From: CB St. Michaels

Sent: Friday, October 29, 1999 11:07 AM

To: robert.karge@eastonmd.com

Subject: Big Box Moratorium

Let me begin by reiterating " you don't change the rules in the middle of the game". This is, I think, one item too many people are overlooking. This developer has met or exceeded all requirements set forth by our existing Comprehensive Plan and still we are not satisfield. The property in question has long been zoned for commercial development. It should come as no surprise that a commercial developer wants to build there.

As I read through the well organized outlined prepared by Mr. Karge I am surprised by the number of issues/questions left unaddressed or unanswered by our existing CP. Did the committee not forsee future Big Box development in Easton/Talbot County and address same? So many of the questions now being asked should have been addressed in the CP. I applaude your efforts in this matter. There is no question Easton (and Talbot County) will be different if and when we permit additional Big Box development.

Some questions:

1. If Home Depot builds in Talbot Commerce Park (currently a permitted use, etc) how does this impact our Town tax base? How much we will lose to the County?

2. If Home Depot builds in Talbot Commerce Park how will this effect Lowe's request to build on Route #50? If they decide it would be better to expand in their existing location, is there adequate room and would that expansion be permitted?

Quite frankly, I would not want to see Home Depot denied the right to build on Rt #50 and then later see Lowe's approved for development on Rt #50/Chapel Rd.

3. Is the developer still interested in Rt #50 for Easton Commons without a Big Box anchor store?

4. As Easton's (and Talbot County's) population grows, we need to keep pace with sufficient retail diversity to encourage "spending where you live", and Big Box is certainly part of that diversity.

5. Have we as a town (and county) given thought to the future Dorchester County growth with the Hyatt project (and others) and how that will impact us? Do we want to plan now for those future shoppers (diversity!) or do we want them to travel to Salisbury, etc?

As I have said before, I do not want to see Easton become another Glen

Burnie, but I believe we as a town and county need to ensure our continued financial health and I truly believe we need certain Big Box stores for that financial health. As it stands now, there is no real competition in Easton for Lowe's. Having a Home Depot will not only give us a second place to shop but encourage healthy competition with pricing and the consumer will benefit from this. I know we have vacant storefronts in almost all of our existing shopping areas, and we certainly need to fill these, but these vacancies are not a part of the Big Box issue and we need to separate those comments when making the final decision on Big Box.

Thank you for your time.

Margaret Roe, 29339 Corbin Parkway, Easton, MD 21601

chelsies@goeaston.net