Town of Monson Planning Board
29 Thompson Street
Monson, MA 01057
413-267-4111
Fax 267-4108
PLANNING BOARD MEETING
MINUTES MARCH 19, 2013
MEMBERS PRESENT: Craig Sweitzer, Tara Hengeveld and Karen King.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Paul Hatch and Kevin Haley
ALSO PRESENT: Andrew Boggs, Hecate Energy, Fazli Quadir, Hecate Energy, John Cologrande; Whitman Engineering, Jeffrey W. Roberts, Esq.
7:38 Craig Sweitzer reconvened the public hearing for a photovoltaic array proposed by Cornerstone Power Monson, LLC on Upper Palmer Road/Macomber Road.
Craig Sweitzer explained that the Planning Board is a five member board and two members were not in attendance. The applicant could request to continue to another meeting when more members were present or move forward with the three members present. Paul Hatch was present at the meeting on July 17, 2012 and may, after reading the minutes of this meeting, make a statement that he feels confident that he understands the subject matter sufficiently to make an informed decision.
Atty. Roberts, representing Hecate Energy stated they would proceed with this meeting but would ask the Board not to vote because the project has not been approved by the Monson Conservation Commission at this point in time. The plan has been through some revision and depending on the Conservation Commissions’ review of this plan may have to be revised again. If the Conservation Commission makes minor changes to the plan it would have no affect on the Planning Board and the Board could vote at its next meeting. If the Commission makes substantial changes then the plan would be revised. The Commission has required peer review for the stormwater analysis and that is in process.
John Cologrande, Whitman Engineering stated the plan has changed since the first hearing mainly due to wetlands. The northern end of the property along Upper Palmer Road has significant wetlands and that has reduced the amount of area that can be used. At the southern end of the property there is an open meadow and that parcel of land has now been newly incorporated into the project. A gravel road for ingress and egress into this area is proposed. The abandoned portion of Macomber Road is part of this project. The facility is un-manned and does not require water or sewer utilities. The solar arrays are combined locally at inverters and coordinated in a sub-station with National Grid. Mr. Cologrande stated there are three major changes with the new proposal.
- Phase 3 – The southern end of the property has been incorporated into the project to compensate for the area on the northern end of the property that is wet.
Dan Zollo, 14 Macomber Road questioned if the area under discussion was the field across the other side of Macomber Road.
Mr. Cologrande stated yes.
The solar panels are stationary with a clearance at the low end of two (2) feet and eight (8) feet eight (8) inches at the high end. They run parallel to the ground versus level and are designed specifically for steeper slopes.
- Phase 3 – The original plan proposed significant grading in the northeastern part of the property for phase 3. Instead of the significant grading it is proposed to use a special racking system for the panels that will follow the contours of the land. The special racking system will be used throughout the property.
- It is proposed to use Mountain Laurel and Rose Bay Rhododendron for screening. The plants will be a mature size 6 – 8 feet in height for the Rhodendron and approximately 3.5 – 5 feet high Mountain Laurel.
The property is to be surrounded by a six (6) foot chain link fence. There is fifteen (15) feet between the fence and the solar panels and seventy five (75) feet from the property line to the solar panels. The sub-station is the only part of the project that will be enclosed with a barb wire fence. The panels are connected and end up at a combiner box 12-15 panels long. The DC power then goes to an inverter to be converted to AC power. The inverter cabinet is mounted outside on a slab on grade. The power then goes to the transformer and ultimately to the sub-station.
Craig Sweitzer questioned the location of the transmission lines?
John Cologrande stated there are two existing utility easements across the property. It appears the poles will run north westerly along the access road approximately fifty (50) feet apart. In the original plan significant grading was proposed in the north easterly section of the property but now with a new racking system frame that holds the panels no grading is proposed. The slope of the land is within the limits of the manufacturers recommendations.
Craig Sweitzer questioned the material under the panels?
John Cologrande stated a mixed seed grass would be used that will require mowing approximately one a month. An application has been made to Mass Department of Environmental Protection to comply with stormwater at the State level.
Craig Sweitzer questioned the construction of the access roads?
John Cologrande stated it was proposed to have gravel roads within the project this would allow water to infiltrate and as required by the Town a paved apron for the entrance from the Town road.
Suzanne Leighton, 12 Macomber Road stated at the first hearing in July 2012 the abutters to the property on Macomber Road asked the applicant to consider an additional setback of one hundred (100) feet and questioned the status of that request?
Craig Sweitzer stated the Planning Board can only ensure that the applicant meets the criteria of the bylaw, and the bylaw requires a seventy five (75) foot setback. The plans under discussion this evening reflect a setback that is in compliance with the bylaw.
Fazli Quadir, Hecate Energy stated they did give the request serious consideration but because of environmental concerns many things have had to be changed and now it is a challenge to find space for the solar panels, for that reason the applicant is unable to meet the abutters’ request.
Eugene Quaglini, 62 Palmer Road questioned if plantings were proposed on the other side of the road?
John Cologrande stated the idea is to get as much screening as possible.
Tara Hengeveld questioned the width of the access road?
John Cologrande stated twenty (20) feet.
Craig Sweitzer questioned if the requirements of Section 6.23.6 of the Zoning Bylaws have been met?
Atty. Roberts stated he believed so because the applicant would not be able to get a building permit if the requirements were not met.
Craig Sweitzer questioned if any waivers would be requested as provided for in Section 6.23.10?
Atty. Roberts stated no.
Tara Hengeveld questioned if any lighting would be required?
Andrew Boggs, Hecate Energy stated he was not sure, lighting maybe required at the inverter or sub-station. He stated they would talk to emergency personnel when they get to that point.
Craig Sweitzer stated any approval by the Planning Board would be subject to approval by emergency personnel and the Monson Conservation Commission.
Tara Hengeveld moved to close the hearing.
Karen King seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
The Board discussed changing the date of the April Planning Board meeting in order to allow all members of the Board to be present.
8:45 Craig Sweitzer convened a public hearing to review a new Floodplain Bylaw that complies with the National Flood Insurance Program standards.
Craig Sweitzer read the legal notice as it appeared in the Republican newspaper the weeks of March 4 & 11, 2013. The purpose of the hearing is to replace the existing Floodplain Bylaw in its entirety with a new Floodplain Bylaw that meets the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) standards and establishes a new effective date for the Floodplain maps provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency of July 16, 2013. The Town has received new Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) from FEMA that identify areas of flood hazard in our community including Base Flood Elevations (BFE). The Town is required to hold a public hearing and adopt a Floodplain Bylaw that meets the national standards prior to July 16, 2013 as a condition of continued eligibility in the NFIP.
There were no residents of the Town in attendance other than Planning Board members.
Karen King moved to close the public hearing.
Tara Hengeveld seconded the motion.
It was so voted.
Karen King moved to recommend to the Board of Selectmen that an article be placed on the warrant for Special Town Meeting on Monday May 13, 2013 to replace the existing Floodplain Bylaw in its entirety with a new Floodplain Bylaw that complies with the National Flood Insurance Program standards.
Tara Hengeveld seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
Tara Hengeveld moved to table the minutes of February 19, 2013 until the next meeting.
Craig Sweitzer seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
Respectfully submitted
Karen King
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