DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD June 17, 2008 7:00 PM BENNINGTON FIRE FACILITY 126 RIVER STREET, BENNINGTON, VT MINUTES BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Charles Copp, Chair; Barry Hörst, Vice Chair; Al Ray, Ron Alderman, Bill Barney, Michael von Ouhl, Ryan Morse, and Milt Surdam. NOT PRESENT: Dan Malmborg. OTHERS PRESENT: Dan Monks, Zoning Administrator; Jason Dolmetsch and Jim Secor, MSK Design; Joe Maccioli; Brian Sallisky, SVMC; Marvin Risley, Design Engineer, Clough Harbor; Steve Clayman, Architect, Valley Brunsinger; Jamie and Gary McIntire, and Robyn Baker, Recording Secretary. Copp called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. 1. Minutes of June 3, 2008. Hörst moved and von Ouhl seconded approval of the minutes of June 3, 2008 as submitted. The motion carried. 2. Interested Persons - Appeal Rights - Reading of witness' oath Monks read the oath. 3. Disclosure of Ex parte Communications and Conflicts of Interest Copp will recuse himself on the hospital matter. 4. Alternates - Voting Assignments Surdham to vote on the hospital matter. 5. Bennington VA Clinic, 186 North Street, the applicant is seeking design approval for a new sign at its North Street property. Hörst reported that this application was reviewed by the Application Review Panel and meets all requirements. He indicated that the ARP recommends approval. Von Ouhl moved to approve the design as requested. Alderman seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 6. Joseph Maccioli, 1111 North Branch Street, the applicant is seeking development plan approval for a new maintenance garage at an existing trucking terminal on North Branch Street. The ARP reviewed this matter and determined that the matter requires a full board hearing. Dolmetsch indicated that this is a 40 x 60 building, wood frame, with vertical metal siding and asphalt shingles, barn red. There is adequate paving shown from the property line back along the driveway that is pre-existing. They have included incandescent motion sensor security lights. Secor explained that Maccioli is trying to be a good neighbor and trying to meet noise requirements. Certain projects require them to leave early in the morning. Noise should be screened by building, and the trucks will be located inside building, so noise should not be an issue in winter months while trucks are warming up. They are willing to provide mediation if there are any noise problems, including buffers, etc. Hörst asked about relocation of power lines, and Dolmetsch indicated the notes, but explained that they do not know what CVPS will require. Alderman asked and Monks indicated that this is an industrial zone, the only zone that allows such a use. Jamie McIntire, a resident of 1126 North Branch Street, addressed the board. She requested that the project include evergreens along the screening side to reduce noise. The current trees lose their leaves in the wintertime. Secor reported that Maccioli is willing to plant up to 8 evergreen type trees, 5-6 feet minimum height. Barney asked and Dolmetsch noted that there are two sets of downcast incandescent lighting. Barney asked how far it will extend, and Secor felt that it would be minimal, for security purposes. Barney asked about the hours of operation, and Secor indicated that they are normally 7 AM-5PM, but sometimes operate up to 24 hours per day. This is not designed as a repair shop, just minor maintenance to include simple repairs on their own trucks. Normal maintenance will only be done from 7AM to 6PM Mon - Fri. Gary McIntire addressed the board. He read from the Board Minutes of September 4, 2007 that explained that normal hours are 6AM to 10PM with trucks parked at Dailey's during the week, and on North Branch on weekends. He indicated that they have been parked on North Branch Street every day since October. He also reported that most of the trucks pull out between 2:30 and 6 AM, one at a time, 20-30 minutes apart. The drivers currently must move the truck out of its space before they are able to park their personal vehicles, slamming doors, etc. McIntire reports that this awakens every one in their household every time. He would like to enforce the 6Am to 10PM limit hours of operation. Copp felt that they should debate in closed session. Ray moved to close the matter to deliberative session. Hörst seconded. The motion passed unanimously. 7. Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, 100 Hospital Drive, the applicant is seeking development plan approval for a new central heating plant on the hospital property. Hörst conducted the hearing as Copp has recused himself from the matter. Brian Sallisky, SVMC; Marvin Risley, Design Engineer, Clough Harbor; and Steve Clayman, Architect, Valley Brunsinger presented this project to the Board. Risley explained that this is a heating and cooling plant for the hospital. Hospital management notified abutters 3-4 weeks ago and reviewed the project with them. He indicated the location of the new central plant, located next to an existing maintenance shed. They are proposing to house new boilers and chillers and emergency generators for the hospital. The existing equipment has outlived its useful life. The existing boilers don't have the capacity to provide sufficient heat if one is down for repairs or refitting. The space in the existing building in insufficient to expand. He indicated the location of the pond constructed 3-4 years ago, and the existing maintenance