UTILITY COMMITTEE

The Utility Committee Meeting was held on October 26, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. with Chairman Ruane presiding. Members present were Mr. Hogan, Mr. McGiffin, Major Kosior, and Mr. Snaman.

AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS

Mr. McGiffin moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Hogan and unanimously carried.

Garrison Oak Concept Plan

Members were provided a conceptual plan for Garrison Tract. Mr. Anthony DePrima, City Manager, reviewed the plan and noted that the tract is approximately 389 acres in size (about one (1) mile from end to end) and is being discussed as a potential site for a solar energy project, a future natural gas plant, and for general development. In developing a plan for the land, Mr. DePrima noted that four (4) types of factors were considered: 1) environmental factors (woodlands, wetlands, topography); 2) community concerns (potential impact on neighbors); 3) placement of utilities on the tract (water, sewer, and electric); and 4) zoning considerations. He explained that the site will be served by a loop road off White Oak Road and will link up to a service road proposed by the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT). This will provide the site access to SR 1 via the Rt. 8 interchange.

Referring to the conceptual map, Mr. DePrima explained that the light green area at the top of the plan denotes an area of woodlands to be used as a buffer, which also complies with the City’s woodland preservation ordinance. The buffer will be extended across an open field that abuts Wild Meadows, the tract’s densest residential neighbor. He noted that the existing hedgerow in that area may be supplemented with tree plantings, which will mitigate some of the necessary woodland cutting that will occur.

Mr. DePrima stated that the location of the proposed 100-acre solar park, just south of the buffer area on the west side, was chosen for two reasons: 1) it is expected to generate little noise and have few employees, making it a suitable neighbor for Wild Meadows residents, and 2) it will require only a power line, not water or sewer. Water and sewer will be conveyed to the front of the tract from White Oak Road and will not be needed in the north portion of the tract if the solar park is placed there, reducing the cost of providing utilities. Mr. DePrima noted that there is a need to clear trees in a wooded area west of the property, which is owned by DelDOT, to prevent shadows from blocking the solar panels. He stated that DelDOT had no objections.

Mr. DePrima explained that most of the blue area in the front of the tract denotes 10 to14 acre lots designated for industrial and economic development. He stated that the largest lot in the northeast corner is being considered for an onsite natural gas plant and was placed beside a wooded area to provide a visual buffer. Mr. DePrima noted that the loop road could potentially be built as part of the construction of the gas power plant if that concept goes through, which would be an asset for economic development. He explained that one idea which is being explored is to wire that area in a manner which would allow the placement of solar panels on the roofs of other buildings on the tract. The panels could be used to generate power that is either used by companies to offset electric costs or leased by the solar park to increase the ability to generate solar power.

Mr. DePrima explained that the light green areas in the center of the map are designated for drainage, and the ponds displayed would be water quality ponds rather than retention ponds, which would clean water before it drains from the property.

The bright green area in the front of the lot denotes a 5 to 10 acre site that is being promoted as a potential site for a Delaware Technical and Community College training center. He noted that Del Tech hopes to submit a grant to build a campus as a green technology, energy conservation center for Delaware, which he felt would be a good draw to the site. He emphasized that this concept is at the discussion phase only and there is no firm agreement yet. If this does not occur, he indicated the property will revert to industrial/economic development use.

Mr. DePrima noted that the only utility required to extend to the back of the property will be an overhead 69 Kv line, which will run from White Oak Road relatively close to the Cartanza substation.

In response to Mr. Snaman, Mr. DePrima stated that the solar panels have not yet been selected; however, he did not believe that they would be the type that rotate to track the sun.

Responding to Mr. Snaman, Mr. Lunt, Public Utilities Director, noted that the prospective natural gas provider has been in confidential negotiations with Eastern Shore Natural Gas. He stated that it appears there are adequate existing easements and right-of- ways to access the natural gas pipeline.

Mr. DePrima noted that the next expected contract relating to the solar energy park would be for a land lease and use of the transmission line. Mrs. Ann Marie Townshend, Director of Planning and Community Development, noted that a pre-application meeting was held with the planning staff. She projected that the conceptual subdivision plan may be reviewed at the Planning Commission meeting scheduled for December.

In response to Mr. Ruane, Mr. DePrima indicated that the two potential developers appear satisfied with the proposed plan. Mr. Lunt indicated that the potential solar energy provider has finalized their land needs and layout.

