TOWN OF EASTON, MARYLAND
Easton Town Hall
14 S. Harrison Street
May 15, 2006
Councilmember Maureen Scott-Taylor Councilmember Moonyene Jackson-Amis
Also in attendance was the Assistant Town Attorney Ms. VanEmburgh, Chief Blue, Assistant to the Town Engineer Mr. Hause, Town Planner Mr. Hamilton, Long Range Planner Mr. Thomas, Economic Development Coordinator Mr. Bond, Director Parks and Recreation Mr. Sviatko and Town Clerk Robert Karge.
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 MAY 1, 2006 MEETINGS
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried, minutes of the May 1, 2006 meeting was unanimously approved.
MEMO FROM MAY REGARDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING APPOINTMENT
Ms. Jackson-Amis asked that Ms. Carlene Phoenix’s appointment be tabled until Mayor Willey could confer with Mr. Walter Black who requested an opportunity to serve.
ITEMS BY THE CHIEF OF POLICE
Chief Blue recommended the following items for Council review:
Upon motion by Ms. Jackson-Amis, seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously, approval was granted.
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen, seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously, approval was granted.
ITEMS BY THE ASSISTANT TO THE TOWN ENGINEER
Bramble has completed the base coat on West Kennedy Street.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN PLANNER
The Planning Commission meets May 18. The following items are on their agenda for review:
The Board of Appeals meets Tuesday, May 23 to discuss the WaWa special exception request and a variance.
Mr. Hamilton will inquire and report back about new stores and the Knox Box ordinance.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN ATTORNEY
Ms. VanEmburgh requested a Closed Session regarding §10-508A(3), Real Estate; and §10-508A(4), Business Expansion.
ITEMS BY THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
Mr. Bond asked if there is a consensus on how he could proceed with the revision of the impact fee.
It was the consensus of the Council to leave the impact fees as established and look at again within a year.
MR. BRIAN HAUSE, ASSISTANT TO THE TOWN ENGINEER TO DISCUSS AND REQUEST APPROVAL FOR A TRAFFIC STUDY FOR THE EAST/WEST CONNECTOR ROAD
Mr. Hause discussed the proposal from Wallace and Montgomery for the east/west connector road study. He stated that we have a $25,000 commitment from the Waterside Village project and a $10,000 check from the Elm Street Development.
Mr. Matt Allen from Wallace and Montgomery was present to discuss the process.
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously, approval was granted to move forward with the study.
RESOLUTION NO. 5883 AUTHORIZING MR. PAUL J. MOELLER, SECRETARY OF THE EASTON UTILITIES COMMISSION OR HIS DULY ELECTED SUCCESSOR(S) TO DECLARE ON BEHALF OF THE TOWN OFFICAL INTENT TO REIMBURSE, WITH PROCEEDS OF THE TOWN’S DEBT, EXPENDITURES TO BE INCURRED WITH RESPECT TO PROJECTS OF THE EASTON UTILITIES COMMISSION
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Jackson-Amis and carried unanimously, Resolution No. 5883 was passed following a roll call vote.
PUBLIC HEARING TO DISCUSS PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE TOWN’S ZONING ORDINANCE. THESE PROPOSED CHANGES ARE A FOLLOW-UP TO DISCUSSION WHICH FIRST OCCURRED DURING THE PUBLIC HEARING PRECEEDING THE EVENTUAL ADOPTION OF THE SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS AND ADDRESS SOME OF THE PROVISIONS INTENDED TO INJECT TRADITIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS INTO THE ZONING ORDINANCE.
At 7:45 p.m., the President of the Council opened the Public Hearing.
The President of the Council introduced Ordinance No. 500, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON AMENDING SECTIONS OF THE TOWN OF EASTON ZONING ORDINANCE.”
Mr. Thomas briefed on the proposed amendments to the recently adopted Zoning Ordinance. He stated that there are six changes:
1) To provide flexibility in the minimum lot size.
2) A change that allows for the opportunity for folks to propose subdivisions that have units that front directly on parks or other open space and not require there to be a road on the front; they would be served as a rear alley and their front yard would be the park.
