TOWN OF EASTON, MARYLAND
Easton Town Hall
14 S. Harrison Street
October 3, 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, Town Attorney Mr. Kehoe and Mr. Robert Karge, the Town Clerk.
Mr. Steve Sviatko, Director Parks and Recreation arrived at 7:04 p.m.
At 7:00 p.m., the President of the Council, Mr. Ford called the meeting to order.
Mr. Jensen opened the meeting with prayer and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 19, 2005 MEETINGS
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously; minutes of the meetings were approved as written.
EASTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Mr. Jensen reported on the Fire Department’s monthly activities.
ITEMS BY MAYOR WILLEY
Mayor Willey asked for an Executive Session to discuss real estate after the regularly scheduled Council meeting.
ITEMS BY THE CHIEF OF POLICE
Chief Blue asked Mr. Pritchett to present the Waterfowl Festival Transportation Plan. He discussed the street closings and the Festival activities.
MR. ALBERT PRITCHETT TO PRESENT 2005 WATERFOWL FESTIVAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN
Mr. Pritchett stated that the main changes were mainly logistical. He has arranged to have North Easton Park accessible for parking with shuttle service directly to Federal Street.
Chief Blue recommended approval.
Mr. Jensen made a motion to approve the 2005 Waterfowl Festival Transportation Plan seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously.
APPROVAL OF FOOD CONCESSIONS FOR THE 2005 WATERFOWL FESTIVAL
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously, approval was granted for the Food Concessions.
Chief Blue departed the meeting at 7:20 p.m.
ITEMS BY THE ASSISTANT TO THE TOWN ENGINEER
Mr. Hause updated on ongoing projects. He discussed an impending meeting with the State Highway Administration. Mr. Hause will notify the Council when a date has been set.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN PLANNER
The Board of Appeals will meet tomorrow concerning an application for a Special Exception for an auto repair facility on Commerce Drive.
The Planning Commission has nine items on their agenda:
ITEMS BY THE TOWN ATTORNEY
The Town Attorney asked for a Closed Session for the advice of Counsel and to discuss real estate.
ITEMS BY THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
Mr. Ford asked that Warren’s Woodworks be added to the Talbot County Economic Development business tours.
ITEMS BY THE PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR
Mr. Sviatko is creating a K-6 basketball league with clinics for coaches.
Ms. Scott-Taylor asked for a meeting regarding the RTC property.
Mr. Sviatko departed the meeting at 7:34 p.m.
ORDINANCE NO. 493, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A LICENSE AGREEMENT TO ALLOW AN ENCROACHMENT FROM 188-120 TALBOT ALNE INTO THE THIRTY (30) FOOT RIGHT OF WAY KNOWN AS TALBOT LANE TO CONTINUE.”
The President of the Council introduced Ordinance No. 493 for a first reading.
RESOLUTION NO. 5864, “A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF EASTON APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT WITH DAVIS, BOWEN, & FRIEDEL, INC. TO PROVIDE ON CALL ENGINEERING SERVICES.”
The Town Attorney recommended approval and will submit a clean copy of rates.
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously, Resolution No. 5864 was approved unanimously following a roll call vote.
RESOLUTION NO. 5865, “ A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF EASTON AUTHORIZING THE TOWN SURVEYOR, BRENT K. SPICER, TO SIGN SUBDIVISION PLATS IN LIEU OF THE TOWN ENGINEER.”
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried, Resolution No. 5865 was approved unanimously following a roll call vote.
MEMO FROM MR. LYNN B. THOMAS, JR., AICP, LONG RANGE PLANNER REGARDING WORKSHOP WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION REGARDING ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT REVISIONS.
Mr. Thomas asked for a joint work session with the Planning Commission regarding Zoning Ordinance Amendment revisions.
The President of the Council set the meeting for Wednesday, October 19 at 6:00 p.m.
Mr. Thomas departed the meeting at 7:49 p.m.
CONSENSUS 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.
Mr. Ford asked the Council to decide if this application is in line with the Comprehensive Plan.
Ms. Scott-Taylor stated that the developer has addressed concerns and she is comfortable and in favor of this project.
Mr. Jensen asked that if the approval is granted, it be subject to the easement Mr. Stagg discussed. He stated that he is in favor of this application with conditions.
Mr. Wendowski asked for clarification regarding open space. Mr. Stagg stated that the stormwater pond and the land use buffer is part of the green space with a total of 1.35 acres of actual usable open space; close to 10%. Mr. Wendowski stated he has strong opposition in using the road between Food Lion and Lowe’s as a second entrance. He stated that he would support the application if the easement for the road is actually built. Mr. Wendowski stated that he is not in favor of the application without a second entrance other than the Lowe’s parking lot.
Ms. Jackson-Amis discussed her concerns regarding affordable housing. She stated that she hopes that the Affordable Housing Board asks the developer to spend money off-site for affordable housing homes.
Mr. Matthew Murphy, Artery Homes, discussed pricing for the affordable units from the builder’s standpoint. He proposes to build a 20’, 1200 square foot townhouse, 3 bedroom, 1 bath, non-garage mixed in the community. The land cost is approximately $60,000 and the cost for the unit approximately $100,000 to $110,000 which totals about $160,000 to $170,000 for the townhouse at the builder’s cost which would be classified as workforce housing. Mr. Murphy stated that they would provide any breakdown and a monetary contribution to improve the housing in the Town of Easton.
Mr. Hamilton discussed the original application which was submitted before the Lowe’s application. He stated that the Planning Commission accepted the entrance/exit alternative between Lowe’s and Food Lion.
Ms. Jackson-Amis discussed her concerns regarding open space. She stated that she is in favor of the project with a formal agreement regarding affordable housing. Ms. Jackson-Amis asked to have a better handle on the open space requirements.
Mr. Kehoe suggested the two applicants work out their site plans regarding the open space requirement.
Mr. Wendowski asked for clarification regarding future plans for the 6/10 acre of open space.
Mr. Ford stated that he is in support of this project with the stipulation that the easement access to Marlboro Road gets taken care of and that the nine affordable housing units meet the requirements of a affordable housing ordinance that is not in place yet.
Mr. Ford stated that the Council will be introducing legislation at the next council meeting for a first reading.
REQUEST FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION
Ms. Scott-Taylor asked for a closed session for the advice of legal counsel.
ITEMS BY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL
Ms. Jackson-Amis asked to be notified by October 19 to reserve a place for the Frederick Douglas tour to be held October 23 during the African American Heritage Conference.
Ms. Jackson-Amis asked the Council to look at the fee for a Historical District application with regards to the applicants that have come into the Historical District erroneously.
Mr. Ford instructed the Town Clerk to ask Mr. Mike Mertaugh to present the traffic report to the Town Council.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Upon motion by Ms. Jackson-Amis seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously following a roll call vote, the President of the Council convened into Executive Session at 8:54 p.m. for matters of real estate, the advice of counsel and personnel.
At 9:42 p.m., the President of the Council closed the Executive Session and reconvened into Regular Session.
ADJOURNMENT
At 9:42 p.m., upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously; the President of the Council adjourned the regularly scheduled Council meeting.
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Town Clerk