TOWN OF EASTON, MARYLAND
January 19, 2005
Councilmember Maureen Scott-Taylor Councilmember Moonyene Jackson-Amis
Also in attendance were the Town Attorney Mr. Kehoe, Chief Blue, Town Engineer Mr. Glass, Town Planner Mr. Hamilton, and Mr. Karge, the Town Clerk.
At 7:00 p.m., the President of the Council called the meeting to order. Ms. Scott-Taylor opened the meeting with prayer and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JANUARY 3 AND JANUARY 10, 2005 MEETINGS
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously, minutes of the January 3 and January 10, 2005 meetings were approved as written.
EASTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Mr. C.R. Chance was present with the 2004 year end report. He stated that the top responder was Randy Chance with 510 responses. Mr. Chance stated that the steel has arrived for the substation.
Mayor Willey asked that Chief Knotts set up a schedule to put the bell tower back up.
ITEMS BY MAYOR WILLEY
Mayor Willey stated that Governor Ehrlich will be in town Friday at the Historical Society auditorium and will be making Community Legacy Grant Awards.
APPROVAL OF INVOICES TOTALING $1,288,328.46
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously, invoices totaling $1,288,328.46 were approved for payment.
ITEMS BY THE CHIEF OF POLICE
Chief Blue discussed the hazardous roads and stated that there had been several accidents today.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN ENGINEER
The Town Engineer, Mr. Glass stated that the Maryland Department of the Environment Water Quality Infrastructure Program has a new program with an application for storm drain projects. He stated that they intend to send in an application seeking funds for the East Dover Street project. Mr. Glass stated that they will be loan funds at zero percent interest.
Mr. Glass stated that work continues at the waste water treatment facility with construction breaking ground and underway.
Mr. Glass stated that he has been doing cost estimates for the east/west collector road. He stated that he plans to have something more definitive by the end of this month.
Mr. Glass discussed Public Works Departments’ snow removal efforts.
Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that she has a concern from Mr. Arthur Brooks, a disabled citizen. He stated that for several years he has been requesting handicap sidewalk repair on Federal and West Street. Mr. Brooks indicated that there is one wheelchair entrance on the side near the courthouse and otherwise, he has no way to cross the street unless he travels.
The Town Engineer stated that there are three corners of that intersection that are planned to be completed in the upcoming months. He discussed the capital budget line item for handicapped ramp installations and that is one of the intersections that will be done. Mr. Glass stated that it should be scheduled the end of February or March due to temperatures and having to pour concrete.
Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that Mr. Brooks stated that sometimes he goes to the driveway and drivers won’t stop anyway. She questioned if anything else could be done.
Mr. Glass stated that he will look at the area to see how well the crosswalks are marked from a visibility standpoint and consider maybe another bollard at the courthouse.
Ms. Jackson-Amis discussed citizens’ concerns at the Historic District expansion meetings. She stated that there has been an outstanding request for curb and gutters in Hammond town with no response.
Mr. Glass stated that this area is in the Capital Budget this year for typical street reconstruction; paving, storm drainage upgrades and curb, gutter and sidewalks. He stated that it has been on the list and has moved up and should be satisfied this year. He hopes to have the projects completed late spring.
ITEMS FROM THE TOWN PLANNER
Mr. Hamilton, the Town Planner stated that the Planning Commission meets tomorrow at 1:00 in the Council room. He discussed their agenda.
The President of the Council made a motion for a conditional approval based on the recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Mayor’s approval seconded by Mr. Wendowski.
Ms. Jackson-Amis asked if the funding source for the architectural standards project is a gift.
Mayor Willey stated that it is.
The motion to proceed was unanimously approved.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN ATTORNEY
The Town Attorney discussed the annexation for West Glenwood. He asked that the documents be introduced tonight in order to schedule the public hearing.
WEST KENNEDY ANNEXATION
The President of the Council introduced the following legislation:
Resolution No. 5848, “A RESOLUTION TO ANNEX CERTAIN LANDS TO THE TOWN OF EASTON LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF MARYLAND ROUTE 322 AND CONSISTING OF 30.192 ACRES OF LAND, MORE OR LESS, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE ANNEXATION.”
