24 Fort Avenue David McIntire Public Comment City of Salem June 9, 2025
Zoning Board of Appeals
Greetings:
I would like to address my concerns with the application of New England Power Company for a
side yard setback variance for the proposed project at 24 Fort Ave which is scheduled to be heard
at the June 18, 2025 meeting.
The submitted Drawing C2.00 shows proposed electrical equipment to be installed inside the side
yard setback on the Fort Ave side of the project. There is no height specified for the proposed
electrical equipment. Without a specified height it is impossible to assess the visual impact of
the proposed electrical equipment when view from Fort Ave. The switchyard can be seen from
my property due to openings in the existing landscape buffer; see photos after text. I feel the
application is insufficient without stating a height for the proposed equipment.
Another problem with the application is Drawing C2.00 fails to show the Salem Wind Terminal
parking lot as shown on Drawing C105 of plans referenced in the December 26, 2023 Planning
Board Decision on the application of Crowley Wind Services.
OVERSEEDEDIREFURBISNED
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Above is a portion of Drawing C105 showing several parking spaces and 2 travel lanes inside the
switchyard. The parking lot is also shown extending into the 24 Fort Ave switchyard on Drawings
C105A, C305, C305A, C405, C405A, C505, E100, E101; all of these drawings are referenced in the
December 26, 2023 Planning Board Decision.
The parking lot shown on the approved Salem Wind Terminal plans was the result of much review
and expense as the City paid Howard Stein Hudson for a peer review and MDM Transportation
Consultants reviewed the comments of Howard Stein Hudson.
The submitted Drawing C2.00 eliminates 13 parking spaces and 2 lanes of travel; this is a change
to the Salem Wind Terminal site plan.
Page 8 of the Dec. 26, 2023 Planning Board Decision states:
2. Amendments
a. Any proposed future changes to the site plan shall be submitted to the City Planner
for their review, prior to any changes in the field. The submission shall include a
plan sheet with all changes from the plans approved by the Planning Board bubbled,
noted, and stamped by a licensed professional engineer or architect. This
submission shall also include a brief narrative explaining the proposed changes. If
deemed necessary by the City Planner, these amendments shall be brought to the
Planning Board.
b. Any waiver of conditions contained within shall require the approval of the
Planning Board.
Salem Wind Terminal negotiated with National Grid to change their new substation design at 24
Fort Ave to support the needs of Salem Wind Terminal; the 24 Fort Ave Project is the result of this
negotiation as stated in the minutes of the Community Benefits Agreement Working Group
Meeting#4. The proposed 24 Fort Ave Project is a change to the Salem Wind Terminal site plan
which, I feel, should have been a subject discussed in the negotiations between Salem Wind
Terminal and National Grid. Following this text, I have provided a copy of the relevant page from
the minutes of the Community Benefits Agreement Working Group Meeting#4.
The proposed 24 Fort Ave Project eliminates 13 parking spaces and 2 lanes of travel and is a
change to the Salem Wind Terminal site plan. I believe either Salem Wind Terminal or
Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center is required to have this site plan change approved
by the City Planner and possibly, the Planning Board, before the Zoning Board of Appeals can
consider the proposed 24 Fort Ave Project.
I hope the Board will take my concerns and opinions under consideration.
Thank you.
Regards,
David McIntire
98 Newton Street
Southborough, MA 01772
Owner of 35 Fort Ave, Salem
A CROWLEYe
Salem Wind Terminal/City of Salem
3.27.2025
Community Benefits Agreement Working Group Meeting#4
CBA Updates 12.19.2024—3.27.2025:
1. Commitment I(A) Economic Development
a. The Salem Wind Terminal is committed to utilizing the local supply chain in Salem
and Essex County, as feasible,to develop and operate the Salem Offshore Wind
Terminal. As such,the Salem Wind Terminal has engaged with the following
businesses:
i. Longboards
ii. Boston Liner Service
iii. Northeast Massachusetts Climatetech Consortium
1. Potential for additional Services for Sea Installer Port Call in May
2. Commitment I(B)(E)Seaport Electrification
a. Negotiations with National Grid to deliver 4MW of electrical capacity. There have
been significant efforts by both National Grid and Salem Wind Terminal. These
efforts include:
i. Creating a non-traditional solution for providing reliable power to Salem
Wind Terminal. This solution will bring 4MW of capacity to the site with the
opportunity to increase capacity when said capacity is available.
ii. National Grid is starting a construction project at the substation at 24 Fort
Ave. Their construction timeline will mirror the construction timeline for the
Salem Wind Terminal. We have created an agreement with National Grid to
change their new substation design at 24 Fort Ave to support the needs of
Salem Wind Terminal.
iii. We have agreed to support the new substation project by allowing them a
storage location on Salem Wind Terminal property and supporting them with
access to our new sewer and water systems.
3. Commitment (G) Outreach
67 Derby St.
Salem, MA 01970
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