HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning and Economic Development Commission Minutes - October 5, 2009_201402060751479819MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
JOINT
NANTUCKET PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
AND
NANTUCKET BOARD OF SELECTMEN
6:00 PM, MONDAY, OCT. 5, 2009
2 FAIRGROUNDS ROAD
10 NP&EDC Members: *Rick Atherton, Andrew Bennett, *Brian Chadwick,
Jack Gardner, Sylvia Howard, Nat Lowell, Barry Rector (arriv @ 7:05),
Don Visco, Jeff Willett, Linda Williams
4 BOS Members: Michael Kopko, Patty Roggeveen, *Rick Atherton,
*Brian Chadwick
NP&EDC Staff: Andrew Vorce, T. Michael Burns, Leslie Snell, Jeromette Hicks,
Susan B. Witte
State Rep. Tim Madden
Speakers / Consultants
John Webber, “Mass. Ocean Plan”
Stephen Barrett, “South of Tuckernuck”
Joe Farrell, “Resolve Marine Group”
Audience: Attached Sign-in Sheet
I. Call to Order Chairman Lowell called the NP&EDC to order @ 6:00PM.
Chairman Kopko called the BOS to order @ 6:00PM.
II. Establishment of Quorum
Chairman Lowell & Chairman Kopko declared quorums of
both NP&EDC & BOS were present.
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III. Approval of Agenda
The motion was made by Linda Williams and seconded that the
NP&EDC does hereby vote to approve the NP&EDC agenda
for Oct. 5, 2009.
The vote was unanimous.
IV. Approval of Minutes:
Approved: Meeting of Aug. 3, 2009
The motion was made by Linda Williams and seconded that the
NP&EDC does hereby vote to approve the minutes of Aug. 3rd,
Sept. 14th & Sept.28th, 2009, as submitted.
The vote was unanimous.
V. Public Comment - None
VI. Action / Discussion Items
A. Action / Discussion: Acceptance of Membership Re-Appointment
ConCom / Andrew Bennett
The motion was made by Linda Williams and seconded that the
NP&EDC does hereby vote to accept the membership re-
appointment from the ConCom of Andrew Bennett.
The vote was unanimous.
B. Public Hearing: Mass. Ocean Plan
John Weber, Ocean Services Manager
of the Mass. Office of Coastal Zone Management
A presentation was given by John Weber on the Mass. Ocean Plan.
The final Plan will include the NP&EDC.
Nov. 23, 2009 @ 5:00PM is the deadline for comments.
The NP&EDC hopes to have a joint cover letter with the BOS.
The web site is: www.mass.gov/eea/mop
The Plan will be up-dated on the web site.
Q&A
Q. Is the # of 10 turbines mandatory
A. No, but 11 or more is considered Commercial
Each RPA (NP&EDC) would get 10, which they can allot as they see fit
Q. How the mining sites would be designated?
A. Have to avoid resource areas, possibly move project, would look at certain
species, focus on critical issues, still do surveys and data studies and work
with State & ConCom.
Q. Trust funds: how funded & types of projects?
A. The funds are from each Ocean project, not just energy projects.
Q. Would the erosion issue in “Sconset be considered a project?
A. Probably not, mitigation funds are spent for impacts from specific projects
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Q. Is beach nourishment addressed
A. The plan does not speak to it. Public would comment through the RPA
and local ConCom
` Q. How many sq.’ would 10 turbines take up?
A. Excess of 30,000sq.’, using Cape Wind’s spacing.
Q. Who controls 0-1500’
A. That is State waters
Q. What about the long tail duck zones? Some feel they are too large an
exclusion area and some want no changes in the rectangle.
A. That issue will be discussed further
Q. Does the Plan look at land based sites?
A. No, it doesn’t speak to it.
Q. What advantages to Nantucket?
A. The RPA (NP&EDC) would decide who the developer would be and then
work with them and the community for benefits to Nantucket.
Q. What about the rectangle / test zone, could a wind farm go there?
A. Yes, 10 turbines or less.
Q. How is MVY creating their own exempt areas?
A. They may through their Enabling Legislation, under a “District of Critical
Planning Concern” (DCPC), where they can study development projects.
