As Easton continues to see new large-scale developments with modern designs, residents have raised concerns about whether those projects fit into the historic city.
Recent projects such as The Marquis, The Watermark and The Confluence, which is currently under construction, have drawn attention for their multi-story scale and contemporary style in a city with historic architecture and colonial roots.
During an Easton Planning Commission meeting in September, discussions of a condo building on South Third Street allowed residents to advocate for historic preservation in the city. Many noted this complex was too large in scale compared to other downtown structures.
Some called it box-like and similar to New York City in an unflattering way.
Those concerns emerged again at Easton City Council’s Wednesday night meeting, as residents raised concerns about historic preservation, zoning enforcement and the impact of new development on longtime residents.
These concerns come to light as Easton prepares to update its comprehensive plan. Last adopted in 2017, the plan is a comprehensive document that guides Easton’s planning and the city’s future.
Resident and local attorney Cody Harding told council that Easton’s light, air, water and historic character should be treated as shared public resources. He argued that those resources are often compromised for large developments.
Harding also emphasized that zoning and planning ordinances exist to guide growth, and frequent requests for multiple variances weaken the city’s ability to reject similar projects in the future.
“Private individuals who are trying to restore their property or open a business should be treated the same as large developers,” Harding said. “I don’t think that’s always been the case, and I would hope that that would change.”
He also suggested amending specific zoning requirements sooner rather than waiting for the completion of a new comprehensive plan.
Mayor Sal Panto Jr. explained that current ordinances in the Downtown Business District allow buildings up to seven stories, but said those limits will be revisited as part of the new comprehensive plan.
He said he plans to recommend height limits of three stories for structures west of Fifth Street and potentially five stories downtown under the updated plan.
Another resident, Ryan Gilbride, who owns and maintains multiple historic properties on South Sixth Street, said strict historic standards require significant investment and specialized materials.
He said new projects should be required to respect Easton’s unique and finite downtown fabric in the same way small property owners are expected to do.
“You have these developers coming in, and they want to build a building where you can look online and find five other buildings designed the same way in Philadelphia or Allentown,” he said. “I’ll spend good money to maintain everything I own. I have to hold myself to that standard, because that’s what’s asked of me, and also it’s the right thing to do.”