October 27, 1999

Town of Easton

14 S. Harrison Street

Easton, MD 21601

RE:  Comments on "Big Box" issue

Please consider the following remarks in regard to possible comprehensive plan changes in particular those retail outlets of 25,000 square feet or more. The present and sudden concern over these business's lead one to believe that they were never considered in the Town's original comprehensive plan or plans and, therefore; must be a "Trojan Horse" of a different color and be looked upon as an enemy to our "quality of life!"

Does the fact that a comprehensive plan provides for the general development of the town as to it's needs in the matter of general welfare, health, convenience, etc also decides how and where an individual purchases his needs. Does your question of "Is additional big box retailing necessary for the town's present and future needs?" fall within the parameters so noted? I do not believe that it does. The size, location and perhaps design of a structure exceeding 25,000 square feet would be a consideration for the town government as a building to any size. The determination of the citizen's desire for a type of retailing must be a choice for those citizens and, of course, the retailer who must decide it is profitable for him. Certainly the retailer will not build a building of any size to house a business unless it will command a profit.

The desires of the citizens must determine what is necessary for their needs. Unfortunately, all the public meetings imagined, all the web sites or all the invitations to reply by mail will not bring forth a majority opinion. That happens to be a fact of life - especially here in the United States where we can hardly get a majority to vote in a presidential election. But I hold to the study of the retailer who determines if his business/store will fly! Indeed, public funds would be needed for infrastructure. Real estate taxes paid by the retailer would be a major part of the funds needed which would include roads, streets, water, sewer and police protection. Many areas make developers responsible for much of the cost of streets, sidewalks etc. The next question would be what would happen if his study falls flat and the retail outlet fails! Then most certainly you would have a right to specify in the ordinance steps to dispose of the building by converting to another business for use or renovation or demolishing the structure.

Before considering only the retailer in the above, remember the town has accepted many, many areas of residential development and keeps expanding it's town limits to include them. Then certainly considering the growth of retailing can be hardly be something new!

Comments can continue forever. The facts in the subject are before the citizens to see. Those opposed can address repeated questions to the same point and the answers are the same. The subject seems to be only questioned as to retailers who propose large structures for their particular business - 25,000 square feet or more. Can there truly be so many applications for free standing buildings of this size? Retailers come in many shapes and sizes! A Wal-Mart type retailer (Department store) can pack his space with clothing, household items, various food and bakery goods and more. The mark-up of profit in high turnover items can be much less than a retailer in slower turnover items, i.e.. automobiles, boats, household/commercial appliances, etc. Appraisers were often taught this by using a grocery as opposed to a jewelry store. Then it becomes a necessity to carefully consider ones' square footage in retailing.

Using the above as an example, then how do we justify automobile dealerships with acres of paved display/storage lots using acres (43,560 sq. ft is an acre). Why do we approve acres and acres for residential development and tell the people (many single working parents or both parents working) to go to Dover, Salisbury or Annapolis for your many shopping needs not supplied in Easton or Talbot County. Would the Town of Easton be under pressure to propose a moratorium if a large industrial concern wished to build here? A plant which would supply much needed jobs for its' population, particularly younger citizens, add to a growing tax base which in turn could provide more recreation facilities, better streets, help finance needed school programs and perhaps reduce local tax rates. Remember it's the same storm-water runoff, the same traffic conditions, the same security problems and others!

The Town of Easton is a Regional Center and has been treated as such by surveys conducted by commercial, industrial and general marketing and tourism firms. Why is this? First of all one must consider the medical community; Memorial Hospital and it's supporting clinics, the number of first rate doctors and specialists available . Secondly, the financial services offered; at least -banks and branches, mortgage and title companies and for many people just the everyday loan company. Thirdly, the legal profession with specialist in all aspects of the law. And with these services and professions, one must consider fine restaurants, motels/hotels, and specialty shops are here because people come here for services. People are needed to service these areas of employment - professional and otherwise. Isn't that why you allow the residential development? How many people travel to Easton from within Talbot County and the surrounding counties to work these facilities, and I didn't even mention our industrial base i.e.. Black and Decker and others. They might not all live within the town but like the residents they have a stake in the community. Most of them trade here and the areas surrounding Easton.

It must be remembered that Easton is a part (1/3 ?) of Talbot County. It is the County and its' other communities where your tourists are directed for fishing, hunting, boating and searching out the homes, gardens and points of historical interest; St. Michaels, Oxford, Trappe, Tilghman Island, Wye Mills, Cordova, Royal Oak, Bellevue and Miles River Neck. The tourists come back to stay in the motels/hotels and take advantage of the restaurants, etc. People who are full time residents from these towns/villages come to Easton to shop in the Wal-Mart, Lowe's, Moores, the food market chains, Penny's and Peebles and many others of much lesser size. They need the services offered, and they need more! So continue to chase them to Annapolis, Dover and Salisbury. Remember Delaware doesn't have the Maryland taxes and is offering more and more to Maryland residents.

 There is another phrase that keeps surfacing with the "big box" issue and that is "our quality of life." Just what is the quality of life offered here in Easton? If all who use this phrase were asked the meaning, there would not be one identical answer- How on earth could someone who has lived in the community for ten years have the same answer as one who lived here for fifty or more? During that time most of the larger stores were built, Black and Decker located as well as Waverly Press (now Cadmus Journal), more people have located using more of the forests and waterfront farmland. It is not the same community. Most of the remarks I have heard, are referring to the County as a whole; the rivers, forests and fields. Quiet away from the bustle of the metro areas. Security from crime and vandalism All partly true but never the same for every person. The "quality of life" is in the mind of each. what someone enjoys, another finds disagreeable And if you think there is no crime, that it is a quiet sleepy town with no traffic problems; then you either have your eyes closed and ears plugged because we absolutely do but in direct ratio to our size. Unfortunately, as the nation's population increases, so does ours! As the nations problems grow, so do ours! It's not time to wring our hands and find blame, it's time to continue forward and realize that not all things are perfect.

Respectfully submitted,

 Henry V. Trippe, Jr.