A. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. by Chair P. Damicis.

B. Approval of minutes

1)      Minutes of June 27, 2017

A motion was made by M. Travisono, seconded by N. Hess, to approve the minutes of June 27^th, 2017 as amended. All ayes.

R. Millar abstained.

C. New Business

1)      Development Plan Review of applicant Southern Sky Renewable Energy RI, LLC and owner Shannock Hill Farms, LLC (c/o Amy Tavares, Manager) to construct a 250kW DC (216kW AC) ground-mounted solar energy system on a commercial farm, encompassing approximately 1.0 acre for the array and 1.4 acres for the project limits, and related access driveway and gate, construction erosion control measures, and electric service extension and equipment; located on North Road as accessory to the existing agricultural operation on 77.8 acres, being Plat 10E Lot 1 in a Shannock Village SC district.

C. Richard recused herself from this application.

David Russo, registered professional engineer, presented the aforementioned application.  It will be a 205kW DC solar farm. There is an access road off of Shannock Village Road.  The total acreage of the site is about 78 acres.  The acre that will consist of the array is currently hayed, and the rest used as a cow pasture.  A biologist was hired to inspect the nearby wetlands, but the proposed array is well away from the wetland buffer.  A 6 foot fence, including a lock box on an access gate, will be installed around the array. Some trees will be removed by the area of panels for construction; some of the larger trees will be cut outside of the fence line, and the low-lying vegetation will remain. A septic has not been proposed. There will be periodic maintenance of the property.  D. Russo described the layout of the site, including an explanation of the soils and topography.

M. Travisono asked about a stormwater plan.

D. Russo stated there is not a stormwater plan due to the fact that a state permit is not necessary because the project does not meet the threshold of a one-acre disturbance.

A. Baranyk asked about the existing driveway.  D. Russo explained that the existing driveway will remain as the access road.

P. Damicis was concerned about construction equipment and vehicles taking place on to the existing road, including erosion complications.  He wants to be sure this is mitigated.

D. Russo mentioned that there will be an entrance pad that consists of stone, which will collect sediment from the larger trucks traveling in and out of the site.  It is a small site, and the earthwork required is minimal.

N. Hess questioned if the Public Works Director had been consulted in regards to the use of this driveway.  J. Berry answered that a curb cut permit is a condition to the approval since the use of the driveway will be changed.

P. Damicis questioned whether the existing utilities will be connected overhead, underground, or both.

Scott Milnes, President of Econox Renewables Inc., explained National Grid’s requirements in regards to the installation of meters and poles and the way it is connected overhead to the customer’s metered pole and underground to the transformers.

N. Hess discussed the memo from the Richmond Conservation Commission (RCC).  The RCC had several concerns including the Natural Heritage Area and the impact on the associated species of concern (clasping milkweed).

D. Russo described the Natural Heritage Area and stated that a biologist had been on the property to determine the wetlands’ location; the applicant is open to the biologist returning to inspect for clasping milkweed if it is put as a condition of approval.

James Turek, member of the RCC, explained the importance of the species and the potential impact of the proposal on site.  He shared various concerns he had including fencing around the solar panels, decrease in tree cover, and removal of soil.

D. Russo reiterated having a biologist take a trip to the site to re-inspect and have those concerns addressed. 

A motion was made by N. Hess, seconded by M. Travisono, to accept the Development Plan Review decision for the North Road Solar project presented by Town Planner J. Berry with the conditions and stipulations discussed. All ayes.

2)      Development Plan Review of applicant Southern Sky Renewable Energy RI, LLC and owner Shannock Hill Farms, LLC (c/o Amy Tavares, Manager) to construct a 250kW DC (216kW AC) ground-mounted solar energy system on a commercial farm, encompassing approximately 0.9 acres for the array and 1.9 acres for the project limits, and related permeable access drive, gate, construction erosion control measures, and electric service extension and equipment; located on West Shannock Road as accessory to the existing agricultural operation on 60 acres, being Plat 9D Lot 30 in a Residential R-2 district.

C. Richard recused herself from this application.

D. Russo presented the second solar application located on West Shannock Road. The total parcel consists of 60 acres and the array will take up 0.9 acres.  The site also has 10 acres that are hayed.  The application consists of 250kW DC ground mounted solar system like the previous submission for North Road.  The panels will be approximately 650 feet away from West Shannock Road and over 350 feet from the abutting home.  He described the landscape.  Since the site is within the same National Heritage area, the applicant is similarly open to have the biologist re-visit the area for inspection of the clasping milkweed concern.

M. Travisono asked how far the site is from the Kenyon substation.

S. Milnes stated he is unsure, but a connection service agreement is confirmed with National Grid.

P. Damicis asked if the overhead connections are the same as the North Road application.

N. Hess stated she had the same comments and concerns of tie-ins of the driveway on to the Town’s existing right-of-way, and wished to have any stipulations resolved with the Public Works Director.  She shared the concerns of the potential impact on the clasping milkweed species, other wildlife, and the proposed fencing as the RCC.

A. Baranyk confirmed that it was going to be a newly constructed permeable driveway and questioned the maintenance of the facility.

S. Milnes stated that maintenance of the facility will most likely be twice a year which would include a low grass cut.  The operation is via a remote monitored system if any situation should arise.