Resolution No. 5849, “A RESOLUTION TO CREATE A SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT ENCOMPASSING CERTAIN LANDS IN THE TOWN OF EASTON LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF MARYLAND ROUTE 322 AND CONSISTING OF 30.192 ACRES OF LAND, MORE OR LESS, FOR THE FINANCING OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE AREA.”
Councilmember Mr. Jensen introduced Ordinance No. 480, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF THE TOWN OF EASTON TO APPLY AN ORIGINAL ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF R-7A (RESIDENTIAL) AND I-1 (SELECT INDUSTRIAL) TO A PARCEL OF LAND ANNEXED TO THE TOWN OF EASTON LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF MARYLAND ROUTE 322 CONSISTING OF 30.192 ACRES OF LAND, MORE OR LESS.”
The President of the Council referred Resolution No. 5848, 5849 and Ordinance No. 480 to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a recommendation.
PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL DEPARTS
At 7:24 p.m., the President of the Council departed the regularly scheduled Council meeting and asked Ms. Jackson-Amis to assume the position of President of the Council due to a conflict of interest in the following matter.
CONSENSUS ON THE REQUEST OF WILLIAM B. STAGG ON BEHALF OF OWNER, FRANK SALISBURY FOR A PUD PROJECT CONVERTING AN OLD MOVING AND STORAGE BUILDING INTO FIVE RENTAL APARTMENTS LOCATED ON A .67 ACRE SITE.
Ms. Jackson-Amis discussed the project.
Mr. Jensen discussed Mr. Salisbury’s discussions with the residents. Mr. Jensen stated that this will revitalize an eyesore and he is in favor of the project.
Ms. Scott-Taylor stated that Mr. Salisbury’s plans are good and she likes that he took into consideration the concerns of his neighbors. Ms. Scott-Taylor stated that she is in favor of the project.
Mr. Wendowski stated that from the discussion and what has been presented, it will be a great change for that area. Mr. Wendowski stated that he would like it to be a part of the Findings of Fact that Mr. Salisbury agreed to make these single family rentals. He stated that this is an excellent project.
Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that the letters from the neighbors impressed her. She asked that at least one of the units be defined as affordable. Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that with that condition, she supports the project.
The Town Attorney asked if the affordable housing condition is something that at least three council members agree upon.
Ms. Scott-Taylor stated that she does not agree as the policy discussed was for ten units or more and this project is five units.
Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that this is a rental property and the ten units or more was for another type of housing. She stated that the opportunity Mr. Salisbury is being provided has a measured responsibility as it would for anyone else. Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that Mr. Salisbury stated that he would look into this request of reducing from the $1,000 to $1,500 to what would seem reasonable. She asked that this condition be included in the Findings of Facts.
Mr. Jensen stated that he agrees with Ms. Scott-Taylor and that this project is tiny and Mr. Salisbury’s bonus was eaten up when he agreed to shrink the project by several units in order to satisfy the neighbors. Mr. Jensen stated that he does not want to make it a condition of the Findings of Facts.
Mr. Wendowski stated that the original project was for nine units but because of the concerns of the neighbors, he reduced the project to five units. Mr. Wendowski stated that he thinks Mr. Salisbury will endeavor to meet this request if he can and he doesn’t want to hold him to this.
Ms. Jackson-Amis asked to Council to beware of the precedent being set.
Mr. Wendowski stated that the Council approved 30 units with no affordable housing. He suggested that the Council start moving on impact fees.
At 7:30 p.m., Ms. Jackson-Amis concluded the comments for the PUD project located at 22 Plum Street.
At 7:31 p.m., the President of the Council, Mr. Ford returned to the meeting.
MR. TED PASSYN TO ADDRESS COUNCIL REGARDING TWO OAKS PROJECT
Ms. Jackson-Amis asked if Mr. Passyn has anything new to bring before the Council. She stated that she has a problem with procedure.
