regarding the property.
Mr. Glass stated that this be considered in the upcoming budget for the public works department.
Ms. Scott-Taylor stated that Mrs. Ford suggested having school children suggest names for the park.
COMMENTS
The President of the Council stated that the next workshop meeting will be December 13 and the subject will be affordable housing.
Mayor Willey stated that there are monies coming in for the Housing Trust and a consensus is needed regarding what should be established.
It was the consensus of the Council to have the Town Attorney draft the necessary paperwork for the Housing Trust. Mayor Willey stated that the Council needs to discuss issues to be considered in the agreement.
The President of the Council discussed including information regarding affordable housing in the Zoning Ordinance.
The Town Planner stated that the Town Attorney should be consulted regarding information in the Zoning Ordinance.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further discussion, the President of the Council adjourned the workshop at 7:53 p.m.
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Town Clerk