The Easton Department of Planning and Zoning will hold a public kick-off meeting and workshop on Thursday, October 5 at the Waterfowl Building to start the process of developing the East End Small Area Plan.
To help us understand more about that this means, the Spy asked Miguel Salinas, Easton’s Director of Planning and Zoning, to come by the Spy study a few days ago to share details about the town’s interests in working on a significant plan for what is called the Dover Road Corridor.
The project is a follow-up to the Town’s existing East End Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization Plan, approved in September 1997. The Small Area Plan will update the existing plan to reflect the area’s current needs, assets, and opportunities. Planning in the East End includes three primary areas of focus; the Dover corridor, the legacy industrial areas associated with the former railroad, and the site of the current Talbot County Health Department, which is scheduled to relocate to a different site in the near future.
When completed, the Small Area Plan will identify strategies to further facilitate the Dover Road Corridor as an inviting and vibrant location that establishes the area as a neighborhood and community destination. Strategies will also identify redevelopment opportunities of legacy industrial properties associated with the Rails to Trails that will complement the neighborhood’s diverse population of citizens. A final draft of the Small Area Plan is expected by March of 2024.
On October 5, the kick-off event will feature guest facilitator James Rojas. Rojas is the founder of Place It!, a design and participation-based urban planning practice that features an innovative public engagement and community-visioning method that uses art-making as its medium. Place It! has facilitated over four hundred workshops around the world. Rojas has collaborated with municipalities, non-profits, community groups, educational institutions, and museums, to engage, educate, and empower the public on transportation, design, landscaping, housing, open space, and neighborhood change. Rojas is also the co-author of Dream Play Build: Hands-on Community Engagement for Enduring Space and Places, out now on Island Press.
The event starts at 6:30 p.m. The Waterfowl Building is located at 40 South Harrison Street in Easton. Reservations are not required, but encouraged. To RSVP, or for additional information, email [email protected] or call 410-822-1943. You can also visit the project website at www.eastonmd.gov/602/East-End-
Carol Voyles says
Working with the public! Communicating!
Love this, Mr. Salinas.
Reed Fawell 3 says
Excellent news!
Julie Lowe says
You are a visionary, Miguel! ToE is blessed to have you on staff. I am pleased with the tack Easton is taking. Affordable housing–yes! Thank you! I just pray we can implement it in good time.
SD Swan says
What a creative, vital person to be in this role. It is refreshing to hear someone speak with such humanity when “real estate” is at issue. All the best to you Miguel!
Jim Marvel says
Nice work engaging with the community, Miguel!