Easton meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Easton Council to weigh ADU zoning, data center moratorium; boards review fence, veterinary, and thrift store plans

Easton's Town Council is set to hold a public hearing on accessory dwelling unit (ADU) zoning and consider a temporary moratorium on data centers at its Aug. 17 meeting, according to the agenda. No votes have been taken yet, as minutes have not been published. The council also will consider a zoning amendment to allow data centers, a PUD amendment for Lowe's Home Centers, and tax abatements for the Neighborhood Service Center.

Town Council (Aug. 17)

The council's agenda includes a public hearing on Ordinance 861, which would amend ADU zoning to align with state law. Also listed are Ordinance 862 (Lowe's Home Centers PUD amendment), Ordinance 863 (a 12-month moratorium on data center permits), Ordinance 864 (creating a "data center" use in the zoning ordinance), and Resolution 6226 (abatements for the Neighborhood Service Center). All items are pending.

Historic District Commission (Aug. 10)

The commission will review several Certificate of Appropriateness applications, including a cedar fence at 229 S. Aurora Street, signs at 11 S. Harrison Street, a porch replacement at 519 Goldsborough Street, and an emergency roof repair at 43 S. Washington Street. It will also vote on an amendment to a previously approved porch project at 208 Goldsborough Street and approve minutes from July 27.

Staff Development Review (Aug. 13)

A pre-submission proposal from Lane Engineering LLC on behalf of Easton Veterinary Clinic seeks to add a 220-square-foot x-ray room and associated improvements at 8942 Centreville Road. The property is in the I (Industrial) zoning district.

Board of Zoning Appeals (Aug. 18)

The board reviewed two active requests: a variance for a 72-inch fence at 630 Howard Street and a special exception for an animal hospital at 7906 & 7894 Ocean Gateway. A special exception request for a multifamily apartment complex at 327 N. Aurora Street was withdrawn before the meeting.

Affordable Housing Commission (Aug. 18)

The commission's agenda includes a TIS funding request, a rental renovation program, and a closed session to review individual finances of renovation contractors. It also received updates on the 305 South Street property and the Home Purchase Assistance Program relaunch.

Planning Commission (Aug. 20)

The commission was set to vote on a temporary-use permit for a thrift store at 25 E. Dover Street, running from April 30 to December 31, 2026. It also heard a presentation on the scope of work for the Easton Comprehensive Master Transportation Plan, including traffic assessments and strategies for a resilient transportation network.

Coming up

• **Historic District Commission (Aug. 24):** Five alteration requests, including tree removal at 112 Talbot Street, porch portico replacement at 117 S. Hanson Street, front door replacement at 405 S. Harrison Street, exterior alterations at 601 Goldsborough Street, and a slate roof replacement with synthetic slate at 11 N. Washington Street (Talbot County Courthouse).
• **Park Advisory Board (Aug. 25):** Routine items, including minutes, updates from the Parks and Recreation Director and Town Engineer, and remarks on disc golf.
• **Staff Development Review (Aug. 27):** Pre-submission review of three proposals: private motor vehicle storage at 327 N. Aurora Street (Elliott Equipment Co. Inc.), and two utility conduit installations by Easton Utilities Commission (3,627 linear ft. from Mistletoe Dr./Goldsborough Neck Rd. to Substation #3, and 4,056 linear ft. from Substation #3 to future Substation #5).

All recent meeting minutes are not yet published, so no official decisions are confirmed. Residents are encouraged to attend or review the official agendas for details.

No decisions yet, but Easton boards face full agendas on zoning, historic reviews

Easton's town boards have not issued any decisions in the past two weeks; all recent meetings were agenda-only, with minutes not yet published. The most consequential items on the horizon are the Town Council's consideration of a zoning amendment for Lowe's Home Centers and acceptance of land for a park access road, but those have not been acted on. Several other boards have significant items on upcoming agendas, including historic property reviews, a veterinary clinic expansion, and a temporary thrift store permit.

Recent meetings (agenda only)

Historic District Commission — July 27

The commission reviewed four applications for exterior modifications:

• Replacement of cedar siding, window, and door at 116 Goldsborough Street
• Installation of 57.5 inches of black acrylic lettering at 126 Port Street
• Demolition of a historic rear accessory structure/shed at 130 N. Washington Street
• Expansion of a 3rd floor and exterior renovations at 17 E. Dover Street

No minutes have been published.