Mr. Ford stated that he has every right as with any citizen within the Town of Easton that has asked to be on the agenda to address the Council. Mr. Ford stated that it is appropriate.
Ms. Jackson-Amis discussed the determination that has been made on the project and stated that it cannot come before the Council for a year and if he is doing that, the Council should not entertain that.
Mr. Ford stated that he could not rule on anything unless he knew what Mr. Passyn was going to address.
Mr. Passyn stated that he was present to talk about the process that he has just gone through and put his family through going on the last six years. He discussed the many meetings that he has gone through. Mr. Passyn stated that the process of this PUD is a failed process. He stated that when this land was originally annexed, it was asked to be annexed as A-1 to be used for a neo-traditional smart growth project. Mr. Passyn stated that they followed that process through. He discussed the economics of this project. He stated that this project cost him between $1,000 and $1,300 per day whether he did anything with the land or not. In addition to these costs, Mr. Passyn stated that there is planning with guidance from Council, Planning and Zoning Commission and concerned citizens. Mr. Passyn stated that with this entire process, they have spent almost a million dollars with architects and consultants. He discussed the vote from the original annexation being 3-2 with Mr. Reed and Ms. Jackson-Amis voting no. Mr. Passyn discussed things in the Comprehensive Plan that he thinks apply to their project.
Mr. Passyn stated that the east/west collector road became a large part of the process. He discussed the cost variations in the plans for the road.
Mr. Passyn stated that he thinks that the Town as in the elected officials has a responsibility to put people on the Planning Board that is an appointed position that are actually truly of the Council’s thinking. He stated that there is no connection between Planning and Council. Mr. Passyn stated that they went through the process and brought in numerous consultants. He stated that the Council has the responsibility and fairness to push this process in a much more expedited pace.
Mr. Passyn thanked the Council for hearing his concerns.
Ms. Scott-Taylor stated that the Town lost an opportunity when it lost Two Oaks to provide housing for the most overlooked sector in this community; the middle class, the health care workers, the teachers, the police officers and our service industry employees who will have to continue to travel outside the county if they want to buy a home. She stated that they will still drive on our roads, cross Route 50 and go down Goldsborough Street or Dover Street to come to work and it is really a shame that they cannot afford to live here.
Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that we keep talking about the most overlooked in this community and we just rejected an opportunity for affordable rental. She stated that if it is important in one instance, it should be important in every opportunity that we have. Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that she is sorry that the Passyns were involved in a very long process. She stated that she was consistent and voted no in the beginning partly due to the traffic although they did satisfy the affordable housing element. Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that she hated the fact that she lost 54 affordable housing units and she had to weigh all things in her final determination.
Ms. Jackson-Amis discussed an article in the paper stating that Mr. Jensen and Ms. Jackson-Amis held meetings regarding the Historic District expansion. She stated that she did not recognize her meeting in the article and it was excellent as was Mr. Jensen’s. Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that due to the meeting, they were able to dispel some misguided notions and correct some erroneous information and calm some fears. She stated that they changed some minds and some minds they were unable to change but what resonated with her; it has been the interest of diversified community to understand what it means to expand the District and try to understand how to do this without losing their authority over their own property so there is reason for continued discussion. Ms. Jackson-Amis urged those that are able to come to the meeting tomorrow and hear the discussion. She stated that she plans to have an additional meeting following this so individuals in the community can become more informed and be prepared for the public hearing.
REQUEST FROM FASHION FOR THE ARTS TO HANG BANNER ON THE FRONT FAÇADE OF THE TIDEWATER INN PROMOTING THE SECOND ANNUAL FASION FOR THE ARTS FASHION SHOW ON APRIL 30 TO BENEFIT CRICKET THEATER CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously, permission was granted to hang the banner if the request was permitted by the Tidewater Inn.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, upon motion by Ms. Scott-Taylor seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously the President of the Council adjourned the regularly scheduled meeting at 7:55 p.m.
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Town Clerk