3) To establish a density for single family dwelling units.
4) To allow or not require the density increase for projects that includes affordable housing. This would allow one additional unit for each affordable unit provided up to a maximum increase of 15% in the total number of units in a subdivision.
5) Add only at the recommendation that the differentiation in color between adjacent units which is encouraged intending to cut down on the monotony.
6) A proposal for a decrease in the minimum width of the building envelope; just the width portion in the R10A Zoning District; 54’ down to 30’.
It is also pointed out that there is one additional thing to those items pointed out in March and that is the inclusion of the revisiting of the map amendments.
The President of the Council invited public comments.
Mr. Ryan Showalter, 101 Bay Street, speaking on behalf of WaWa, Inc. He discussed WaWa’s modifications to the site plan. He stated that he is here to support and encourage the Council to approve the rezoning of the entire WaWa site to General Commercial.
Mr. Tom Alspach, 295 Bay Street, speaking on behalf of Carroll’s Addition Neighborhood Association; discussed eliminating vehicular access from WaWa to Choptank Avenue. Mr. Alspach discussed WaWa’s agreement with the neighborhood.
Mr. Tom Moore, 17 N. Aurora Street and also a member of the Easton Planning and Zoning Commission. Mr. Moore suggested the ordinance be eliminated regarding the upgrade zoning or at least amend it.
Mr. Miles Circo, 9400 Tilghman Island Road, Wittman and also a member of the Easton Affordable Housing Board and involved in the Habitat for Humanity housing, discussed the need for appropriate comprehensive strategy for affordable homes. Mr. Circo discussed the need for a mandatory inclusionary zoning provision. He asked the Council to look at putting together a complete package that has all the right elements to give the affordable housing component that is needed and which will cause it to be successful in the Town of Easton.
Mr. Larry Neviaser, 203 S. Harrison Street, President of Habitat for Humanity concurred with Mr. Circo. He stated that he wants to see inclusionary zoning put together as a whole. He stated that this does not include anything by itself or as a voluntary issue.
Ms. Priscilla Morris, 702 South Street, discussed the WaWa issue and thanked various people. She stated that the issue increased civic engagement throughout the town. She asked the Council to consider the idea that the Planning Commission meetings could be televised.
Mr. Thomas stated that the advertisement for this public hearing clearly included the map amendments; the ordinance itself did not reference the map amendments. He stated that if the ordinance is adopted, a reference needs to be added and include the map changes if any.
The President of the Council stated that the public record would be kept open until the end of business Friday.
The President of the Council closed the public hearing at 8:36 p.m.
FINDINGS OF FACT FOR REZONING REQUEST BY SHORE LANDS, LLC FROM (A-1) AGRICULTURAL TO (R-10A) RESIDENTIAL
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Mr. Wendowski, the Findings of Fact to deny the rezoning request was approved 3 to 2 with Ms. Jackson-Amis and Mr. Ford voting no.
MEMO FROM LGIT REQUESTING APPROVAL FOR THE CANDIDATES FOR NOMINATION TO SERVE AS MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR A THREE YEAR TERM BEGINNING JULY 1, 2006
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously, the candidates for nomination were approved.
APPROVAL OF INVOICES TOTALING $393,620.14
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously, invoices totaling $393,620.14 were approved for payment.
ACADEMY ART MUSEUM REQUESTING PERMISSION TO DRAPE BANNER PROMOTING ARTS MARKETPLACE ON THE FAÇADE OF THE TIDEWATER INN FROM OCTOBER 1 THROUGH OCTOBER 15
Mr. Jensen made a motion to approve the request to drape the banner at the Tidewater Inn seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously.
CLOSED SESSION
At 8:42 p.m., upon motion by Mr. Jensen, seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously; the President of the Council convened the regularly scheduled meeting in Closed Session for real estate and the attraction and retention of existing business.
Ms. Scott Taylor departed the meeting at 8:47 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously; the President of the Council adjourned the regularly scheduled Council meeting at 8:50 p.m.
______________________________________
Town Clerk