Q. If Cape Wind project does not happen, can the entire area go back into the
Plan?
A. No.
The State has a voice when there is an impact on State waters from Fed
Waters
The Plan will be reviewed at least 1x every 5 yrs, but can be more often.
There would be a safety net through the State & at the local level.
The BOS will have this on their agenda for their final vote.
The motion was made by Linda Williams and seconded that the
NP&EDC does hereby vote to have the Commissioners e-mail
comment to Director Vorce and have him draft a cover letter and
comment letter for the NP&EDC.
The vote was unanimous.
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C. Discussion: South of Tuckernuck with Consultant Stephen Barrett,
Harris Miller Miller & Hanson Inc.
It is the Muskeget Shoals Wind Farm
The Ocean Plan gives guidance for the size.
The presentation will be on the web site.
The business model would be to have the Town be the sponsor.
with State & Fed. Support
Government funding in the early stages
Then an RFP to private developers (after the license) to build & sell the
electricity to town.
Nantucket could fix the rate & there could be a 30-year life span of this
small size project
The transformers would be land-based
The BOS would handle land –based applications
and the NP&EDC for water-based applications
The next step will be help from the Mass. Ocean Plan as to policy &
funding and to answer ongoing questions.
There maybe an up date at the next NP&EDC meeting.
The consultant fees are covered by the NP&EDC Smart Growth Grant.
The sense of the meeting was positive to continue with this project.
D. Discussion: Consultant Joe Farrell, Resolve Marine Group
Mr. Farrell would work with Dave Fronzuto (Marine Dept.) & Director
Vorce (Planning).
NP&EDC has already voted to test.
There are 4 specific sites:
Madaket Rd w/ beaches
Dionis
Fisherman’s Beach
Navy Base
The project could be on Town owed land
or private land with the owners funding
or non-profits
The Town would help with the permitting process
The motion was made by Linda Williams and seconded that the
NP&EDC does hereby vote to support the experiment site testing
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concept by Joe Farrell of Resolve Marine Group and authorize the
staff to assist in the planning process and site selection from the four
prioritized sites and that the funding will be provided by the home
owners.
The vote was unanimous.
E. Discussion: In-Town Bike Path
The bike path through the Creeks was not recommended since it had
property & permitting issues.
The motion was made by Linda Williams and seconded that the
NP&EDC does hereby vote to support option 2-A through the railroad
bed.
The vote was unanimous.
F. Action / Discussion: FY 2011 Budget
The office has not filled the Land Use Planner position, will cut
Professional Services and Out-of-State Travel.
The need of an override was mentioned.
The motion was made by Barry Rector and seconded that the NP&EDC
does hereby vote to approve the NP&EDC 2011 Budget, with the three
proposed reductions, an overall budget request of not more than
$84,850 and authorize the Chairman to endorse a final submission
due by Nov. 2, 2009.
The vote was unanimous.
G. Action / Discussion: Re-Vote Open Space Plan
The motion was made by Barry Rector and seconded that the NP&EDC
does hereby vote to re-approve the Open Space Plan, as amended,
authorize any further minor / insubstantial changes by the Board of
Selectmen, allow alterations to the date, and authorize the Chairman
to sign a cover letter for final submission.
The vote was unanimous.
H. Action / Discussion: NP&EDC 2010 Meeting Schedule
The motion was made by Barry Rector and seconded that the NP&EDC
does hereby vote to approve the 2010 NP&EDC Meeting Schedule.
The vote was unanimous.
VII. Report Items*
A. Director's Report
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The CBT Consultants - Open House for the Wilkes Square Project
will be help at the American Legion Hall on Oct. 14, 2009
from 9-3:00PM.
B. Transportation Planner's Report
C. Housing Specialist’s Report
VIII. Other Business
IX. Adjournment
The motion was made by Linda Williams and seconded that the
NP&EDC does hereby vote to adjourn the meeting.
The vote was unanimous.
Chairman Lowell adjourned the meeting at 9:50 PM.
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