Zoning Hearing Board Special Meeting 1/15/2026

The City of Easton's Zoning Hearing Board held a special meeting on January 15, 2026, to consider a special exception request related to construction activities in a floodplain, including the rerouting of a tributary, building a road, and constructing retention ponds. The meeting featured extensive technical testimony and cross-examination regarding the engineering and hydrological aspects of the proposed project, particularly focusing on the design and impact of a new stream channel. Expert witnesses debated the validity of methodologies used, regional hydrological data, and potential flood risks. Public comments expressed concerns about environmental impacts and community resources. After thorough deliberation, the board concluded that the applicant did not fully comply with all zoning ordinance requirements, finding the objectors' expert testimony more convincing. Consequently, the board voted to deny the special exception request.