TOWN OF EASTON, MARYLAND
Easton Town Hall
14 S. Harrison Street
January 7, 2008
Ms. Maureen Scott-Taylor
Mr. Scott R. Jensen
Mr. Leonard E. Wendowski, Sr.
Ms. Moonyene Jackson-Amis
Also in attendance were the Town Attorney Mr. Kehoe, Town Planner Mr. Hamilton, Long Range Planner Mr. Thomas and Town Manager Mr. 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 DECEMBER 17, 2007 MEETINGS
Upon motion by Ms. Scott-Taylor seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried, minutes of the December 17, 2007 meetings were approved with corrections on page one, line 61as submitted by Ms. Jackson-Amis.
INTRODUCTION OF THE HONORABLE BROUGHTON ERNEST, CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE
Mr. Kehoe introduced the Honorable Judge Ernest, Circuit Court Judge that took his oath of office on December 21.
Judge Ernest stated that he wants to be accessible to the community. He stated that he has resided in Easton and practiced law here for approximately 40 years. Judge Ernest stated that he plans to put together a community justice task force to gather law enforcement and public defenders and those interested in the justice system to see if the problems can be solved in the most efficient way for those that come to court. He stated that the message he has for violent criminals that get convicted in his court is that they are going to go to jail and those people that have civil cases, they want the court to be user friendly and they intend to provide pro bono legal services. Judge Ernest stated that he is looking forward to serving the community and the people of Talbot County.
ITEMS BY THE MAYOR
Mayor Willey reminded the Council to put the budget workshop dates on their calendar. He stated that the budget is expected to be tight and asked the department heads to decrease their budget requests by 15%.
Mayor Willey asked for favorable consideration for the re-appointment of Mr. Tom Moore to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Upon motion by Ms. Scott-Taylor seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously; Mr. Moore’s re-appointment was approved.
Mayor Willey stated that Mr. Bond will be submitting a plan for the northern block redevelopment for council consideration in the near future.
Mayor Willey stated that he will ask for Council consideration January 22 for Mr. Brad Watt’s re-appointment to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN MANAGER
Mr. Karge stated that the last day for Christmas tree pickup is Friday, January 11. Trees to be recycled are to be placed where normal garbage pickup is accomplished.
COUNCIL CONSENSUS ON A REQUEST FOR A RESIDENTIAL PUD SUBMITTED BY WILLIAM STAGG OF LANE ENGINEERING INC. ON BEHALF OF FRANK SAULSBURY THE OWNER. THE SITE IS PRESENTLY ZONED CR/PR AND IS IMPROVED WITH SEVEN APARTMENT UNITS WITHIN TWO BUILDINGS WHICH FRONT ON DOVER STREET AND THREE (3) TOWNHOUSE UNITS/LOTS FRONTING ON SOUTH LANE. MR. SAULSBURY PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT THREE ADDITIONAL RESIDENTIAL UNITS AND CONVERT AN EXISTING GARAGE INTO A SINGLE UNIT ON HIS .57 ACRE SITE.
Mr. Ford discussed the PUD request and stated that the public hearing was held at the last meeting.
Mr. Jensen stated that he thinks the project is good but he would like to ask the Council to consider three conditions: 1) a landscape strategy for the Dover Street side of Mr. Saulsbury’s existing property that he is adding these three townhouse units to; 2) have all what appeared to be property maintenance issues in existing structures taken care of before any building permit is issued; and 3) have the existing building re-skinned with property siding as the siding is falling off. Mr. Jensen stated that he would like to see these three conditions accomplished before the new project. If these conditions are met, he is in favor of the project.
Mr. Wendowski stated that he supports Mr. Jensen’s conditions and recommendations.
Ms. Jackson-Amis questioned how many units would be affordable.
Mr. Stagg stated that there would be one unit limited to rent of $850 per month.
Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that she supports Mr. Jensen as well.
Ms. Scott-Taylor stated she likes the project. She asked that the landscaping be completed around the front. She stated she has concerns related to freshening the landscaping at Dover and Aurora and an upgrade to the existing structure.
Mr. Frank Saulsbury, Town and Country Roofing, stated that they are still in the process of completing the siding. It is not falling off but has not been completed. He stated that they are trying their best to maintain the properties in Easton but right now they have their hands full.
Mr. Stagg stated that the siding is not falling off but the corners are not finished. He stated it should be completed.
Mr. Ford stated that they could make it a condition on the PUD request that no building permit is issued until Mr. Saulsbury’s other project is satisfactorily completed.
Mr. Jensen stated that he would like to have a final inspection,
Mr. Ford stated that the landscape plan for the Dover Street side of the project, take care of all property maintenance issues and siding properly installed and final inspection by Don Richardson and approved as defined by the Historic District Commission prior to building permits being issued for the new units. Mr. Jensen stated that he would like to see a landscaping plan with a tentative completion date submitted to the Planning staff and approved; and one unit will be not more than starting off with a rent of $850 per month with a cost of living built into that.
Mr. Kehoe stated that as a matter of routine, they will recommend a Public Works Agreement for PUD approvals.
