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Home My WebLink AboutPlanning and Economic Development Commission Minutes - August 2, 2010_201402060752541542MINUTES REGULAR MEETING NANTUCKET PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION 7:00 PM, MONDAY, AUGUST 2, 2010 2 FAIRGROUNDS ROAD 11 Members Present: Rick Atherton, Andrew Bennett, Brian Chadwick (left 9:05PM), Jack Gardner, Sylvia Howard, Bert Johnson, Nat Lowell, John McLaughlin, Barry Rector, Don Visco, Linda Williams Absent Member: Jeff Willett Staff Present: Andrew Vorce, T.Michael Burns, Leslie Snell, Jeromette Hicks, Susan B. Witte Audience: Peter Brace (Independent), Rachel Hobart (ReMain), Whitey Willauer, Gregg Tivnan, Michelle Whalen (Sustainable Nantucket) Josh Balling (I&M) I. Call to Order Chairman Lowell called the meeting to order at 7:05PM. II. Establishment of Quorum The Chairman declared a quorum was present. III. Approval of Agenda The motion was made by Linda Williams and seconded that NP&EDC does hereby vote to approve the agenda, as submitted. The vote was unanimous. IV. Approval of Minutes: Meeting of June 7, 2010 Meeting of July 19, 2010 The motion was made by Linda Williams and seconded that the NP&EDC does hereby vote to approve the minutes of June 7, 2010, as amended and July 19, 2010, as submitted. The vote was unanimous. V. Public Comment - None VI. Action / Discussion Items A. Action / Discussion: Climate Action Plan A power point presentation was given by Michelle Whalen of Sustainable Nantucket on the Climate Action Plan for Nantucket Island for the BOS. There will be a presentation to the BOS on the 18th and a forum at the Atheneum on the 19th. 1 The municipality is only 2%, so it would only be a model, no real effect The discussion included: The BOS adopted the draft plan on June 2, 2010. The Planning staff was asked by the Town Manager to review the first draft on July 8, 2010. All recommendations from the NP&EDC are advisory to the BOS. Members’ comments & questions included: Better name “Energy Plan”, to save consumers money Not “Climate Plan” From case study / the fact that $400,000.00 was “saved”, the question was exactly what does that mean, for future use or cut costs from previous year? From case study / what sizes are the study areas compared to Nantucket? There is a cost to the Town to these menu ideas, which the Town does not have Cost also to measure levels Is the plan voluntary? Answer yes – HOWEVER on page 16 it states “Penalties for ignoring this policy (T.7. Anti-Idling Policy (M)) can range from $100 to $25,000.” / Need incentives Not fines & penalties Even small cities plans will not work for Nantucket Biodiesel fuels won’t work here / need storage, vendors, large quantities & large users To reduce emissions downtown, we need a parking garage Remove Cape Wind specific reference / make it general The Plan was not to cost the Town anything, but is now costing the Town money, may lose support People getting “greener” just by buying a new car, refrig., washer, dryer etc Remember plants need carbon dioxide, it’s not bad HDC could approve better windows for winterizing, not hurricane ones Review plan and keep only reasonable & reachable goals for Nantucket on the menu The motion was made by Barry Rector and seconded that NP&EDC does hereby vote to authorize the chairman to sign a letter to the BOS expressing concerns of the Climate Plan as written and delete the costs & penalties section, add enforcement specifics in the final plan, extend the public comment period by 90 days, create a working group to review & revise the plan with achievable goals & menu items and E-mail the letter to the Commissioners prior to being sent to the BOS. The vote was (10) ten in favor and (1) one Rick Atherton abstained. B. Action / Discussion: Recommendation to BOS on Downtown Parking Strategies The discussion included: The BOS need to have a full discussion on the shuttle bus & parking at 2 Fairgrounds. Staff needs clear direction on the 3 recommendations Selling medallions to year-round residents Some discussions of pros & cons on the parking garage The Grand Union parking area was mentioned & the fact that, that is private & can go away at any time and cannot be relied upon 2 A parking garage could be built right now by a developer without any community input Site control of the electric company property is not in the Town’s hands The motion was made by Barry Rector and seconded that NP&EDC does hereby vote to authorize the chairman to sign a letter to the BOS concerning the Downtown Parking Strategies to include paid parking program in the Downtown, implement a direct shuttle from 2 Fairgrounds or Water Company and continue to investigate / promote the development of a parking garage on parcels “B” and /or “C” of the Wilkes Square site and to E-mail the letter to the Commissioners prior to being sent to the BOS. The vote was (9) nine in favor, (1) one Andrew Bennett opposed, (1) one Rick Atherton