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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDRAFT-Minutes-04-07-2021-Town-of-Enfield-Planning-Board-MeetingTown of Enfield Planning Board Meeting Minutes (DRAFT) Wednesday April 7, 2021 7 PM Zoom.us/j/863 0628 6687 Call: landline or smartphone 646-876-9923 Password 14850 Minutes Attendance: Planning Board members; Dan Walker, Ann Chaffee, Henry Hansteen, Rich Teeter Planning Board Alternates: Joe Dawson, Aaron Abb Town Supervisor Stephanie Redmond, Town Councilmember Robert Lynch , Town Code enforcement Officer Alan Teeter, Planning Board Secretary Laura Norman Norbut representative Jim Taravella Family Life Network Representative Rick Snavely Call to order: Dan Walker, 7:00PM Motion to Approve Minutes: Minutes to be approved at the May 5th Meeting. 2nd: Vote: All Aye: All Nay: Consideration of Norbut Solar Enfield Applegate Road Final Site Plan and Subdivision Jim Taravella, Project Design Engineer for Norbut gave an update on the Norbut Solar Enfield Applegate Road Final Site Plan and Subdivision. Jim showed drawings that were revised so that the drawings comply with the 60% or less lot coverage an d to avoid the majority of wetlands. Jim stated that Norbut had contacted the Army Core of Engineers in order to build on the wetlands but had not had a response. Councilperson Robert Lynch questioned if the Army Core of Engineers was going to get out so that they can build on the wetlands. Jim Taravella stated that the Army Core of Engineers had a backlog and it could take a long time for them to get out. Jim Taravella went on to say that the new drawings were also using single axis trackers instead of the previously proposed fixed axis. Jim stated that based on communication with NYSEG that the Single Axis would be more efficient and cost effective. Henry Hansteen asked if the tracking system would reduce glare. Jim Taravella stated that the panels have anti-glare properties and that the glare analysis came back with no glare on the tracker system. Town Councilperson Robert Lynch stated concerns about how often the drawings had been changed and stated that he was uncomfortable approving the Plan. Dan Walker stated that the changes were actually minor and that the footprint was actually now smaller than the originally submitted plan. Town Councilperson Robert Lynch expressed concerns that the 300+ feet along Applegate Road could be subdivided and sold in the future. Jim Taravella stated that to do so would take them out of compliance and would make it easy for the board to take action. Jim Taravella went on to discuss the change to a Surety Bond. Town Supervisor Stephanie Redmond stated that the Town of Enfield had been advised that the Town of Enfield cannot accept Surety Bonds. Dan Walker stated that the Planning Board does not have fiscal responsibility for the Town of Enfield. The planning Board approves the site plan and then Norbut still needs to work out financial issues with the Town of Enfield in order for a Building Permit to be given to Norbut. Town Supervisor Stephanie Redmond stated that it was not in the Solar Law to accept Surety Bonds but that Norbut needs to schedule with the Town of Enfield Town Board. Arron Abb requested that Norbut send references of the names of other towns to talk to and discuss what those towns do in regards to Surety Bonds, Stephanie Redmond seconded this request. Dan Walker requested comments prior to voting on PB Resolution No. 2021-1 and stated that the 2 alternates would be voting since he was recusing himself and that Mike Carpenter was not in attendance. Rich Teeter agreed that the change in the Plan was minor and does not believe that the Planning Board should be concerned about and changes that were made since the Public Hearing creating any issues with the Public. Town Supervisor Stephanie Redmond stated that she thinks that the changes are great and liked that Norbut had the ability to preserve wetlands and forest. Town Councilperson Robert Lynch stated that Solar Farms are valuable and necessary but that they are ugly and that we should minimize farm land being taken up by Solar Farms and would like to see the plan reduced by another 25% and the proposed plan does not do that. Henry Hansteen stated that there is a big chained in area next door and that he personally likes the look of Solar Farms. Jim Taravella stated that when they put in the Solar Panels that they put in Polimer mix which will help to restore the land while the land is being used as a Solar Farm. Dan Walker stated that sheep have been used to keep weeds low and could actually increase agriculture. End of discussion Town of Enfield Planning Board, February 3, 2021 PB resolution No. 2021-1: Site Plan Approval and Subdivision Approval, Norbut Solar Farms, Enfield Solar Development, 56 Applegate Rd, Tax Parcel No. 9-1-28.1; 9-1-27; 9-1-11 Moved By- Henry Hansteen Second By – Aaron Abb WHEREAS: 1. This action is Consideration of Site Plan Approval for three 5 MWAC solar arrays. The system will be interconnected with the NYSEG utility grid at a POC on Applegate Road. JRB Partners LLC, Owner; NSF Enfield applicant, Jonathan Stone, Agent; and 2. This is a Unlisted Action for which the Town of Enfield Planning Board completed an uncoordinated environmental review and has made a negative determination of environmental significance in accordance with article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law and 6 NYCRR Part 617 New York State Environmental Quality Review for the above referenced action as proposed with respect to the Norbut Solar Farms Enfield proposal; and 3. The Planning Board, on April 7, 2021, has reviewed and accepted as adequate site plan drawings entitled “Enfield Solar Development” prepared by LaBella, dated March 2021; and 4. The Planning Board has reviewed additional supporting documents as required by the Enfield Site plan and Subdivision Regulations; and 5. The planning Board on April 7, 2021 has determined that the applicant has met the requirements of the Town Solar and Subdivision regulations regarding the site plan regulations, except for the final financial surety documents to be reviewed and finalized by the Town of Enfield Town Board; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the town of Enfield Planning Board hereby grants final site plan approval and subdivision approval with the following conditions to be met prior to issuance of a building permit for construction of the Building permit: 1. Acceptance by the Town Board of the form of financial surety for the decommissioning plan; 2. Resolution of the request for a PILOT agreement and Community Host Agreement By the Town Board. VOTE Ayes Ann Chaffee, Henry Hansteen, Rich Teeter, Joe D awson, Aaron Abb Nays None Abstained Dan Walker Absent Mike Carpenter Consideration of Application for Site Plan Approval of Family Life Network Radio Tower North of Enfield Center Road Rick Snavely stated that the Radio tower is 199 feet as going over that would have additional requirements. The Radio Tower base is 16 feet wide at the base in a triangle shape. An application to the FCC was filed on 4/7/2021. The Radio Tower will be a Class A 6 kilowatt and will be self-supporting. Rick will email the SEQR document to Planning Board members. 75% of programming is Contemporary Christian Music. Family Life is buying 100.9 and moving it to 100.1. By moving the location they can change from 3 kilowatts to 6 kilowatts. Family Life has 2 stations in Elmira and are moving one of them to Enfield, the sale is still pending. Translator in Ithaca will be moved to another area in need of a translator. Dan Walker stated that this is an acceptable site and that there will need to be a Public Hearing held on May 5th at 7PM to discuss the site plan for Family Life Network. Adjournment Henry Hansteen made a motion to adjourn at 8:43 PM Ann Chaffee seconded All Aye