 

Mr. Ruane noted that the Wild Meadows Homeowners’ Association newsletter reports a favorable response from community members. He noted that he had attended a recent Homeowners’ Association meeting and received positive feedback. Mr. Ruane commended Mr. DePrima and other members for the presentation they provided regarding the project meeting. He stated that he had sent a copy of the proposed layout to the editor of the Association’s newsletter.

Responding to Mr. Ruane, Mr. DePrima noted that he hoped to provide a subsequent presentation at Dover Park, to be scheduled prior to the Planning Commission public meeting. Mr. Ruane suggested that nearby neighbors receive a special invitation to attend the meeting. Mr. DePrima stated he was considering reaching out to an area broader than immediate neighbors.

Mrs. Townshend noted that subdivision approval is a two-step process for the Planning Commission involving review of the conceptual plan and then a subsequent review for the preliminary subdivisions, so there will be two (2) opportunities for a public hearing. She noted that the individual site plans will also be reviewed.

Mr. Hogan moved for acceptance of the concept plan, seconded by Mr. Snaman and unanimously carried.

Request for Street Abandonment (paper) - Portion of Galaxy Drive (Between Lots 12 and 22)- Kent County Aeropark

A request was received from McCrone Engineering, on behalf of the Kent County Aeropark Development Authority, for the abandonment of a 600 foot portion of Galaxy Drive, lying between lot 12 and lot 22, in Kent County Aeropark. The roadway is unimproved and is considered to be a “paper” street; therefore, it does not require review by the Development Advisory Committee (DAC) or Planning Commission. Members were provided a map of the area.

The Aeropark Authority, which serves as an advisory group to Kent County Levy Court, the owner of record for the two (2) lots in the right-of-way, requested the abandonment to allow for a consolidation of Lots 12 and 22, resulting in a more favorable and marketable lot configuration. A similar abandonment by the City of Dover in 1994 resulted in the development of the former "Sunroc" property. City of Dover regulations require that road abandonment occur before a lot consolidation request be processed.

Mr. DePrima, City Manager, indicated that the subject property is a curved portion of Galaxy Drive, which is a roadbed that was platted but never built. The road was intended to serve lots 11, 21, 12, and 22. He noted that when Sunroc moved into the Aeropark, they purchased lots 11, 20, and 21, and, since that time, the lots have been considered as one parcel. Mr. DePrima noted that these lots have since been sold. He explained that abandoning this portion of the road would allow the Aeropark Authority to merge lots 12 and 22 and capture the land which has been set aside for a right-of-way.

Mr. DePrima noted that the hashmarked areas on the map indicate adequate utility access to the remaining lots if the street is abandoned. He advised members that there will be a notification process for the surrounding property owners, noting that lots 11 and 21 are owned by one group that may oppose the abandonment since a second entrance to the rear of their property might be desirable.

In response to Mr. Hogan, Mr. DePrima stated that lots 11, 20, and 21 were consolidated, although this change has not been recorded.

Staff recommended approval of the abandonment, if there are no objections from adjacent owners. This recommendation is being made without the benefit of a public hearing, which will be required

before City Council action.

Mr. Hogan moved to recommend approval of Staff’s recommendation, seconded by Mr. McGiffin and unanimously carried. (City Clerk’s Note: In accordance with the City’s Procedure for Alley Abandonments, a Resolution setting the Public Hearing (Attachment #1) will be presented to Council for consideration for adoption.)

PACE/NAES Monthly Report (August)

Members were provided the PACE/NAES Monthly Report for August. The report was provided to allow members the opportunity to monitor what is being sold in electric and the revenues received, which will give members a better understanding of any fluctuations and make improvements if deemed necessary. Although it was not staff’s intention to make a presentation of the report, they welcomed any questions.

Mr. Anthony DePrima, City Manager, noted that net generation for August was lower than expected due to cool temperatures.

Mr. McGiffin moved to recommend acceptance of the report, seconded by Mr. Snaman, and unanimously carried.

Mr. Snaman moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. McGiffin and unanimously carried.

Meeting Adjourned at 5:25 P.M.

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

Eugene B. Ruane

Chairman

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Attachments 

Attachment #1 - Resolution - Street Abandonment (Paper) - Portion of Galaxy Drive - Kent County Aeropark