abstained. Brian Chadwick left @ 9:05PM C. Action / Discussion: LORAN Site FYI only / No action needed The discussion included: The signal is still on and used by Canadian boats The Fed. Gov. trumps the State Gov. in the land takings starting back in the 1940’s The gov. will retain the housing The wastewater treatment plant site and the barracks will need to be cut out of the surplus land D. Action / Discussion: 2010 Annual Report The NP&EDC Annual Report is included in the Town’s Annual Report The motion was made by Linda Williams and seconded that NP&EDC does hereby vote to approve the Annual Report, as submitted. The vote was unanimous. E. Action / Discussion: Bylaw Committee Report / Alternative Members Continued to Oct. 4, 2010 meeting. F. Action / Discussion: FY 2011– 2014 TIP The TIP was reviewed by the BOS and recommended that the NP&EDC approve it. The motion was made by Linda Williams and seconded that NP&EDC does hereby vote to close the 30-day public review period on Aug. 6, 2010. The vote was unanimous. The motion was made by Linda Williams and seconded that NP&EDC does hereby vote to approve the draft FFY 2011-2014 TIP effective 4:00PM August 6, 2010 provided no public objection is received and authorize the Chairman to sign the documents endorsement page. The vote was unanimous. 3 G. Action / Discussion: FFY 2011 UPWP The air quality numbers came out which required a longer review period. The motion was made by Linda Williams and seconded that NP&EDC does hereby vote to close the 30-day public review period, The vote was unanimous. The motion was made by Linda Williams and seconded that NP&EDC does hereby vote to approve the draft FFY 2011 UPWP and authorize the Chairman to sign the documents endorsement page The vote was unanimous. H. Action / Discussion: Authorization to pay Town Counsel ($2,055.50) from DLTA Funds for Muskeget Conservation Restriction The cost of the legal work exceeded their estimate, due to the complicated negotiations, The motion was made by Linda Williams and seconded that NP&EDC does hereby vote to authorize payment to Town Counsel for $2055.50 for legal work on the Muskeget Conservation Restriction from the NP&EDC DLTA funds. The vote was unanimous. I. Action / Discussion: Letter from BOS Concerning Solar Power Arrays This letter of request came from Town Manager Gibson. The solar panels will be owned by the developer and use the Town land It will provide electricity for wastewater treatment plant, water co. and airport As things progress, the airport & water co. will provide funding The rate will be locked in for a certain period with possibility of extension When & if new technologies come along the developer will up-grade They will be responsible for dismantling as well The motion was made by Barry Rector and seconded that NP&EDC does hereby vote to authorize payment of $12,000.00 from the NP&EDC’s DLTA funds to the Town for consultant work on all aspects of the PV Solar Farm Projects on Nantucket at the wastewater plant, water company and airport. The vote was (8) eight in favor, (1) one John McLaughlin opposed, (1) one Linda Williams abstained . J. Action / Discussion: Thank You Letter to Sen. O’Leary & Rep. Tim Madden Re: the Inclusion of the NP&EDC on the Ocean Advisory Committee, to be Signed by Chair The motion was made by Linda Williams and seconded that NP&EDC does hereby vote to authorize the Chairman to sign a thank you letter to Sen. O’Leary and Rep. Madden for their securing a seat for the NP&EDC on the Ocean Advisory Committee. The vote was unanimous. 4 VII. Report Items* A. Director's Report B. Transportation Planner's Report There maybe a special meeting needed later this month (Aug.16th?) concerning the RFQ for the Bartlett Road and Surfside Road intersection study. C. Housing Specialist’s Report The 2010 CDBG funding was denied, however a request will be made again for 2011. There are 85 households, mostly seniors, on the waiting list for these funds for repairs including leaking roofs, broken windows, septic systems, etc. VIII. Other Business - None IX. Adjournment The motion was made by Barry Rector and seconded that NP&EDC does hereby vote to adjourn the meeting. The vote was unanimous. The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 9:35PM. Documents Included: Agenda Minutes June 7, 2010 Minutes July 19, 2010 Climate Action Plan for Nantucket Island / for Town of Nantucket BOS LORAN Station Letter June 17, 2010 Coast Guard Letter July 2, 2010 Attorney Cohen Letter to U.S. Coast Guard June 17, 2010 NP&EDC 2010 Annual Report Bylaw Committee latter to postpone report July 21, 2010 Town Counsel Invoice #3 Muskeget June 30, 2010 Solar Power Arrays Letter Request July 23, 2010 E-mail from Rep. Madden July 27, 2010 Directors Report July 27, 2010 Transportation Planner’s Report Aug.2, 2010 FFY 2011-2014 TIP Report FFY 2011 UPWP Report Housing Planner’s Report Aug.2, 2010 Wind Siting Reform Act Conference Summary July 30, 2010 5