A Joint Public Hearing of the City Council and Planning Board was held in the Council Chamber on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 6:00 P.M., for the purpose of discussing a proposed Zoning Ordinance amendment Section 5-3, Permit Uses, Wind Energy Facility. Notice of this meeting was posted on November 7, 2008 at 9:56 A.M. and advertised in the Salem News by the City Clerk on October 29, and November 5, 2008.
Councillors Veno and Pelletier were recorded as absent.
Councillor Lovely was recorded as arriving late at 6:18 P.M. and Councillor Furey was recorded as arriving at 6:25 P.M.
Councillor O’Keefe left the meeting early for another meeting at 7:00 PM.
Council President Michael Sosnowski presided.
Council President Michael Sosnowski introduced Charles Puleo, Planning Board Chairman and also the other members present of the planning Board: Nadine Hanscom, Timothy Kavanaugh, Pamela Lombardini, John Moustakis, Timothy Ready and Christine Sullivan and their clerk Danielle McNight. Also in attendance was Lynn Duncan City Planner.
Also in attendance was Tom Watkins of the Mayors Office, as representative of the Renewable Energy Task Force and alternate member Adam Segal.
Council President Michael Sosnowski turned the proceedings over to Tom Watkins.
Tom Watkins stated that this Ordinance stems from the Mayor’s Green Initiative for Alternative Energy. We are looking at Wind Power for economic benefits for the City. This Ordinance was created to streamline the process. They have been working with the Planning Department especially Amy Lash who is no longer with the City, who took the lead to get the wording for the Ordinance. This Ordinance was modeled after other City, Towns, and the States Ordinances. This Ordinance covers height, noise and the areas allowed for controls for applicant. The Planning Board would be the permitting agent for the City.
Councillor O’Keefe stated that he had to leave for another meeting at 7:00 PM but prepared a memorandum regarding height in case of a fire or other incident and submitted a copy for the record. He then recused himself and left for another meeting.
Councillor Lovely arrived at 6:18 PM.
Tom Watkins stated that the Commercial Height is 200 feet.
Councillor Prevey asked if the State have regulations on height.
Tom Watkins responded yes.
Councillor Sosnowski asked if the top of the arc was calculated into the height.
Tom Watkins responded yes.
Councillor Pinto asked about page 2 of the Ordinance Commerciial Scale (SP) for R3 is this a mistake?
Tom Watkins responded that he was not sure. He will check into this. The height is to the top of the blade.
Councillor Furey arrived at 6:25 PM.
John Moustakis from the Planning Board asked do they have a location in mind?
Tom Watkins stated they started testing at 40R Highland Avenue in June, Fort Avenue at the SESD site is also being tested and Salem Heights is being looked at.
John Moustakis stated it would help defray the cost on Page 7 #10.
Christine Sullivan, Planning Board Member, made comment that they are in Europe and there is no noise.
Nadine Hanscome raised concern with noise because once they are up you are stuck with it.
Tom Watkins stated that page 4 of the Ordinance, 6-j Noise, is adhering to the Massachusetts Noise Regulations. Newer turbines are made better. Anything greater than 1 decibel is not allowed.
Councillor Sosnowski stated two different companies one is quiet and one not, how do you deal with that?
Christine Sullivan stated along the shore in France there are many cottages and wind mills were quiet.
Nadine Hancome stated that some people purchase property for the ocean view now if there’s a wind turbine they may not want to look at it. We need to be considerate of that.
Tom Watkins stated that abutters are notified and there is a public process as any permitting.
Charles Puleo stated we have the ability as the Planning Board for discretion and look at it case by case. That’s why it’s a Special Permit.
Christine Sullivan stated that people don’t own the ocean.
Councillor McCarthy stated there was a feasibility study done at SESD this summer, on Page 2 of the Ordinance SESD is industrial would they need a Special Permit or would they be exempt?
Tom Watkins stated in regards to State Property I would have to defer to the Planning Department.
Councillor McCarthy asked what areas are we looking at, not to many properties meet the criteria. Is this Ordinance limiting us?
Tom Watkins replied that in June 2006 there were site surveys done for viable City properties. The properties are Winter Island, Forest River, Salem High School and possible park land.
Councillor McCarthy stated that the Ordinance is well written but his question was where and how much? Do other cities have ordinances?
Tom Watkins stated other cities that have an ordinance for Wind Energy are Beverly, Gloucester, Hull and Fair Haven.
Councillor McCarthy stated that it would be interesting to see their feedback. If you have opportunity to see the Wind Turbine in Hull, it’s huge. The one at the High School wasn’t overbearing. How big is that scale?
Adam Segal of the Renewable Energy Task Force stated he wasn’t sure how big the scale was.
Tom Watkins stated the chimney at the transfer station is 240 feet and commercial height is 200 feet for a comparison on how big.
Tim Ready – Planning Board member, stated that he’s seen the device and it’s so efficient. They are considering another one at Hull. The way we write the Ordinance could either invite or hinder so we need to be prudent.
Councillor McCarthy asked if Mr. Segal could tell us how property lines would not make it effective?
Tom Watkins stated metering legislation is at the State House right now, it’s allowing for one on Winter Island.
Tim Ready asked about page 3 of the ordinance Special Permit B Monopole Towers.
Tom Watkins responded he didn’t know other than a roof top.
Tim Ready stated it sounds like it would be rather large for a residential setting.
Councillor Sosnowski stated we have only addressed propellers, there are others. Are you considering it in your legislation? He also stated that Carlton School has one on their roof top.
There was no one appearing in opposition.
On the motion of Councillor Pinto the hearing was closed.
On the motion of Councillor Sargent the matter was referred to the Planning Board for their recommendation.
On the motion for Councillor McCarthy the hearing was adjourned at 7:00 P.M.
ATTEST: CHERYL A. LAPOINTE
CITY CLERK
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