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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008 05 07 minutes Planning board.pdfTown of Enfield Planning Board Meeting May 7, 2008 Minutes Members Present: Virginia Bryant, Ann Chaffee, Rich Neno, Sr. Calvin Rothermich, Debbie Teeter, Doug Willis Excused: James McConkey Also Present: Herb Masser/Town Board liaison Call to order 7:05 p.m. April 2, 2008 Minutes: Several typos were offered by J. McConkey via email; motion to approve with corrections by D. Teeter, 2nd by R. Neno, Sr, approved without dissent. Old Business 1. Enfield Energy, LLC MET Tower: John Rancich presented information concerning the existing and proposed MET towers: • Photo of current tower • SQR short form for each tower plus a letter from DEC stating he doesn’t need to submit them • A map showing the location of both towers, including the items from the Site Plan Review procedure as specified at the last Planning Board Meeting C. Rothermich would like to the scale measurements in inches, in addition to meters. The tower will be 197’ tall. D. Teeter asked if the tower sites were at least the height of the towers from existing property lines – yes, they are. Mr. Rancich indicated the existing tower will move from one location to a second location, which is indicated on the map. D. Willis said he hasn’t heard any real complaints other than the original concerns that the Planning Board may have acted incorrectly, to which R. Neno, Jr. concurred. D. Willis asked how the data collected so far looks. Mr. Rancich replied it was excellent. D. Willis questioned the need for the 2nd tower; Mr. Rancich replied topography changes wind action. According to Site Plan Review, the next step in the process is a Public Hearing. There was some discussion as to the actual need for this, based on information from the DEC and what is likely to be included in the final Wind Law; however, Site Plan Review is all we have to refer to at this time, and we have begun that process, so it’s probably in the best interest of all involved to follow that procedure. The Planning Board can make a decision immediately following the Public Hearing if it so chooses, which would not present a time problem for Mr. Rancich. The Public Hearing will be held at the next meeting. 2. Wind Tower Ordinance: V. Bryant appealed to the board to work to offer a complete and thorough document to the Town Board. D. Teeter asked for a report from those that attended the recent Wind Ordinance Training in Cortland. R. Neno, Jr. and D. Willis reported that utility bills for those near existing wind farms have risen, and this will be an important piece to consider when approving any projects, as the compensation to the Town, and corresponding reduction in municipal taxes, will need to off set that increase to community members. There were also questions about the changing ownership of the Tug Hill Plateau wind facility and related problems for land owners. We need to make sure our law incorporates language that transfers obligations from one owner to the next. There are reports of discrepancies in what land owners and municipalities are compensations, so we want to make sure we consider whatever aspects of those issues might be appropriate. We also want to make sure the town is not obligated to take over this project at any time. The board began the process of reviewing the Hartsville Law in comparison with the Model Wind Law received by Town Board members at a training earlier this year and worked through the first 5 pages of the Hartsville Law while referring to the Model Ordinance. They will work on the next pages at the next meeting. Motion to adjourn at 8:24 p.m. by C. Rothermich, 2nd by R. Neno Sr., approved without dissent.