TOWN OF EASTON, MARYLAND
Easton Town Hall
14 S. Harrison Street
September 19, 2005
Councilmember Maureen Scott-Taylor Councilmember Moonyene Jackson-Amis
Also in attendance was Chief Blue, Assistant to the Town Engineer Mr. Hause, Town Planner Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Al Bond Economic Development Coordinator, Director Parks and Recreation Mr. Sviatko, Assistant Town Attorney Ms. VanEmburgh and Mr. Robert Karge, the Town Clerk.
At 7:00 p.m., the President of the Council, Mr. Ford 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 SEPTEMBER 6, 2005 MEETINGS
Upon motion by Ms. Scott-Taylor seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously; minutes of the meetings were approved as written.
EASTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Mr. Tim Knotts was present with the Fire Department’s monthly report.
Mr. Ken Bush, Chairman of the Future Committee, in appreciation for the substation, presented the Mayor, Council and Department Heads with commemorative steins.
ITEMS BY MAYOR WILLEY
The Vice President of Real Estate for WaWa and their design crew will meet with the Town Attorney and Town Officials on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. in the Council’s Chambers.
A proposal from Davis, Bowen and Friedel, an Engineering firm from Salisbury will be in the next Council packet for consideration in the interim until a new Town Engineer is appointed.
The synchronization of the lights on Route 50 should be complete the first week of November.
Road construction and additional lanes for Route 50 should begin May 2006 and is expected to take over a year to complete. A formal meeting will take place in October to see the plans.
(Mayor Willey departed the meeting at 7:10 p.m.)
ITEMS BY THE CHIEF OF POLICE
Chief Blue asked for Council approval for the following events:
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen, seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously, Chief Blue’s recommendation was approved.
Mr. Gelson Brooks, Easton High School, contacted the Police Department regarding traffic and parking problems in the area of Easton High School primarily during evening after school activities. He stated that Easton High School is requesting approval for three ADA handicapped parking spaces along the Mecklenburg Avenue side immediately adjacent to school property and striping placed near the end of the road to deviate parking in that area.
Mr. Brooks was present and stated that there is ADA parking available at the school and auditorium but this is to accommodate physically challenged motorists that are attending events at the stadium.
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Jackson-Amis and carried unanimously, approval was granted for the parking changes.
Ms. Jackson-Amis requested parking considerations for the upcoming African American Heritage Weekend October 20 through October 22.
Chief Blue encouraged the use of the parking area by the police department and District Court. He asked Ms. Jackson-Amis to contact him to confirm arrangements.
ITEMS BY THE ASSISTANT TO THE TOWN ENGINEER
State Highway Administration will be in contact with the Town of Easton regarding a Route 50 project meeting.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN PLANNER
The Planning and Zoning Commission will meet October 20.
The Board of Appeals will meet September 26.
The Town Planner stated that the Draft Zoning Ordinance will be forwarded back to the Council now that their suggestions have been incorporated.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN ATTORNEY
Ms. VanEmburgh, Assistant Town Attorney asked for an Executive Session regarding business relocation or expansion.
ITEMS BY THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
The Community Legacy deadline is December 1. Mr. Bond asked that a workshop be scheduled to rank the projects.
The President of the Council set the workshop for October 12 at 6:00 p.m.
(Mr. Bond departed the meeting to attend the DBED meeting at the Welcome Center.)
PETITION FOR ANNEXATION FROM LONDONDERRY RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously, the President of the Council referred the petition, resolution for annexation and the ordinance for zoning to the Planning and Zoning Commission for review.
PUBLIC HEARING ON THE REQUEST OF THE ARTERY GROUP, LLC FOR AN AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF PROPERTY GENERALLY LOCATED NORTH OF THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS FACILITY ON GLEBE ROAD BETWEEN THE EASTON MARKETPLACE SHOPPING CENTER AND ASHBY PARK SUBDIVISION. THE PROPERTY IS OWNED BY MEARS PROPERTIES LLC AND 373 GLEBE ROAD LLC AND INCLUDES A TOTAL OF 13.66 ACRES. THE REQUEST IS TO RECLASSIFY THE PROPERTY FROM R-7A (RESIDENTIAL) TO PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (PUD). THE PROJECT PROPOSED IS A 90 UNIT RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT MADE UP OF 8 SINGLE FAMILY DETACHED UNITS, 28 ATTACHED FRONT LOADED VILLA UNITS AND 54 TOWNHOUSE LOTS WITH ALLEY ACCESS.
At 7:59 p.m., the President of the Council opened the Public Hearing.
