DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD September 2, 2008 7:00 PM BENNINGTON FIRE FACILITY 126 RIVER STREET, BENNINGTON, VT MINUTES BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Charles Copp, Chair; Ron Alderman, Bill Barney, Michael von Ouhl, Ryan Morse, Al Ray, and Milt Surdam. NOT PRESENT: Barry Hrst, and Dan Malmborg. OTHERS PRESENT: Dan Monks, Zoning Administrator; Richard Benoit, and Robyn Baker, Recording Secretary. Copp called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. 1. Minutes of August 19, 2008. Von Ouhl moved and Ray seconded approval of the minutes of August 19, 2008 as presented. The motion passed unanimously. 2. Interested Persons - Appeal Rights - Reading of witness' oath Monks read the oath. 3. Disclosure of Ex parte Communications and Conflicts of Interest Morse and Surdam will recuse themselves from the Garlic Festival matter. 4. Alternates - Voting Assignments All members present were voting. 5. Written Decision Jade Realty of Vermont, LLC, 897 North Bennington Road The decision was amended to report that Morse was also present and voting during that decision. Alderman moved to authorize the chair to sign. Von Ouhl seconded. The motion passed unanimously. 6. Plasan Carbon Composites, Michael Hernandez, 811 U.S. Route 7 South, the applicant is seeking a determination that proposed use of 811 U.S. Route 7 as a research and development facility for automotive related carbon composite products complies with the Land Use & Development Regulations. Richard Benoit was representing Plasan Carbon Composites. e explained that they are planning on expanding operations, and are looking for a facility to house their R&D center. This building fits theire needs. The applicant constructs body panels for the automotive industry. This site was formerly an automobile dealership. There won't be any waste water or hazardous waste. There will be seven employees including six engineers. The automotive industry is looking to save weight and increase strength as hybrids are developed. Barney asked if products would be manufactured there. Benoit explained that they will be improving the process that they currently use. They have purchased another autoclave, a pressurized vessel that lets air into the atmosphere. This is a seven foot diameter vessel, which will produce less noise than their current facility, for approximately 10-15 seconds at a time. This will only operate during the day. No exterior lighting to be added. They plan to upgrade the power coming into the building. The exterior will be landscaped and kept up, but they aren't proposing any changes or signage. They are currently doing this in the plant on Shields Drive. Von Ouhl asked about decibel levels. Monks explained that they are under the 70 decible noise ordinance limit. Copp asked about toxins, and Benoit noted that only water would be to cool the autoclave, remains in the system. They will regenerate the water into it, because there will be some evaporation. Hours of operation are 8AM to 5PM, five days per week. They will be using the southernmost building that formerly housed the Nissan dealership. Barney moved and Morse seconded to go into deliberative session. 9. Other Business Alderman reported that he has heard complaints that sometimes presenters at both these meetings and the Select Board meetings aren't always using the microphones and easels appropriately. He also thought that a pointer would be effective. Ray reported that when watching the tapes he had the same problem. As there was no further business, Barney moved to adjourn to deliberative session Morse seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:13 PM. Respectfully submitted, Robyn Baker Minutes Secretary