I read a paid advertisement by Ron Engle this morning. I thought it was important to point out a few things about his claims and plans for Easton. For years we wrestled with Big Box development in Easton and Talbot County. After many court cases and battles with developers, the Town settled on a 65,000 Square foot cap on Big Box Stores Like Home Depot. Ron Engle, in his full page advertisement, mentions Easton’s Comprehensive Plan 8 times. He also stresses the importance of listening to the advice of the Planning Commission.
I would agree that the Comprehensive Plan is a crucial document and the body that is sworn to review developments and uphold the Comprehensive Plan is Easton’s Planning Commission. The Big Box size limitation was in the Comprehensive Plan and the Planning Commission voted 5 to 0 and recommended that the Easton Town Council turn down the Home Depot project because the size exceeded the 65,000 square footage cap.
Ron Engle unfortunately had no problem ignoring the advice of the Town Planning Commission and what was clearly written about Big Box Stores in the Towns Comprehensive Plan.
Now we are faced with huge potential developments on the Oxford Road including Poplar Hill and the Maryland Health Club development on the Easton Club. My conclusion is that if Ron Engle ignored the Planning Commission and Comprehensive Plan on the Big Box issue, (an obvious breach of the public’s will), what makes you think he will hold the developers feet to the fire on these other developments. His refusal to have an opinion on either development should give one pause. Easton has used up all of its Growth Allocation, given by the County, and it would be easy for him to turn down the Poplar Hill scheme for that reason alone.
David Montgomery has a better idea and I believe he will support the Town voters and the Towns Comprehensive Plan. He will also safeguard the Plan as it is re-written in the coming year. Please protect Easton’s future by casting your important Ward 3 vote for David Montgomery.
Dirck Bartlett
Easton
William Keppen says
(A) Critical areas should be OFF-LIMITS period. (B) Developers should submit a plan/s that conform with Easton’s current “Comprehensive Plan” or go elsewhere to maximize their profits. The two proposed developments referred to in this article fail in every aspect and would certainly unduely burden the existing residents of Easton, and for that matter, Talbot County.
Glenn C Baker says
Very well said. We need Mr. Montgomery on this council. Please vote!