Letter to Editor: Easton Crossing Project to Big

The Easton Planning Commission will consider the Easton Crossing project for site plan approval at its meeting on February 20th.

The Easton Crossing project will bring big changes to a central part of Easton.  It has many positive attributes: removing the derelict Perdue grain bins, creating many new rental apartments – including subsidized “workforce” units, retail space for local shops, and landscaping, which will enhance the Rails to Trails.   But the five-story apartment building planned for the interior of the site (“Building 409”) is inappropriate. As presented at the Staff Development Review meeting on January 22nd, it is too big and out of context with the adjacent two-story duplexes which line Higgins and South Streets. Also, the site plan fails to integrate the project into the historic Hill District.   The Planning Commission should seek changes to those parts of the project.

Furthermore, because the project is in the Planned Redevelopment Overlay district, the Planning Commission has the sole authority to issue approval.  However, due to this project’s significant impact on the Hill District, the Rails to Trails, and the character of the East End, the unelected Planning Commission should defer its authority and refer the project to the Town Council for final approval.

Maury Schlesinger

Easton