A motion was made by M. Travisono, seconded by R. Millar, to approve the Development Plan Review draft decision for West Shannock Road, Plat 9D, Lot 30 with the same stipulations discussed for the previous North Road application including stipulations regarding the milkweed replanting as necessary by the botanist.  All ayes.

3)      Development Plan Review of applicant and owner Chariho Regional School District to replace the existing temporary RYSE classroom structure on the Chariho Regional Middle/High School campus with a new 13,415 square foot “Alternative Learning Academy”, encompassing a little over 2 acres’ limits of disturbance, and related amended parking and traffic layout, re-routing of new utilities and effluent, relocation of septic tank and pump station, new water line tie-in, construction phasing and erosion control measures, and subsurface infiltration drainage structure; located at 453 Switch Road on 57 acres, being Plat 10B Lot 2 in a Residential R-3 district.

C. Richard returned to The Board to participate.

P. Damicis stated that the Chariho packets were received a short time before the meeting and there was not time for a review, and requested that the applicant present what they have.  He understands that this is an important project to the community.

Jon Anderson, Solicitor for Chariho Regional School, thanked the Town Planner and Town Solicitor for their cooperation in getting the proposal together in a quick manner to be presented tonight. He gave an overview of the application, a summary of the technical aspects of the site, and a conclusion explaining the school’s deadlines.

Peter Hess, Project Manager, RGB Architects, explained that the purpose of the Alternative Learning Academy is to create a permanent structure to replace the “RYSE” classroom and to continue to provide a long term facility for supportive learning.  The development of the design has included close participation with the Chariho Building Committee, School Administration, and RI Department of Education (RIDE) School Building Authority.  He described some of the attributes of the proposed structure, which consists of flexible environments and break-out spaces to support individualized curriculum, along with office spaces to support case management and clinical services.  He presented the construction plans and the different stages that will occur. Each stage has its own submission requirements which results in State level approval.  He described in detail the characteristics of the interior and exterior structural elements to the building, and its location in comparison to the middle school and high school.

Kevin DeMers, registered professional engineer, DiPrete Engineering, described the project site as being at the north end of campus. He noted that the vehicle circulation would be shifted north and that parking spaces will increase. The utilities will be re-routed and brought from the existing middle school building and tied in to the proposed new building. He described the landscaping and pedestrian walkways, and stated that grading would be minimal.  There are remaining pending State approvals from RIDEM and the State Dept. of Health, and the applicant would be okay with approval being conditioned on obtaining those permits before applying for a building permit.

M. Travisono questioned the cafeteria, and where food would be served and eaten.

P. Hess explained that the gymnasium is a multi-purpose space that would be utilized as the cafeteria.   The food service is delivered from the middle school on a rolling cart.  There is a service area in the new proposed building that will serve as a connection point and a preparation room. It is similar in function to what the RYSE building already has.

N. Hess questioned the food preparation area, and requested a sign-off certification/letter from the Dept. of Health.  She also wanted to see any energy modeling that had been done for solar panels on the roof.

The Board is in consensus that more time is needed to go through the documents thoroughly.

P. Hess explained that the current RYSE trailers are leased, and when the new proposed building is fully constructed and occupied the trailers will be removed.

Bill Day, member of the Chariho Building Committee, would like to hear a go-ahead on this project. In his opinion, it is a significant upgrade from what is presently there. The trailers are deplorable and students should have an equal facility to the other school buildings.

Jackie Kenyon, resident, commended both the applicant and the Planning Board. She stated that the presentation was excellent and the Planning Board handled themselves well.

J. Anderson addressed the timing concerns.  He wants the Planning Board to be comfortable and some deadlines have to be worked with.  Since school begins on August 28^th, the project area needs to be blocked off for construction before the students arrive for the first day of school.  Substantial completion of the project has to occur by June 2018 in order to qualify for RIDE reimbursement.  The project is out to bid, with a return date of July 20^th, 2017.  The applicant is hopeful to have a determination for the best bidder, and to make a recommendation to the Building Committee by the first week of August to award the bid.  Chariho is eager to receive Planning Board approval as soon as possible.

After asking the Board their opinions, P. Damicis shared that the members do not have grave concerns that would stop the project. During his cursory review, he felt that the proposal was well thought out and well designed. Due to the short time since the information was received, it is important for the Board to perform due diligence to review all aspect of the project like any other application that is brought before them.  He anticipated an approval at the next Planning Board meeting which would fit the applicant’s schedule. 

A motion was made by A. Baranyk, seconded by C. Richard, to continue the application to August 1, 2017. All ayes.

J. Berry wanted to emphasize some points of conditional approval.  Two waivers were requested, one being a Class 1 boundary survey and the second being a grading plan with before-and-after roadway and parking lot profiles.  Firstly, the use pre-dates the current checklist requirements, and the zoning ordinance for this particular zone only gives dimensional regulation requirements and setbacks for single and two family dwellings.  Secondly, the proposed grading is so minimal that there will be no grade change.  There were also two non-conforming comments with respect to the aquifer overlay and septic discharge as well as the required amount of parking spaces. 

G. Adjournment

A motion was made by A. Baranyk, seconded by M. Travisono, to adjourn.  All ayes.

Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted:

Samantha Patton

Date: August 1, 2017

Approved as: Amended