Park Advisory Board — July 28

The agenda was procedural, with items from the Director of Parks and Recreation and the Town Engineer. No specific actions were listed.

Town Council — Aug. 3

The council held a public hearing on Ordinance No. 859 to amend Chapter 28 (Zoning) regarding mobile food uses. It also considered:

• Ord. 860: Acceptance of land from Talbot County for an Easton Woodland Park access road
• Ord. 862: Planned Unit Development amendment application for Lowe's Home Centers, LLC

No votes were recorded in the agenda.

Upcoming meetings

Historic District Commission — Aug. 10 (today)

The commission will consider several Certificate of Appropriateness applications, including:

• Amendment to a previously approved cement porch and steps at 208 Goldsborough Street
• New COA for 103 linear feet of cedar picket fence at 229 S. Aurora Street
• New COA for cedar fence and gate at 220 S. Harrison Street
• New COA for two 24x30-inch signs at 11 S. Harrison Street
• Emergency approval for roof shingle replacement at 43 S. Washington Street

It will also vote on minutes from the July 27 meeting.

Easton Staff Development Review — Aug. 13

Lane Engineering LLC, on behalf of Easton Veterinary Clinic, will present a pre-submission proposal for a 220-square-foot x-ray room addition and associated facility improvements at 8942 Centreville Road (Tax Map 0100, Grid 00EA, Parcel 0035, Lot 1). The property is zoned I (Industrial).

Board of Zoning Appeals — Aug. 18

The board will review two active requests:

• Variance (V-1789/V26-05) for a 72-inch fence at 630 Howard Street
• Special exception (SE-1775/SE26-07) for an animal hospital at 7906 & 7894 Ocean Gateway

A special exception request for a multifamily apartment complex at 327 N. Aurora Street (SE-1784/SE26-08) was withdrawn prior to the meeting.

Planning Commission — Aug. 20

The commission will vote on a temporary-use permit for a thrift store at 25 E. Dover Street (Application 2026-1771), running from April 30 to December 31, 2026. It will also hear a presentation on the Easton Comprehensive Master Transportation Plan scope of work by Larry Marcus (Forward Progress), covering traffic assessments and strategies for aligning development with a resilient transportation network. Minutes from the previous session will be approved.

Coming up

• **Historic District Commission** — Aug. 10, 2026
• **Easton Staff Development Review** — Aug. 13, 2026
• **Board of Zoning Appeals** — Aug. 18, 2026
• **Planning Commission** — Aug. 20, 2026

All meetings are open to the public. Check the town's official website for agendas and any changes.

Easton council agendas weigh mobile food zoning, Lowe's display expansion, and 68-unit Aurora Street proposal

Easton's recent government meetings were dominated by land-use questions — from a proposed 68-unit apartment building on North Aurora Street to a Lowe's request to expand outdoor shed and trailer displays at 501 Glebe Road. Because minutes have not yet been published for any of the July meetings, no final decisions are confirmed in the available record; the items below reflect what each body was scheduled to consider.

Town Council — July 20

The council's agenda included several consequential items:

• **Ordinance No. 860** — Acceptance of land from Talbot County for an access road to Easton Woodland Park.
• **Public hearing** on Lowe's Home Centers' request to amend its Planned Unit Development (PUD) for an expanded shed and trailer display at 501 Glebe Road.
• **Audit services** — Adoption of a Statement of Work with CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP.
• **Mobile food pilot program** — A letter from the Planning & Zoning Commission chair on making the pilot permanent.
• **Waterfowl Festival** — A presentation by the executive director on a transportation plan and liquor permits.

The agenda also called for approval of minutes from the July 6 meeting.

Staff Development Review — July 23

The Town Council reviewed a pre-submission proposal from Lane Engineering, LLC, submitted on behalf of Elliott Equipment Co., Inc. The request would demolish existing structures at 327 N. Aurora Street and construct a 68-unit multi-family building in the CB zoning district. The council was scheduled to discuss the project's compliance with zoning and development guidelines. This is a pre-submission proposal, meaning it is an early-stage review, not a final approval.

