GRAY PLANNING BOARD AGENDA
APRIL 22, 2010 – 7:00 P.M.
UPSTAIRS – STIMSON HALL
Don Hutchings, John Redlon, Rod Boyington, Jason Wilson
George Thebarge
Excused: Dan Cobb
Absent: Jack Goosetrey
Others present and speaking: Shawn Romanoski, Craig Hitchings, Phil Boness, Steve Moran
- Minutes of February 25, 2010
Don Hutchings moved; John Redlon seconded.
Motion to accept the minutes as written.
4 Yes
George Thebarge commented on 2 minor site plan reviews, the TD Bank parking spaces and a Gray Water District small project. These do not require full Planning Board review but fall under the minor site plan process. He stated that they need a Planning Board member for review.
John Redlon and Don Hutchings volunteered to assist for the minor site plan reviews.
- Public Hearing and New Business
- Request for site plan approval of a 275 ft. self-supporting lattice tower with associated structures & equipment at 1 Game Farm Rd, Gray, Maine. Applicant is State of Maine, agent is Jacobs Engineering of Boston, MA. Map 16, Lot 2. RRA Zone.
Craig Hitchings and Shawn Romanoski gave an overview of the project. It will provide public safety radio communication for the public safety agencies. This will also put all state agencies on one network and assist in more effectively working with local public safety.
They gave an overview of the scope of the project including that it is a $55 million project with construction in 2010-2011 with implementation of the tower by late 2012.
The tower will be a self supporting lattice type, 275 feet high with a 12’ x 36’ pre-fabricated building next to it. It will also be fenced for safety and security. It will also include remote monitoring for problems and maintenance issues.
Phil Boness gave an overview of the project application. The application requires listing other towers within a 5 mile radius of proposed one. There are towers on Mountain View Road and Libby Hill.
He included a structural analysis. He stated that various antennae on the current tower are overstressed. The proposed tower would not service commercial cellular service, only public safety needs.
One of the requirements is a 125ft fall zone. The proposed fall zone is 217ft from the closest property line and about 350 ft away from the closest structure.
The location was selected for the least amount of grading. The proposed tower is set furthest away as possible within the fall zone.
They have met with the CEO to help identify possible locations. (A scenic assessment was provided). 3 areas were identified based on Gray’s comprehensive plan. Tower is not visible from the Dry Mills Schoolhouse. Crystal Lake is a significant resource and Charlonate Dr. The tower cannot be seen from these locations.
What is being proposed is a self supporting tower. There are current communication tower standards, therefore the proposed meets the current standards “Rev G. It will be classified as a class 3 structure due to extreme acts of nature.
FAA markings: over 200 feet likely require markings. FAA makes allowances-If it is within 150 feet of an existing structure of the same height, it may not be needed. There are no issues with marking the tower. They have filed with the FAA and they will make that determination. Phil commented on the possible marking colors accepted by the FAA.
Jason Wilson asked about life flights in terms of lighting the tower.
John Redlon asked about the life span of the current tower.
Shawn commented that it would be a minimum of 40 years, possibly longer. It is based on structural engineering analysis. The current one was installed in 1981. Though it can’t accommodate the load, it still has considerable life expectancy.
Public Hearing Closed at 7:26pm.
John Redlon asked what decision needs to be made tonight.
Rod asked if they received correspondence on the ordinance amendment to accommodate this.
John Redlon would prefer it be located someplace else. He asked if the tower will be accessible by the Town. Shawn stated that they work with all the law enforcement in the State and it is available to public safety entities with an application and lease agreement.
Rod asked if old/no longer used sections are removed. Shawn said that this is part of good maintenance.
Don asked about class 3 standards: how much wind speed for example. Phil said 120 miles per hour maximum speed which is why Rev G standards are higher. Don asked about snow/ice build up. Phil stated that ice loads are about 1 inch.
George stated that other department heads have reviewed this. The Town relies on this tower and for state police service. He indicated that the Gray Water District stated that there is water service in that area.
He commented on proposed amendments to ordinance for state property-meet all the planning board standards and only for public safety (not commercial use).
Don stated that if the Council proposes the change does it require that the applicant return to the Planning Board. George stated yes.
There was a discussion on an easement for the possible fall zone. George stated that the Planning board can review the design and say that an easement may not be required.
Phil stated that a tower would not likely fall in its entirety but only a part of it.
Rod stated that they are located 217 ft from adjacent property line, but the tower is 275 ft. Rod stated that even in the worse case scenario, it would land on the adjacent property about 60 feet.
George stated that a worst case scenario has happened in Portland and is a valid question to ask.
Phil suggested that a condition of approval be that wording from the manufacturer to state that it would fall at 50% of its height (over structured to fold in itself in the potential fall) could be included.
Rod asked about the old one falling into the new one as a possible scenario. He would like to be certain that it is addressed. He asked if anyone on the Board would like a site walk. No one believed it was necessary.
There was a discussion on site view from Game Farm Road. Phil said that the pre-fabricated building would not be seen. George also commented on the buffering/ fencing/screening requirements and asked that the applicant provide documentation/visuals for this from Shaker Rd and Game Farm Rd. Phil stated that the minimum amount of trees will be taken, but others would be planted if necessary.
Rod stated that this item will be tabled until the second reading of the proposed ordinance amendment. The easement from the abutting property on the fall zone should be considered to protect everyone.
Don Hutchings moved; Jason Wilson seconded
Move to table until the Council takes action on the ordinance amendment.
4 Yes
Steve Moran, the abutting property owner stated that he is willing to work with the applicant to make this tower possible.
- Public Hearing on Amendments to Chapter 400, Part 5 for Driveway Permits.
No public comment.
Rod stated that these amendments are long overdue.
George stated that the intent of the street ordinance committee is to provide less requirements but provide clarity and to simplify. In the past, it required that each driveway have an engineering review, which in reality wasn’t happening and is expensive an unnecessary.
He gave an overview of the proposed changes related to subdivision.
- Public Hearing on Amendments to Chapter 401, Sections 401.7 and 401.13.17 of the Town of Gray’s Subdivision Ordinance, for changes to the standards for driveways in subdivisions.
No public comment.
- Tabled Matters and Old Business
- Planning Board Rules
George commented on the requested changes by the Board.
The draft has been changed to have the second meeting, if one is needed, to fall on the fourth Thursday.
The proposed Rules set a 21-day submission deadline for information on new applications and a 14-day deadline for new information on tabled items so that peer reviewers can review them and submit comments to the Board in advance of your meetings.~ Those peer review comments will be due at least 72 hours before the meeting.~ These requirements will be placed on the application that the applicants sign.
This information should also be printed on the application per the suggestion of the Planning Board.
Don suggested that the Board review these changes and vote on this at the next meeting as there are a couple of Board members not present.
John Redlon moved; Don Hutchings seconded.
Motion to adjourn
4 Yes
The meeting ended at 8pm.
| 