The Town Planner discussed the history of the project.
Mr. Bill Stagg, Lane Engineering was present on behalf of the applicant. Mr. Stagg introduced Mr. Matthew Murphy, Vice President with the Artery Organization and Jim and Clarence Ketler, Ketler Brothers Homes, the builder for the project.
Mr. Murphy stated that the community represents over 18 months worth of work and input from all members of the community. He stated that this is a plan that is a result of a community meeting held in June. Mr. Murphy stated that this development is a breakdown of mixed use consisting of 8 single family detached units, 28 villa units and 45 interior townhouse units with detached garages and 9 affordable units. He discussed the location of the development and the challenge to encompass smart growth. Mr. Murphy stated that they addressed access and safety coming in and out of the community. He discussed traffic, calming devices and future accesses to Marlboro Avenue and possibly through the VFW property. Mr. Murphy discussed density and buffers to make for a better community. He stated that he thinks the project will be an asset to the community.
(Mayor Willey returned at 8:01 p.m.).
Mr. Bill Stagg stated that the property is zoned R7A, highest residential district and is permitted to have 7500 square foot single family lots or could ask for up to eight units per acre of multi family housing or 109 units on this property. He stated that they are proposing 90 with some open space. He stated that this is an infill opportunity and should be developed at a fairly dense rate but must be compatible with the neighborhood and serve that function.
Mr. Stagg stated that the plan before the Council tonight is due to the meetings with the neighborhood. He stated that this plan reflects Easton’s gridded street system, a plan connected at multiple access points to allow traffic to disburse from the development, a plan identifiable if you were driving and wanted to visit. He stated that there are alleys serving most of the units, parking taken off the streets and resembles the way Easton plans to go with this type of land use pattern. Mr. Stagg discussed the protection of neighbors along Glebe Road. He discussed the collaborative effort with Lowe’s and Food Lion regarding the road into the development. Mr. Stagg discussed the usable green space within the development. He stated that there is an improved green space with a tot park that the developer intends to accomplish. Mr. Stagg stated that the VFW wants a fence on their property line for security purposes and to discourage cut-throughs. Mr. Stagg stated that there is a garage encroaching on their property they intend to re-build for a neighbor. He discussed the architecture and the elevations for this project.
Mr. Stagg discussed the stormwater management system. He stated that it ties to the Lowe’s system and outfalls to a pipe that Lowe’s is going to install between Food Lion and Lowe’s. Except for that, all the stormwater is managed on site using a combination of bio-retention and bio-swales back in the area between Lowe’s and some of the townhouses. He stated that the water will be collected and treated for quality. There may also be some underground storage. There will also be quantity management with a pond to outflow into a pipe that flows southward.
Mr. Stagg stated that traffic has been studied for the overall project. He referred to the Lowe’s traffic study and stated that they had their traffic numbers when they did their study. Mr. Stagg stated that there are substantial improvements happening on St. Michaels Road and the bypass from Ratcliffe Manor Drive past the Dudrow Farm easing some traffic issues. He stated that this project will have $300,000 to $400,000 of impact fees that this project is going to pay that will pay for traffic improvements if needed in this area.
Mr. Wendowski asked if the Planning Commission approved the 21% green space instead of the 30% required.
Mr. Stagg stated that the Planning Commission is aware and like the way the open space is programmed and utilized.
Mr. Wendowski asked if they houses are stick built.
Mr. Stagg stated that they are but may have some components such as the walls that are brought in.
Mr. Wendowski asked if there would be a homeowner’s association. Mr. Stagg stated that there would be.
The park and the maintenance were discussed.
Mr. Wendowski stated he has concerns with the alternative entrance/exit road.
Ms. Scott-Taylor thanked the developer for coming to the community and listening to their concerns. She stated that she is concerned about the traffic and would like to see a stand alone traffic study that is not in conjunction with Lowe’s. She stated that her other concern is that she would like to have seen single family homes all along the street on the right when you come in. Ms. Scott-Taylor stated that this is a project we can be proud of and a good example of infill development. She stated she likes the architecture and likes what is done in the back.
Discussion occurred regarding the affordable houses.
Mr. Murphy stated that the pricing for the single family homes would be approximately 2,400 to 2,800 square feet and the cost will be what the market bears. In today’s prices the houses would be in the mid to upper $300,000s; the villas would be approximately 1,900 to 2,300 square feet and would be priced in the low $300,000s and the townhouses would be 1,800 to 2,100 square feet and would be priced in the upper $200,000s.
