HINESBURG DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD
MINUTES OF JANUARY 18, 2005
Approved 2/01/05
Present: Tom McGlenn, George Munson, Clint Emmons, Howdy Russell and Jessica (?) Alternate).
Staff member: Peter Erb
Members absent: Robert Gauthier, Greg Waples and Ted Bloomhardt
Members of the Public: Karla Munson, Jason Monnique, Chris Johnson, Joseph Papa, Patty Whitney and Wendy Outway.
1) MINUTES - December 21, 2004
Tom McGlenn motion to approve
Howdy seconds the motion
Passed
2) MINUTES - January 4, 2005
Postponed approval until 2/1 for corrections.
3) HANNAH ROBERT - Conditional Use for Home Occupation
(Peter Erb took the minutes)
Hannah Robert was next on the agenda, to discuss changes that were proposed during the January 4th meeting. It was decided to permit the use of an area not to exceed 600 square feet in the structure where the art classes would be located. The Board also decided that while signage on the Swamp Road might be appropriate for the total situation, the presence of the art classes would not create a significant impact on the overall amount of traffic on the road. It was suggested that if a general problem existed the neighborhood take it up with the Selectboard. It was moved by Howdy Russell and seconded by George Munson to approve the amended draft and this motion was passed unanimously.
4) George & Karla MUNSON - Preliminary Plat approval
Tom McGlenn moves to continue on 2/1 due to lack of Board members present.
Howdy Russell seconds this motion.
George Munson abstains.
Approved.
5) NEXTEL WIP LEASE CORP. - Proposed communications tower off Charlotte (Label- sketch plan phase) Road.
Joe Papa explained why Nextel Corporation is looking into this location in Hinesburg.
a) A wireless service looking for more availability for their customers.
b) There is more and more demand for cell service in this area.
c) Hinesburg is a good location for their need of a communications tower.
Location:
Behind the sewage lagoon lot off the Charlotte Road.
Their building will be approximately 12 x 20 of a prefabricated material. This building will hold the utilities and equipment needed to assist with the functions of the tower itself.
Tower is 100’ feet of a stealth design. Antennas are concealed inside. Utilities will be underground from pole to the utility building.
Questions:
a) Height of the pole is 100’ high. How wide is the pole? 30"
Significantly larger than a telephone pole. The tower can go as high as 199’ before a lighted beacon would be needed for air traffic.
Capacity of the pole itself can be for 3 other companies to co-locate with Nextel. There could be 3 more small buildings on the lot along with Nextel to house utilities for their service.
Nextel building will house 2 air conditioning units. Noise level is slim to none. Nextel would visit site for maintenance once per month. This is an unmanned facility.
b) Audience member Wendy Ordway, Are there any guide wires involved?
No guide wires needed.
c) What is the noise level of the air conditioners?
Noise level is 43-44 decibels it is the equivalent to a regular air conditioner unit.
As the distance of the unit gets farther away the decibels decrease. This is not a consistent noise the cycle is every 10-15 minutes. It is more efficient in the winter than the summer months. The noise does not double because of more units. 3DB per unit added and dissipates over distance. Closest neighbor is 144 feet away.
d) Is there going to be any natural screening?
There is vegetation in the back but landscaping can be done in the front along Charlotte Road.
e) Is there going to be fencing around the facility?
A wooden stockade fence is proposed.
f) Is there any electromagnetic field surrounding the tower?
None
A blanket approval for the other co-locators should be applied to this permit. 4 units only.
The co-locator may want to add 10-20 feet to get higher up. A permit through the Board will be needed for that.
Above 199’ feet a red beacon will need to be added.
Site is approximately 2500 sq. ft. (50 x 50) Sq. footage needs to be clarified.
Board requests a photo or sketch of what facility will look like when completed. This request to be produced at next step.
Tom McGlenn moves to come up with conditions of approval.
Howdy Russell seconds the motion.
Unanimous.
2/1 meeting will be to act on conditions of approval for sketch plan.
6) Steve LIDLE & Nancy WRIGHT - request for amendment to a conditional use approval granted June 15, 1999.
The Board approved the property for year round use.
The septic was pre-existing and approved for 2 adults. Their new system has been installed and is a 2-bedroom system with a mound.
Nancy Wright asks for the amendment to change from "2 person" to "2 bedroom" system.
Septic will be inspected yearly per the State of Vermont by Septech , the maker and installer of this system.
There is not going to be a difference in the capacity use as there will still only be 2 adults living there. State regulationsrefer to number of bedrooms not number of people.
The issue is to not over strain the system. The house is currently a one-bedroom house and there are no plans to change this design at this time.
Septech is from Maine. What if something were to happen to this company, such as going out of business.
A condition will be added that the homeowner is obligated to still maintain the system yearly. A copy of the maintenance inspection will be submitted to the town.
A copy of the yearly water test will also be submitted for the first 3 years. Last year's test consideration to be the first year.
Tom McGlenn moves to approve conditions of 1999 approval renewal at next meeting.
Howdy Russell seconds this motion.
Unanimous.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:05 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Hannah B. Robert, Recording Secretary