EASTON PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION

APRIL 15, 2004

MINUTES

 

 

Members Present:                                                         Staff Present

John Atwood, Chair                                                     Tom Hamilton, Town Planner

Chris Brownawell                                                         Tim Glass, Town Engineer

Linda Cheezum                                                 Matthew Davis, Asst. Town Planner

Tom Moore                                                                 

 

Members Absent:                                                         Staff Absent

Dan Swann                                                                   Stacie Sauca, Secretary

                                                                                    Zach Smith, Current Planner

 

 

            The April 15, 2004 meeting of the Easton Planning & Zoning Commission was called to order by Chairman John Atwood at 1:00 p.m.  The Minutes of the March 18, 2004 Planning & Zoning Commission meeting were approved by a 4-0 vote upon motion of Mr. Brownawell and seconded by Mrs. Cheezum.

 

            An application by Milford Street Associates, for property located on the north side of Idlewild Avenue, and east of Marvel Court was reviewed by the Commission.  Initial discussion of this site occurred at the February Planning Commission meeting.  At that time it was revealed that a medical office facility was being considered for the property.  Mr. William Stagg of Lane Engineering and Mr. Bruce Armistead, attorney for the applicant, both explained that there are two unimproved public streets or right-of-ways that need to be considered before the property can be developed.  After review with the Town Planner and Town Engineer, it was agreed that a new plat would be prepared and that Commerce Street would be shown as a 50’ wide right-of-way with a 10’ easement.  Additionally, a question remains about the status of Raymond and Albert Lanes.  The applicant has requested that both of these unimproved streets be abandoned if that has not already occurred.  Finally, a discussion about a waiver of 10 parking spaces from the required number was requested by the applicant.  Upon a motion of Mr. Brownawell and seconded by Mr. Moore, the Commission voted 4-0 in favor of approving the sketch site plan and waiving 10 parking spaces contingent upon the additional review of the Town Planner and Town Engineer.  The Commission also voted 4-0 in favor of a motion by Mr. Brownawell and seconded by Mrs. Cheezum to recommend that the Town Council abandon Albert and Raymond Lanes should further research determine that action to be necessary. 

 

There were several items brought to the Commission from the staff.  The first was a sketch site plan of the proposed Skateboard Park, brought forward by Town Engineer Mr. Glass.  The park will be located on land owned by Cadmus Printing on the north side of Idlewild Avenue and immediately west to the Rail Trail.  Parking will be provided several cars and additional land remains for more parking if it is needed.  The area that


will include ramps and jumps will be enclosed within a fenced area.  Seating will be provided both inside and outside of the enclosed area.  An attendant will be present when the facility is open for operation.  Evergreen trees will be planted to further screen the parking area from adjacent properties to the west.  As part of the agreement with Cadmus, flashing red lights will be installed by the Town on Idlewild Avenue that will be activated at the Cadmus loading dock.  This will stop traffic so that trucks backing across Idlewild Avenue will not pose a danger to motorists.  Mr. Glass stated that the goal is to have the park open sometime in the month of June.  With a motion by Mr. Moore and seconded by Mrs. Cheezum, the Commission voted 4-0 to approve the site plan for the proposed skate park 

 

The next staff item was a request by Talbot County to provide a concession trailer at the George P. Murphy Pool located on Port Street.  Mr. Hamilton explained that this is a temporary use that is not specifically permitted in the Zoning Ordinance, therefore the Commission must decide if the use is appropriate.  Upon a motion by Mr. Brownawell, and seconded by Mrs. Cheezum, the Commission voted 4-0 in favor of the request with the condition that the temporary trailer only be permitted for the 2004 pool season and that a permanent facility be erected if concession sales are to be a regular offering at the pool.   

 

Mr. Hamilton then showed the Commission a copy of a plat for Phase 5 –A  consisting of 35 lots at Easton Club East.  Mr. Hamilton stated that the plat had recently been submitted to the staff for review but that only the Planning Commission could formally approve the plat.  The Preliminary Plat had been approved by the Commission previously.  This plat is for 35 lots because that is the available wastewater capacity for this developer at the present time.  He asked that the Commission authorize Mr. Atwood to sign the plat once all concerns of the staff had been satisfied.  The Commission voted 4-0 upon a motion by Mr. Brownawell and seconded by Mr. Moore, in favor of authorizing Mr. Atwood to sign the plat once staff had been satisfied.  Mr. Robert Rauch, developer of Easton Club East, then asked the Commission if the phasing plan previously approved could be amended to allow Phases 6 and 8 to be switched.  This request is made so that the construction vehicles and equipment do not have to travel on completed road and disrupt current residents of the neighborhood.  The Town Engineer strongly supported this request.  With Mrs. Cheezum making a motion to approve the request and seconded by Mr. Moore, the Commission voted 4-0 to approve the altered order of construction phasing at Easton Club East. 

 

Mr. William Stagg of Lane Engineering asked the Commission to extend the PUD approval of the Brant Court project for a period of two years.  He stated that the project was a residential/infill development and that there was considerable interest by various developers to complete the project, but that due to the current capacity issues at the wastewater treatment plant, not enough capacity could be allocated to this project at the current time that would make development economically feasible.  Mr. Stagg stated that in two years the new treatment plant should be completed and sewage allocation would no longer be a factor.  Upon a motion of Mr. Brownawell and seconded by Mr. Moore, the Commission voted 4-0 in favor of granting an extension of the approval for PUD-00-02 until April 15th, 2006. 

 

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 2:40 p.m. upon a motion by Mr. Brownawell and seconded by Mrs. Cheezum. 

 

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                                                                    Matthew B. Davis, AICP

                                                                                    Assistant Town Planner