Ms. Jackson-Amis asked when the cost of living allowance would be factored in. She stated that the goal is to have it affordable.
Current rate schedules were discussed for rental housing units.
Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that she has concerns regarding how long this unit will stay affordable.
Ms. Scott-Taylor requested that Mr. Saulsbury keep units affordable with a cost of living adjustment.
Mr. Wendowski suggested that the one year period be set from the date of occupancy with the following year giving a cost of living adjustment.
Mr. Ford asked Mr. Kehoe to draft legislation with conditions as outlined by the Council.
PUBLIC HEARING TO DISCUSS PROPOSED REVISIONS TO ARTICLE VI (PLANNED REDEVELOPMENT OVERLAY DISTRICT) OF THE TOWN OF EASTON ZONING ORDINANCE AS WELL AS PROPOSED REVISIONS TO THE PR OVERLAY DISTRICT BOUNDARY OF THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP.
The President of the Council opened the Public Hearing at 7:45 p.m.
Mr. Thomas discussed the history of the proposed revisions and the committee involved. He stated that the committee proposed four text changes which are outlined in the proposed Ordinance No. 525. He stated that the first is for administrative review for certain types of activity that is afforded to properties now that are only in the Planned Redevelopment District. The second proposed change is a proposal to restrict the ability of properties that are within the Planned Redevelopment District with underlying zoning residential, to ask for non-residential uses. This limits them to only those uses that are permitted in the underlying zoning district. He stated that they are proposing to take a number of properties altogether and for those that remain they would have this level of protection. The third proposed change closes a loophole in terms of what type of development activity or scenario that the ordinance did not contemplate. It came up in association with a portion of the Elm Street Cannery Square project; a situation where a developer wants to demolish and then redevelop. A very specific list of steps necessary is available for the adaptive reuse of existing buildings but there was nothing covering the demolition and redevelopment. Mr. Thomas stated that the final text change puts some language in this section that addresses institutional uses which could be very important in these neighborhoods.
Mr. Thomas discussed the map changes. He discussed the Talbot County Senior Center project and the Tree Haven project.
The final point the committee noted was that these recommendations reflect a snapshot of the conditions today and is a probably a good idea to do an exercise like this periodically; probably every few years. Mr. Thomas suggested making it a prelude to the Comprehensive Plan update.
Mr. Jensen asked if the criteria were sharpened regarding what stays in the PR District and what went out.
Mr. Thomas stated that there was spirited debate and the ultimate thinking was that it is an area that clearly needs some work. He stated being in the Planned Redevelopment District and having more flexibility gives the area the chance for more redevelopment.
At 8:05 p.m., the President of the Council opened the floor for public comments.
Mr. Bill Stagg, Lane Engineering, on behalf of GM Rentals, LLC, property owners of a portion of the block on the Thoroughgood Lane and South Lane. He stated that they have a project on the drawing board for a five unit infill resident project. He stated that it is zoned R7A; is across from the parking lot of the Health Department. Mr. Stagg stated that the block is currently underdeveloped or vacant. ON their behalf, Mr. Stagg is requesting that the Council consider taking that out of the PRD due to flexibility. He stated that it would result in a 20% decrease in the density for the potential of Mr. Doty’s parcel. Mr. Stagg asked that the Council keep the block or at least the two parcels in the PR Zone.
Mr. Joe Miniarick, East End Neighborhood Association, discussed the participation in the committee process. He stated that they are satisfied with the consensus the committee reached as far as changes to the PR District. He stated that they support the Zoning Ordinance description described tonight.
Ms. Joyce DeLaurentis, 220 South Street, stated that she is in agreement with the whole proposal except she opposes leaving in the PRD the block Mr. Stagg referred to on Thoroughgood Lane.
Ms. Carolyn Jaffe, 412 August Street, stated that it is heartening to hear that Mr. Jensen and Ms. Scott-Taylor physically looked at a potential project. She stated that it is important to keep looking at the area. Ms. Jaffe discussed the character of properties and the neighborhood.
At 8:14 p.m., the President of the Council closed the Public Hearing. He left the record open until close of business Friday.
ORDINANCE NO. 525, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON AMENDING THE TOWN OF EASTON ZONING ORDINANCE.”
The President of the Council introduced Ordinance No. 525 for a first reading.
RESOLUTION NO. 5921 AUTHORIZING AN EMPLOYER MATCH TO THE SECTION 457 DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously, Resolution No. 5921 was approved.
ITEMS BY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL
Mr. Wendowski stated that First Night Talbot went very well.
Ms. Jackson-Amis discussed her attendance in Iowa participating in the caucus.
Ms. Scott-Taylor discussed her suggestion of reversing the order for voting.
The Town Attorney discussed the Rules of the Council which had been adopted in 1954. He stated that state law has changed some. He stated that he will distribute the rules. The Town Attorneys stated that he is proposing to give the Council a summary of the current Robert’s Rules of Order and the various variations
Mr. Jensen stated that we need to update our rules.
Ms. Jackson-Amis made a motion to use Robert’s Rules of Order.
ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously, the President of the Council adjourned the meeting at 8:22 p.m.
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Kathy M. Ruf, Town Clerk