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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. 1 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 2 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. 3 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 4 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 5 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. 6