It is election season in Easton, and naturally the candidates’ views on growth and development are front and center. Mayoral candidate Al Silverstein promises in his campaign literature “to focus on preserving Easton’s small town character.” Ward 3 candidate Ron Engle states that he “will ensure all commercial development … is done to enhance the town of Easton … using infill, not sprawl.”
Actual voting records belie these campaign platitudes.
Until two years ago Easton’s zoning ordinance included, with limited exception, a 65,000 square foot “cap” on retail stores in order to limit “big box” development. But in February 2021 Mr. Silverstein voted to amend the zoning ordinance for the express purpose of facilitating development of a 130,000 square foot Home Depot big box on Route 50 in Easton. So much for “preserving our small town character.”
Mr. Engle similarly voted for the Home Depot exception, even though the new big box was slated to arise from a corn field at the intersection of Route 50 and Chapel Road. So much for “enhancement” of the town by prioritizing “infill, not sprawl.”
In Mr. Silverstein’s view, Easton needs to expand its growth on the east side of Route 50. Mr. Engle observed that “Easton is already a regional commercial center” so a new big box store would fit right in. Council member Elmer Davis provided the third vote, and the zoning amendment for the benefit of Home Depot passed 3-2. Council members Megan Cook and Don Abbatiello dissented.
The preexisting 65,000 square foot cap on retail stores was intended to implement Easton’s Comprehensive Plan. That plan, developed by hundreds of Easton’s citizens, states that big box stores should be “very limited,” and that “no new areas of regional retail” are on the planning horizon. The Easton Planning Commission reviewed the proposed Home Depot zoning amendment before it reached the Town Council, and concluded – through a unanimous 5-0 vote – that it was inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan, and that any relaxation of the proscription on big box development should be considered in connection with citizen development of the new Comp Plan, which is now underway.
But Messrs. Silverstein and Engle ignored the guidance of the Comprehensive Plan, and dismissed the recommendation of their own Planning Commission, apparently eager to make way for a new big box. In doing so, they also dismissed the desires of the many Easton citizens who developed the limitations on major retail in the current Comprehensive Plan.
It is noteworthy that, with an election pending, neither Mr. Silverstein nor Mr. Engle is touting these efforts to bring new big box development to our community. But in considering the candidates for Mayor, and for Council member from Ward 3, voters might want to compare current campaign promises with what actual voting records plainly reveal.
Tom Alspach serves on the Board of the Talbot Preservation Alliance.
Holly Wright says
In 2021 at a time when we citizens were dissatisfied with the virtual monopoly home supply retailer, we were happy with the Town Council’s willingness to allow the Planning Commission to receive a proposal from a competitive Home Supply retailer on Route 50 and Chapel Road. Town Planning Staff reminds me that this was done by adding another exemption to the zoning code, in this case for GSF limit for the category of home supply retailers only. Home Depot chose not to follow through and this was a loss for Easton and Talbot County.
We’re all aware that Al Silverstein, Ron Engle, and Rev. Davis responded here to the needs of the working men and women for affordable convenient home supply products and services. The exemption which was added was just for home supply businesses and in no way granted approval for any specific project. It just allowed the Planning Commission to consider a submission through planned unit development process.
The Town Council, and certainly the Mayor, are not there to jump through absolutist hoops of single issue interest groups such as yours. They are there to balance the interests of the community with practical moderation. I urge voters to support Al Silverstein and Ron Engle.
.
Bob Wenneson says
The existing big-box (Lowes) does not have a “virtual monopoly” for home supply although they agreeably have the most commanding presence. For lumber there is Warrens for big bulk purchase or just a couple 2x4s (often even cheaper). There is nearby (in Easton) a roofing supply store and at least two plumbing/HVAC supply stores. For paint there’s Sherwin Williams and Avon Decorating (Benj Moore). There are at least two electrical supply stores. Just opened is a large tool supplier in the Amish Market shopping center. There is Easton Hardware for meeting one’s needs for many odds-and-ends or when time is particularly important. Cambridge is only 20 minutes away with 2 mid-sized general hardware stores. And really, for the particular need that sometimes arises (but not at all often) yes, one can do the across the bridge trek to where big-boxes are plentiful.
What one might characterize as a single-issue organization or interest (development/character of our town and county) is not truly a “single issue”. The issue overlaps many areas – character of our town, funding for schools and police, taxation, environmental concerns, willingness of our local leaders to allow attorney-ed up out of town developers to make their money and run, etc. And even if one were to consider such groups or interests as “single issue”, local polling has shown it to be issue number 1 for a preponderance of citizens.
Mike McConnel says
Spot on Tom & nicely done! I am reminded of the duplicity that is rampant.
Mike McConnel
Reed Fawell 3 says
Yes, I agree – spot on and nicely done, and very useful to know, Tom.
Rita Connolly says
We did not move to Easton 34 years ago for shopping convenience. The exact opposite. We came for the beauty and pleasant atmosphere.