Mr. Murphy stated that they are looking forward to dialogue regarding how to come up with a price for the affordable housing units.
The phases of the development were discussed.
Ms. Jackson-Amis discussed the prices of the houses. She asked if the affordable houses would be placed in one place.
Mr. Stagg stated that they will be disbursed throughout the development. He stated that the affordable units will all be townhouses.
Mr. Ford stated that he assumes that should we choose to approve this application; it would be contingent on them meeting the requirements of our affordable housing policy. He stated that he thinks that the potential for the entrance and egress that could hook up with Marlboro Road is a positive point for this plan. He stated that he thinks it is important to have pedestrian and bicycle access as well as vehicular access out of the back of this development to the shopping center because there will be trips from this development to go to the other entities and you don’t want them to have to go out on Glebe Road.
Ms. Adrianne Hyatt, 375 Glebe Road, commended Artery for listening to the neighbors concerns and taking action. She stated that she would like consideration for more single family homes. Ms. Hyatt asked that the proposed road to Marlboro Road be completed now.
(Mr. Kehoe joined the meeting at 8:50 p.m.).
(Ms. VanEmburgh departed the meeting at 8:58 p.m.).
Mr. Tom Alspach on behalf of Talbot Preservation Alliance discussed traffic analysis and projected growth. He stated that the applicant has not made the grade when it comes to open space and that can be improved. Mr. Alspach discussed inadequate housing for the workforce. He discussed the height of the townhouses and said they are not compatible with the neighborhood. Mr. Alspach stated that he agrees there should be infill and development on that parcel but improvements need to be made to this project such as traffic, design issues, affordable housing and the access road between Food Lion and Lowe’s.
Mr. Tom Hughes discussed an existing flooding problem behind Food Lion. He stated that he has some concerns about whether they are going to be able to convey any overflow from this site and urged the Council to look at this parcel during a rain event.
Mr. Stagg discussed the flooding problem and stated that it will have no affect on the development. He stated that he thinks it could be the cause of blocked drainage and can be repaired.
At 9:15 p.m., the President of the Council closed the Public Hearing. Mr. Ford stated that the Public Hearing would remain open until the end of the business day on Friday.
PRESENTATION OF STORMWATER MANAGEMENT QUALITY AND QUANTITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROPOSED LOWE’S HOME CENTERS, INC. PROJECT
The President of the Council stated that this matter has been postponed until the next regularly scheduled Council meeting.
LETTER FROM MR. JOHN GENTILE REQUESTING REVOCABLE LICENSE FOR FRONT STEPS THAT ENCROACHES ON TOWN PROPERTY
Mr. Kehoe disclosed that Mr. Gentile is a client of some of the other attorneys in his firm.
Mr. Jensen made a motion to grant the revocable license seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried.
Mr. Kehoe stated that he will prepare a resolution and a plat with the amount of encroachment.
LETTER FROM RICH AND HENDERSON, P.C., REQUESTING CHANGE IN THE ZONING DESIGNATION OF THE HUNTER’S MILL PROPERTY (a portion of the property formerly known as Two Oaks)
The Town Attorney stated that the procedure would be to refer the request to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a recommendation then would come back to the Council for a public hearing.
The Town Attorney quoted the original change or mistake rule law and discussed the background.
Upon motion by Ms. Jackson-Amis seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously, the request for a change in the zoning designation of the Hunter’s Mill Property was referred to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
ORDINANCE NO. 492, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON APPROVING AMENDMENTS TO THE APPLICATION APPROVED BY ORDINANCE NO. 427 FOR REMCO PROPERTIES, LLC, CONCERNING THE PLANNED MAJOR RETAIL (“PMR”) ZONING DISTRICT UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE EASTON ZONING ORDINANCE”
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried, Ordinance No. 492 was passed four to one with Ms. Jackson-Amis dissenting.
APPROVAL OF INVOICES TOTALING $258,190.42
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously, invoices totaling $258,190.42 were approved for payment.
REFERENDUM PETITION FOR TALBOT COUNTY LIBRARY
Mr. Jensen encouraged everyone to sign the referendum petition circulating around the town.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously following a roll call vote, the President of the Council convened into Executive Session at 10:02 p.m. to consider a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the state.
At 10:13 p.m., upon motion by Ms. Jackson-Amis seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously following a roll call vote, the President of the Council closed the Executive Session and reconvened into Regular Session.
ADJOURNMENT
At 10:13 p.m., upon motion by Ms. Jackson-Amis seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously; the President of the Council adjourned the regularly scheduled Council meeting.
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Town Clerk