driveway. The building will house 4 boilers, an office area, stack, and chillers on second floor. The tank farm is for ice storage tanks for the coolers. The grey area indicated is gravel, which they will pave. Existing dumpsters will be relocated inside an enclosure. Clayman reviewed the structure of the simple metal building, 30 feet tall, and two stories high. Cooling towers are set to the rear of the building. There are entrance doors on the front and rear. It is set up for simple maintenance with the capacity to swap out equipment as necessary. Alderman asked the height of the existing building. Clayman indicated the old nursing school, and noted that the existing hospital is four levels. Ray asked about the trees. Risley indicated the location of trees along edge of parking lot. Most will need to be removed in order to build. They have not proposed to replace the trees, but, can add them if the board directs. Ray noted that tanks are indicated in different locations on the two different plans. Risley explained that the location was still undecided. Fuel delivery will remain in the current location, as they are reusing existing tanks and underground piping. The hospital made a significant investment in underground tanks five years ago. One of the advantage to the community is that the hospital is currently burning number 6 fuel oil, and this will convert to number 2, creating 60% less pollution, and more energy efficient. Ice storage will be used to reduce the peaks of electrical usage during the summer. They will make the ice during the night when usage is low, and use it during day to cool building when usage is high. These are circular tanks, about eight feet in diameter. Ray asked if wood chips had been considered. Clayman reported that it is difficult for the hospital as that boiler would be more difficult to maintain, and they would have increased liability issues, delivery and storage issues. The hospital currently burns 750,000 gallons of oil a year. Von Ouhl asked if the new building sits lower than the convalescent center, and Clayman noted that it is tucked down the slope, with a zone of natural woods around it, 190 feet to the closest property. Morse asked if the utility trench would restrict access, and Clayman noted that emergency access will be maintained while it is buried. Barney asked if there would be any ledge removed. Clayman doesn't believe that will be necessary according to test borings. He also asked about the noise levels from coolers, and Clayman reported that there have been lots of discussion with neighbors, and due to modern technology, and the variable frequency drives, which ramp up and ramp down, they are more energy efficient, no loud noise. Hörst asked about decibel readings. Clayman indicated that they are bringing on an acoustical engineer. One generator will be inside the building. They will look at the current volumes and make sure that they aren't doing anything louder. Typically, the generators are the biggest noise producer, which will be cycled once a week for testing, and used during a power outage. Hörst asked that the boundary line be indicated on the plan. Surdam asked why they chose this site. Clayman explained that they originally planned it closer to the existing building, but the footprint wasn't practical to locate it closer to the hospital, as it impacted future growth. The closer to the building, the higher the stack has to be. This seems to be the perfect location. Hörst asked if any analysis has been done regarding current sheet drainage, and Clayman reported that they are working with the state storm water committee. They won't be able to use the existing basin, so they will be meeting all state requirements for storm water management. Data will be available at a later date. They will submit the plan when the permit is issued. Barney asked, and Clayman explained that construction is scheduled to begin in September, with one year for construction, to bring it on-line for 2009-2010 heating season. Barney asked about additional water usage, and Clayman indicated that the boilers and chillers won't use any more. The office in the building requires rest rooms, water and sewer, so they will need to relocate the water line shown on plan. Emergency generators are to support chillers and boilers, not the entire hospital. The generator will be inside the building, chillers will be inside the building, cooling towers will be on top. Ms. Briggs asked if the hospital had considered solar heat. Clayman explained that much of the roof will be covered with equipment required to run the system. Boilers will be set up to run bio-oil, as well as traditional fuel. Solar power is not sufficient to generate the amount of heat required. She felt that it could be incorporated as a partial solution. She supports innovation as well as stepping into the future. The Board would like to review decibel levels, and data on sheet draining at the next meeting. Von Ouhl moved to approve the preliminary development plan with notes. Alderman seconded. The motion passed unanimously. 8. Casella Waste Management, Inc. and Town of Bennington, 906 Houghton Lane, the applicant has requested a continuance. Hörst moved to grant the continuance as requested. Barney seconded. The motion passed unanimously. 8. Other Business As there was no further business, Von Ouhl moved to adjourn. Ray seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:47 PM. Respectfully submitted, Robyn Baker Minutes Secretary