All too often, the general public in Easton has felt left out of preliminary discussions between land owners, developers, and town planners about how an important parcel in town will be used in the future. This was the case when many were surprised last year that the Poplar Hill Farm off Oxford Road plans called for 439 housing units. More recently, some in the community felt the town moved too quickly to approve residential housing to replace the site of the downtown Safeway store.
Greg Zimmerman, Easton resident and full-time communications consultant, is one of those who wants the community to be heard loud and clear about the future plans for the soon-to-be vacant site where the current Talbot County Health Department is located on Hanson Street.
The site holds significant historical significance for many; it is located in the heart of the historic Hill District, once home to Easton Academy in the 1800s and later Easton High School. Given this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in downtown Easton, Zimmerman, along with a core group of other volunteers, has created a community survey to help define its future.
The initiative has received positive feedback, with local organizations helping to distribute and collect survey responses, including translations for non-English speakers. The results will be shared with local media and officials to spark discussions and inform future decisions.
Spy readers are encouraged to take the survey. Note the instructions to do so below.
This video is approximately 11 minutes in length.
Easton Community Survey
Share your ideas about our community.
The Talbot County Health Department will be moving from 100 S. Hanson to a new location this summer. Talbot County owns this property. The Talbot County Council has discussed three options for this property: Sell it, Lease it to a new tenant, or reserve it for a current need or future use. The Talbot County Council will be deliberating on this issue soon.
With community support, there may be an opportunity for the town of Easton to acquire this property (such as a transfer, purchase or land swap with Talbot County)
We need your view about what you would like to see happen with this 1 acre lot located in the heart of the Historic District, East End, and The Hill Community. (see photo and map below)
Survey results will be reported to the Mayor, Easton Town Council, Talbot County Council and local media.
(Responses of individual surveys will remain anonymous)
Please respond below to what development options will serve our community at 100 S. Hanson Street.
How to take the survey:
Please send an email to: [email protected]
You will receive a reply with a link to a survey about 100 S Hanson Street Property (Talbot Health Department)
Individual survey responses are anonymous.
It takes about 4 minutes-that was easy!
This is a collaborative grassroots effort by residents of Easton
SD Swan says
Thank you, Mr. Zimmerman for this important civic service: a process model to encourage ongoing collaborative community spirit in decision making.
Amanda Erickson says
Easton needs two things desperately, AFFORDABLE housing, mixed-age housing (not sure of terminology) and parking. And the town would be wise to make sure these properties are not bought by professional landlords, who have created a dire housing crisis in the U.S. Trees are critical for shade on a warming planet. Also, there needs to be a walkable grocery.
Roberta Lilly says
What Talbot County and Easton in particular need is a really effective and locally sourced support for aging people who want to stay in their homes. Almost a fourth of the Talbot County residents are over 65. Not everyone has family and not everyone can afford a half million dollars to buy into a long term care facility even if they wanted to. Most older people want to stay in their homes and are most effective when they remain in their own environment. Most could stay in their homes if they had targeted support from the community that would keep them engaged socially and provide necessary services such as transportation to church, community events, grocery stores, and appointments. Apparently our share of support from the Maryland Department of Aging goes to Upper Shore Aging Inc, which is designated to provide support for Talbot, Caroline, and Kent County. I believe we could do better – and the location of the old department of health would be ideal for this purpose.