Easton Begins Review of Zoning Changes to Set Limits for Large Housing Projects

For those concerned about how some recent, large-scale housing developments secured local approval, the Easton Town Council is considering a critical step to increase transparency for the community.

The Council this week opened a public hearing on two proposed zoning ordinances aimed at clarifying existing rules and setting clearer review thresholds for development in the town’s Planned Redevelopment Overlay District. Ordinances 850 and 851, presented by Planning Director Lynn Thomas, were introduced for discussion and public comment, with no vote taken.

Ordinance 850 includes a series of primarily technical amendments to the zoning code, which staff describe as “housekeeping” updates. These include allowing automotive repair garages by special exception in the downtown commercial district, adding a definition for private spas, and updating lighting requirements for donation bins. Thomas said the changes address issues identified during earlier Council workshops and are intended to correct unintended effects of prior zoning revisions.

Ordinance 851 focuses on how redevelopment projects are reviewed, particularly residential projects. Under the proposal, developments with up to 20 dwelling units could be reviewed through the Planning Commission’s site plan process, while projects exceeding that threshold would require a different approval path, likely triggering a public hearing before the Town Council.

During public comment, the only speaker,  Joe Minarick of Easton, urged caution about building scale near historic neighborhoods and questioned whether access to the Rail Trail should count as permanent open space for family-oriented housing projects.

The Council will continue its review before taking any action on the ordinances later this year.

This video is approximately seven minutes in length.