DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD MARCH 6, 2007 7:00 PM BENNINGTON FIRE FACILITY 126 RIVER STREET MINUTES BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Charles Copp, Chair; Barry Hörst, Vice Chair; Bill Barney; Michael von Ouhl and Al Ray. ABSENT: Richard Owens, and Ron Alderman. ALTERNATE BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: None. OTHERS PRESENT: Dan Monks, Zoning Administrator; Jim Secor; Keith Martin; Charles & Lynn Keir; Kurt Moore, Andy McBeth, Frances Morrissey, Denise Callander, Sam Restino; Bill LaFlamme; and Robyn Baker, Recording Secretary. Charles Copp called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. 1. Minutes of February 20, 2007 Von Ouhl moved and Hörst seconded approval of the minutes of February 20, 2007 as presented. The motion carried. Barney abstained. 2. Interested Persons - Appeal Rights - Reading of witness' oath Monks read the appeal rights and witness oath. 3. Disclosure of Ex parte Communications and Conflicts of Interest None. 4. Alternates - Voting Assignments None. 5. Keith Martin, 735 Main Street, The applicant is seeking development plan approval for the demolition of the existing Pet Pantry building, the relocation of two non-conforming gas station pump island canopies and other site improvements. Jim Secor and Keith Martin presented the project to the Board. Monks explained that this is the first of two required hearings for preliminary review. Secor explained that they are proposing to combine two service stations at the intersection of East Main and Beech Street, The Pet Pantry and Mincers Mini Mart. They propose to remove the fuel tanks at the Pet Pantry, and add an additional tank. They will relocate an existing pump island canopy, and take down the Pet Pantry building. They will put the diesel tanks onto a concrete pad. There will be three curb cuts. They are decreasing the existing curb cuts in other locations by about 50%. Canopy lighting is now 400 watt metal halide fixtures under the smaller canopy, with six on the Pet Pantry piece. The new canopy will have four 175 watt fixtures to decrease wattage by 60%. New fixtures will be full cutoffs; the existing fixtures are surface mounted. The existing Mobil sign will be relocated; all other signage will be removed from the site, decreasing 175 square feet of signage. There will be a small addition on the Mincers piece for additional sales area and cooler space. They are adding tree plantings around the perimeter of the site. The new design will improve the flow of truck traffic for both safety and access. One of the curb cuts is an easement to a secondary lot that needs to be maintained. Secor reviewed storm water, and explained that the impervious area will be decreased. He indicated the location of the catch basins. Canopies will also be connected to the discharge. They will add and repair curbing and sidewalks along E. Main as part of the project. Ray asked, and Secor agreed to depict the sidewalks on the next drawings. Secor explained that the dumpster is currently screened by the building. Hörst asked about the easement, and Secor indicated that all traffic patterns will be paved. Ray asked, and Secor indicated that eight vehicles could fuel at once, not including diesel. Hörst reviewed the wattage of the new lighting. The average lumination is 9.6 with the 175 watt fixtures, and the Bylaw calls for 5. Secor indicated that they have decreased the wattage by over 65%. The lights will be at 15' to the underside of the canopy. Copp asked and Secor reviewed the turning patterns for the delivery trucks. Barney asked, and Martin indicated that deliveries usually occur during the middle of the night. Hörst asked if the hedge on the western access provided a sufficient line of site. Secor explained that the hedge has been pulled back slightly. Copp asked that elevation drawings of the canopies be provided, and Secor presented pictures which will be included in the next package. Ray asked about the time frame and Secor explained that this would be a spring project. Hörst moved to grant preliminary approval as presented. Ray seconded. The motion passed unanimously. 6. Bennington Green Mountain LLC, Fillmore Street, The applicant is seeking preliminary subdivision plan approval for a 51 lot Planned Residential Development (PRD) off of the above location. Secor presented the matter to the Board and reviewed the changes since the previous hearing. They plan to access the development from Fillmore, with a second access on West Street. The project will have municipal water and sewer. He reviewed the storm water plans, and explained that new culverts will be installed, as well as catch basins piping on site to a settlement pond. They will need state storm water construction permits and will restrict the discharge so there are no offsite impacts. Secor explained that Holt Springs and an historic dam will be preserved. The project will be developed in four phases. They will turn the roadways, water and sewer over to the town when complete. He explained that they have received water and sewer approval from the town. There will be curbing and sidewalk