I.                    CALL TO ORDER:

Chair Chris Palmer called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

II.                  PUBLIC COMMENT:

None

III.                NEW BUSINESS:

A.     Development Plan Review-Final-Copart:  Owner and Applicant: Copart of Connecticut, Inc.; property located at 10 Industrial Drive, Exeter, RI; Zoned LI and further designated as AP 33 Block 1 Lot 4; proposed expansion.

Prior to the start of the DPR, Scott Millar asked to defer to an alternate member as he was not on the Planning Board when this application was first heard and was not in attendance at the last meeting.  Chairman Palmer approved.

Attorney Christine DiBiase of Adler, Pollock & Sheehan was present representing Copart; also in attendance, Tim Behan of Commonwealth Engineers and Tom Smith from Copart. 

Ms. DiBiase stated that they received preliminary plan approval on 9/19/19 and is now here to receive final approval.  In the preliminary plan approval, the following (3) conditions had to be met in order to receive final approval.

1)      RI DEM permits – have received our insignificant alteration permit from DEM issued on 2/4/2020;

2)      All other Federal, State and Local permits as applicable - which only the DEM permit was needed;

3)      To provide a more detailed landscape plan to include a Buffer along Rt.3

Timothy Behan, of Commonwealth Engineers in Providence, RI discussed and reviewed the Copart property drawing and that they are proposing to develop the portion that used to be the old driving range.  Next reviewed that old preliminary plan previously approved to show a before and after, referring to condition #3 above to show a more detailed landscape plan.  They have constructed an earth berm and planted trees on top of this area including (16) Colorado Spruce that are 7-8’ high, (16) Pitch Pines that are 7-8’ high, and (27) Green Giant Western Arborvitae’s, also 7-8’ high.  The berm will be about 2-3’ above the existing grade but did note the earth there does transition as you move east to west and the road elevation varies.

Bill Haas asked about the width of the access gate shown.  Tim Behan replied that will be a minimum of 20 feet per the Fire Marshall and that it is for emergency use only.  This entrance will be regraded, and the grade will meet the fire code of less than 10%.

Michael Viverios questioned what will be visible over the fence.  Tim Behan stated looking at the plan, that there are many trees in that area already.  Once the other trees grow and start to fill in, and the pitch of the land goes down, so he doesn’t think you’ll be able to see (with the berm, trees, fencing and the elevation of the land).

Planner Sweet asked about the height of the existing vegetation.  Tim Behan provided Google Earth photos looking down the road and scrub brush (submitted for the record).  Base map plan to be added to the Final submitted plan set.

Mike DeFrancesco, Chris Palmer, Peter Ruggiero and Tim Behan had a further discussion regarding the plan and the American Engineering drawing.  Planner Sweet suggested adding to the end of the finding of fact, and the base survey dated 7/2/19 provided by American Engineering (sheet 1 of 1).

Motion made by William Haas to approve the Copart Final DPR based on the memo dated 2/20/2020 from Planner Sweet.  Seconded by Donna Pari.  Voted all in favor.  Motion passed.

B.      Discussion and possible action on request to Town Council for moratorium on battery storage applications to provide time for an ordinance to be drafted.

Planner Sweet stated that there have been a lot of discussions on battery storage and wanted to share information to hopefully get ahead of this.  She recently met with a battery storage expert along with the South Kingstown planner who has an application for a battery storage facility.  Planner Sweet shared that there are two ways to do this that are most prevalent right now: lithium ion batteries or chemical batteries that are tied into a computerized system which is also tied into the grid and explained how this would work to provide energy.  She also informed the board that the Pascoag Utility District is in the process of putting together two shipping container units that are sufficient for the entire utility district to reduce their peak energy consumption so they can push energy out of these battery units because they get very close to maximum capacity at certain times of the year.

Mike DeFrancesco asked what the Town Council needs to vote on a moratorium.

Planner Sweet stated that the Town of Exeter does not currently have a regulation on this and that we would like to time to write a regulation.  She wants to avoid running into issues (like we experienced with the Medical Marijuana).

Mike DeFrancesco agrees and thinks this is prudent, but also shared his concerns about public safety and that we need to get the Fire Department involved.

Planner Sweet stated that, according to the battery storage expert, the fire risk is low with the lithium ion batteries.  Further discussion took place and it was noted that there may be a State code in the pipeline.

A motion was made by Mike DeFrancesco to request that the Town Council to enact a moratorium for battery storage to enable us to have time to research and draft an ordinance.  Scott Millar will second that motion for a discussion.

Further discussion ensued with the Board and Planner.  Scott Millar voiced his concerns with the scale regarding residential vs. small commercial vs. utility scale standalone units.

Mike DeFrancesco amended his motion to add 180 days for stand alone units exempting residential or small business.  Seconded by Scott Millar.  Voted all in favor.  Motion passed.

               Planner Sweet will get a link to send to the Board regarding battery storage from the “expert.”

ADMINISTRATIVE:

1. Zoning Board Applications:      N/A
2. Approval of Minutes:    None
3. Approval of Invoices:

1.       Solicitor Ruggiero – Invoice in the amount of $720.00

Motion by Mike DeFrancesco to approve invoice as submitted; seconded by Bill Haas.  Voted all in favor. Motion passed.

4. Draft Agenda:               Add to March 10, 2020 Workshop Agenda ADU Ordinance discussion.
5. Correspondence:  Reviewed the Site Readiness Grant Award letter.
6. Adjournment: Motion by Bill Haas to adjourn, seconded by Mike DeFrancesco. Voted all in favor.  Motion passed. Chairman Palmer adjourned the meeting at 7:25p.m.

Respectfully submitted,  

Lorrie Field and M. Dixie Foisy

Planning Board Clerk