Historic District Commission — July 23

The commission was set to review four applications for exterior modifications within historic districts:

• Replacement of cedar siding, a window, and a door at 116 Goldsborough Street.
• Installation of 57.5 inches of black acrylic lettering at 126 Port Street.
• Demolition of a historic rear accessory structure/shed at 130 N. Washington Street.
• Expansion of a third floor and exterior renovations at 17 E. Dover Street.

Park Advisory Board — July 28

The Park Advisory Board's agenda consisted of procedural boilerplate, with items from the Director of Parks and Recreation and the Town Engineer. No specific agenda items were listed.

Coming up

The Town Council meets today, August 3, with several items carrying over from the July 20 agenda:

• **Public hearing on Ordinance No. 859** to amend Chapter 28 (Zoning) regarding Mobile Food Uses.
• **Ordinance No. 860** — Acceptance of land from Talbot County for an Easton Woodland Park access road.
• **Ordinance No. 862** — Planned Unit Development amendment application for Lowe's Home Centers, LLC.

Residents interested in the mobile food zoning rules, the park access road land transfer, or the Lowe's display expansion may want to attend or follow the August 3 meeting.

Easton Council Tackled Comprehensive Plan, $2M Recycling Contract; Historic District and Planning Reviews on Tap

Easton's boards and commissions covered a wide range of land-use, housing, and infrastructure matters over the past two weeks. Because minutes have not yet been published for any of the recent meetings, items below reflect what was on each agenda — not confirmed outcomes.

Town Council — July 6

The Town Council's agenda centered on two public hearings and votes: adoption of the 2026 Comprehensive Plan under Resolution 6221, and authorization of a Community Development Block Grant application for the Osprey senior affordable housing project under Resolution 6224. The council was also scheduled to accept a Republic Services bid for annual recycling services for fiscal years 2027 through 2029 in the amount of $2,001,429.

Two new Easton Police Department officers, Tucker Lytle and Chase Fletcher, were to be introduced. Presentations on the agenda included an Eagle Scout project, Talbot Senior Task Force findings, Complete Streets, and Bay Street Ponds. The meeting opened with a closed session to discuss a business location proposal.

Affordable Housing Commission — July 7

The commission's agenda included approval of June 16, 2026 meeting minutes and discussion of a TIS funding request for a rental renovation program. Members were set to review the Gannon's Range project, listed at 37 lots and $111,000, and receive an update on Osprey Senior Housing approval. A relaunch of the Home Purchase Assistance Program was also on the agenda.

Historic District Commission — July 13

The commission was scheduled to consider three applications to alter contributing historic properties:

• Application 2026-1760: partial demolition and reconstruction of the primary structure at 15 S. Hanson Street, the Critchlow Adkins Children's Center.
• Application 2026-1767: replacement of cedar siding and installation of a new window at 116 Goldsborough Street.
• Application 2026-1770: installation of a 40" x 18" PVC sign at 36 S. Washington Street.

The agenda also listed a corrective action notice for 601 Goldsborough Street and approval of the draft decision summary from the June 22, 2026 meeting.

Planning Commission — July 16

Three sketch site plans were on the agenda: redevelopment of the Talbot County Humane Society facility at 7906 and 7894 Ocean Gateway; construction of an 8,000-square-foot pole building for the Talbot County Roads Department at 605 Port Street, with multiple landscaping and buffering waivers; and installation of water and wastewater infrastructure for UM Shore Regional Medical Center at 1 Medical Center Drive, which included a supplemental waiver request for tree planting and bufferyard requirements.

The commission was also scheduled to make a recommendation to the Town Council on a zoning text amendment for Accessory Dwelling Units, following House Bill 1466 (2025).

Coming Up

Town Council — Monday, July 20: A public hearing is scheduled on Lowe's Home Centers' request to amend its Planned Unit Development for an expanded shed and trailer display at 501 Glebe Road. The council will also consider Ordinance No. 860 to accept land from Talbot County for an access road to Easton Woodland Park, adopt a statement of work for audit services by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, review a Planning and Zoning Commission letter on making the mobile food pilot program permanent, and hear a presentation by the Waterfowl Festival executive director on a transportation plan and liquor permits.

Staff Development Review — Thursday, July 23: The Town Council will review a pre-submission proposal from Lane Engineering, LLC for Elliott Equipment Co., Inc., to demolish existing buildings at 327 N. Aurora Street and construct a 68-unit multi-family building in the CB zoning district.