along the entire site. Secor explained that they are under discussion with Lemieux to come to an agreement about a right of way access to their land-locked piece. Secor explained that they are giving up their right of way access over the Walker property as they don't need it. There will be a buffer area ten feet from the water line. Barney asked about the location in relation to the southern leg of the Bypass, and Secor indicated the location in relation to the CVPS power line. Ray asked about Note 4 which should be West St., not East. Secor agreed that West is the lower street of the upper development. Ray asked, and Secor indicated the location of the gravel road access. There is a possible third access in the future. Secor indicated that the bylaw requires that the infrastructure has to be deeded over to the town, but he would prefer not to. Monks explained that the town would prefer to take ownership of the roadway. Secor indicated that was acceptable to his client. Copp asked, and Secor agreed to put the slope on the print. Bill LaFlamme, a resident of Fillmore explained that he is still concerned with the traffic impact. He fears that this project will increase traffic by 300-400 trips per day. He explained that he has also spoken with people on West who feel it will be easier to come down Fillmore than out onto Burgess. Frances Morrissey was representing the Lemieux'. He explained that his client has land that is landlocked by lands owned by the applicant. They have an undescribed right of way. He requests that the board direct the applicant to grant a defined right of way from the extension of the unnamed road which goes to the west of his clients' boundary to other lands owned by applicant for ingress, egress, and utility lines. Barney asked, and Morrissey indicated that this is vacant land - 2.3 acres. The proposed southerly edge of the bypass may encumber about 1/3 of the easterly edge of his clients' property. Secor indicated that they have prepared a proposal, and just received comments from Morrissey. Secor feels that they will have an agreement before they come back to the Board. Ray asked and Secor indicated the location of the Lemieux property on the plan. Barney asked about utilities, and Secor explained that they will be underground. Barney moved to close the hearing to deliberative session. Von Ouhl seconded. The motion passed unanimously. 7. Allegro Associates, East Road, The applicant is seeking development plan approval for a 30,000 sq. ft. warehouse distribution facility. This is the second hearing. Andy McBeth and Kurt Moore were representing FW Webb. They presented view shed analysis that they feel addressed most of the items in the January 18 memo. Additional renderings were distributed to the board. There have been some minor adjustments to the landscaping, and revised plans were submitted. Some trees were removed that weren't adding value. All landscaping in renderings is on revised plans. The storage yard will be entirely screened by an 8 ft opaque chain link fence with vinyl slats. In addition, it is heavily landscaped around the fence, directly against it by a combination of conifer and deciduous trees. There is landscaping around the perimeter of the parking area. The East and southern side of the building are masonry. A sample was available for the Board's review, as well as the galvanized, standing seam metal roof. There was a previous concern indicated about brightness, but it was explained that the material dulls quickly. They have added industrial canopies at the exit doors. More articulation has been added, as well as windows at the second floor level to dress up the east side. There is a light color band through the masonry. The back of the building is ribbed metal panel in FW Webb gray. A sample was presented. There is a heavy existing tree line, and the remnants of a stone wall screen the site. The pad indicated on the rendering is the location for the air conditioning condenser. Copp asked about the air conditioner pad, on the site plan it is indicated behind the bushes. The site plan is incorrect. Parking area well screened. The applicant presented a letter from the manager of the Rutland facility describing their policy on storage in yard, as well as photographs of the Rutland store. The yard is kept orderly, and stores mostly piping and storage tanks. Ray asked about the 8' fence. Barney asked and the applicant noted that all existing vegetation is shown on the renderings, as well as the additions. Barney asked the size of what would be added. The planting schedule gives size at installation. The renderings depict a 4-5 year growth. The arborvitae will be 5' at planting. Undisturbed areas will be left as they are. Disturbed areas will be grassed. Copp asked about the roof, and McBeth indicated that it would be a 1/4' pitch to the north. Moore reported that a traffic summary was also included. Ray moved to close hearing to deliberative session. Barney seconded. The motion passed unanimously. 8. Other Business None. Von Ouhl moved to adjourn at 8:04. Barney seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Robyn Baker Minutes Secretary