MINUTES - Joint Public Hearing with Planning Board - 11/12/2008 564 NOVEMBER 12, 2008
JOINT PUBLIC HEARING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING BOARD
A Joint Public Hearing of the City Council and Planning Board was held in the Council
Chamber on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 6.00 P.M., for the purpose of discussing a
proposed Zoning Ordinance amendment Section 5-3, Permit Uses, Wind Energy Facility. Notice of
this meeting was posted on November 7, 2008 at 9.56 A.M. and advertised in the Salem News by
the City Clerk on October 29, and November 5, 2008.
Councillors Veno and Pelletier were recorded as absent.
Councillor Lovely was recorded as arriving late at 6.18 P.M. and Councillor Furey was
recorded as arriving at 6.25 P.M.
Councillor O'Keefe left the meeting early for another meeting at 7.00 PM.
Council President Michael Sosnowski presided.
Council President Michael Sosnowski introduced Charles Puleo, Planning Board Chairman
and also the other members present of the planning Board: Nadine Hanscom, Timothy Kavanaugh,
Pamela Lombardini, John Moustakis, Timothy Ready and Christine Sullivan and their clerk Danielle
McNight. Also in attendance was Lynn Duncan City Planner.
Also in attendance was Tom Watkins of the Mayors Office, as representative of the
Renewable Energy Task Force and alternate member Adam Segal.
Council President Michael Sosnowski turned the proceedings over to Tom Watkins.
Tom Watkins stated that this Ordinance stems from the Mayor's Green Initiative for
Alternative Energy. We are looking at Wind Power for economic benefits for the City. This
Ordinance was created to streamline the process. They have been working with the Planning
Department especially Amy Lash who is no longer with the City, who took the lead to get the
wording for the Ordinance. This Ordinance was modeled after other City, Towns, and the States
Ordinances. This Ordinance covers height, noise and the areas allowed for controls for applicant.
The Planning Board would be the permitting agent for the City.
Councillor O'Keefe stated that he had to leave for another meeting at 7.00 PM but prepared
a memorandum regarding height in case of a fire or other incident and submitted a copy for the
record. He then recused himself and left for another meeting.
Councillor Lovely arrived at 6.18 PM.
Tom Watkins stated that the Commercial Height is 200 feet.
Councillor Prevey asked if the State have regulations on height.
Tom Watkins responded yes.
NOVEMBER 12, 2008 565
JOINT PUBLIC HEARING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING BOARD
Councillor Sosnowski asked if the top of the arc was calculated into the height.
Tom Watkins responded yes.
Councillor Pinto asked about page 2 of the Ordinance Commerciial Scale (SP) for R3 is this
a mistake?
Tom Watkins responded that he was not sure. He will check into this. The height is to the
top of the blade.
Councillor Furey arrived at 6.25 PM.
John Moustakis from the Planning Board asked do they have a location in mind?
Tom Watkins stated they started testing at 40R Highland Avenue in June, Fort Avenue at
the SESD site is also being tested and Salem Heights is being looked at.
John Moustakis stated it would help defray the cost on Page 7 #10.
Christine Sullivan, Planning Board Member, made comment that they are in Europe and
there is no noise.
Nadine Hanscome raised concern with noise because once they are up you are stuck with
it.
Tom Watkins stated that page 4 of the Ordinance, 6-j Noise, is adhering to the
Massachusetts Noise Regulations. Newer turbines are made better. Anything greater than 1
decibel is not allowed.
Councillor Sosnowski stated two different companies one is quiet and one not, how do you
deal with that?
Christine Sullivan stated along the shore in France there are many cottages and wind mills
were quiet.
Nadine Hancome stated that some people purchase property for the ocean view now if
there's a wind turbine they may not want to look at it. We need to be considerate of that.
Tom Watkins stated that abutters are notified and there is a public process as any
permitting.
Charles Puleo stated we have the ability as the Planning Board for discretion and look at it
case by case. That's why it's a Special Permit.
Christine Sullivan stated that people don't own the ocean.
566 NOVEMBER 12, 2008
JOINT PUBLIC HEARING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING BOARD
Councillor McCarthy stated there was a feasibility study done at SESD this summer, on
Page 2 of the Ordinance SESD is industrial would they need a Special Permit or would they be
exempt?
Tom Watkins stated in regards to State Property I would have to defer to the Planning
Department.
Councillor McCarthy asked what areas are we looking at, not to many properties meet the
criteria. Is this Ordinance limiting us?
Tom Watkins replied that in June 2006 there were site surveys done for viable City
properties. The properties are Winter Island, Forest River, Salem High School and possible park
land.
Councillor McCarthy stated that the Ordinance is well written but his question was where
and how much? Do other cities have ordinances?
Tom Watkins stated other cities that have an ordinance for Wind Energy are Beverly,
Gloucester, Hull and Fair Haven.
Councillor McCarthy stated that it would be interesting to see their feedback. If you have
opportunity to see the Wind Turbine in Hull, it's huge. The one at the High School wasn't
overbearing. How big is that scale?
Adam Segal of the Renewable Energy Task Force stated he wasn't sure how big the scale
was.
Tom Watkins stated the chimney at the transfer station is 240 feet and commercial height is
200 feet for a comparison on how big.
Tim Ready — Planning Board member, stated that he's seen the device and it's so efficient.
They are considering another one at Hull. The way we write the Ordinance could either invite or
hinder so we need to be prudent.
Councillor McCarthy asked if Mr. Segal could tell us how property lines would not make it
effective?
Tom Watkins stated metering legislation is at the State House right now, it's allowing for one
on Winter Island.
Tim Ready asked about page 3 of the ordinance Special Permit B Monopole Towers.
Tom Watkins responded he didn't know other than a roof top.
Tim Ready stated it sounds like it would be rather large for a residential setting.
NOVEMBER 12, 2008 567
JOINT PUBLIC HEARING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING BOARD
Councillor Sosnowski stated we have only addressed propellers, there are others. Are you
considering it in your legislation? He also stated that Carlton School has one on their roof top.
There was no one appearing in opposition.
On the motion of Councillor Pinto the hearing was closed.
On the motion of Councillor Sargent the matter was referred to the Planning Board for their
recommendation.
On the motion for Councillor McCarthy the hearing was adjourned at 7.00 P.M.
ATTEST: CHERYL A. LAPOINTE
CITY CLERK