MINUTES OF THE SHAFTSBURY PLANNING COMMISSION
JUNE 24, 2003, COLE HALL, SHAFTSBURY, VERMONT
Board Present: Andrew Knafel, Chairman, Kevin Brubiski, Vice-Chairman,
David Mance, Jim Serrao
Board Absent: William Jakubowski and Mark Young
Other’s Present: Anthony Zazzaro, Zoning Administrator, and Cynthia
Hamilton
Mr. Knafel called the meeting to order at 7:37pm.
Arthur & Audrey Jones: Final Approval: This was tabled until the next
meeting noting a lack of a quorum after Mr. Mance and Mr. Knafel excused
themselves from this application.
Mr. Mance recused himself from the Commission at this time.
Preliminary Site Review: TAM Inc.
Mr. Mance distributed plans detailing this proposal. This is located on North
Road, encompassing the remainder of lots previously owned by Dailey’s Inc. in
the Industrial 2 zone. This proposal is for a log sorting and scaling operation.
Specifically logs are purchased, graded and sorted and resold. Truck traffic at
this site is expected to increase by 20-30 trucks weekly, [10-15 delivering logs
and 10-15 transporting out to markets]. Mr. Mance cited a similar operation on
Ben Mont Avenue in Bennington, noting that there are no immediate receiving
markets in this area. Because the original application for this site was not
approved for access from Daniel’s Road, compounded with the expected truck
traffic from Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday’s operation of the transfer station,
Mr. Mance will discuss the optimum configuration for traffic flow with Ron
Daniels.
Mr. Mance explained the circular flow of traffic expected on the site,
utilization of a picker truck to remove and reload the logs. Mr. Mance explained
that this site will be owned by TAM Inc., but rented out for the use at hand by
D&D Logs, [who are relocating from Arlington, VT]. This type of operation is
busiest from the end of October through the first part of March, with a
consistent reduction in operations from March through October. Hours of
operation are expected to be 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, to utilize daylight. Mr. Mance
noted that there should be no extraneous noise outside of the occasional
chainsaw to trim logs when needed. The total size of the lots encompassed in
this proposal is 4.71 acres. The only building to be constructed will be a 10’ x
10’ storage building to house tools, hydraulic needs, etc. Furthermore, Mr.
Mance noted that there will be no lighting located on this site. Questions arose
in regards to sanitation facilities. Mr. Mance will detail the location of a
port-a-potty on the site plan. Mr. Mance explained that adjacent landowners had
not been notified, at this time.
Mr. Bubriski expressed concern with the level of noise that might be generated
from such an operation. Mr. Mance explained the need for the intermittent use of
a chainsaw, but will try to borrow a decibel meter from Dailey’s to get a range
of the noise that might be generated from such, utilizing the comparison of
TAM’s existing facility on North Road that contains a berm.
With this discussion, the Shaftsbury Planning Commission scheduled this for a
final review at a joint meeting of the Planning Commission and Shaftsbury Zoning
Board of Adjustment on July 22nd, 2003, with an on-site to be done at 7:30pm on
the same night, and provided the following conditions are adhered to:
1. Detail the location of a port-a-potty on site plan
2. Notify all adjacent landowners
3. Conduct a decibel test of the expected noise from this type of operation
Minutes of May 27th, 2003 & July 08th, 2003:
These were tabled at this time for approval at the next meeting of the
Shaftsbury Planning Commission.
Zoning Administrator’s Report:
Mr. Zazzaro updated the Commission on some construction that’s occurred without
permits, and how he’s following up on them. Discussion ensued with regards to
changing the permit process and subsequent fee schedule to be based on square
footage vs. value of construction to provide some equity in fee assessments. Mr.
Zazzaro will find out how adjacent towns assess their building fee’s and report
back to the Commission. Mr. Zazzaro reported that the Shaftsbury Selectboard now
have to sign off on all curb cuts in the Town.
Other Business:
Mr. Bubriski questioned whether Dailey’s Inc. had a permit to dredge their
wetlands, noting some citizens had approached him with concerns. Mr. Zazzaro
will contact Mr. Dailey to find out if he has/needs a State permit to dredge the
accumulated pond fill and burying of concrete on his site, and report back to
the Commission.
With no further business before the Commission, Mr. Mance made a motion to
adjourn at 8:30pm. Mr. Serrao seconded this motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
Cynthia Hamilton
Secretary