QUARTERLY OPEN TOWN MEETING
The Quarterly Open Town Meeting was held on February 5, 1990 at 7:30 p.m. with Mayor Richter presiding. Members present were Mr. Hall, Mr. Daisey, Mrs. Legates, Mr. Lynn, Mr. Christiansen, Mr. Levitt, Mr. Salters, Mr. Weyandt and Mr. VanSant.
Staff members present were Chief Hutchison, Mr. Lucas, Ms. Swain, Mr. Cregar and Mrs. Boaman.
SCHUTTE FARM TURBINE - DESCRIPTION AND NOISE VARIANCE
The City of Dover purchased 163 acres of land, located adjacent to Scott Paper on North Street, which is known as the Schutte Farm. In 1986, the Electric Department recognized that there would be deficiencies in capacity in the coming years. A study was performed in 1988 by Resource Management, Inc. which showed a need for peaking capacity by the year 1991. One year ago, Council approved the project for a combustion turbine and shortly thereafter obtained the Schutte property as a site for the turbine. Also planned for this site is a future west side park and future water source development.
Mr. French, Electric Director, explained that the combustion turbine utilizes a turbine similar to that in an aircraft engine. The turbine is approximately 120' long, 20' - 30' wide, and will have a stack approximately 70' high with silencing in the stack. Various permits will be required, but Mr. French wished specifically to address the variance required for the noise level of the turbine. He assured the audience that the City will have to meet all requirements and obtain all permits just as would be required from any other developer. The nearest residential property is 2,300' from the site chosen for the turbine. The turbine would normally only operate approximately 500 hours per year, although permitting approval would allow more. It is anticipated that the turbine would be utilized in the afternoons of hot, summer days. Mr. French reiterated that a combustion turbine is a peaking unit and not a main power source. Explaining the benefits of membership in the PJM Pool, Mr. French stated that the City of Dover maintains one of the lowest electric rates in the area. In order to be a member of the Pool, we must have additional capacity when it is needed.
Responding to questions from the audience, Mr. French explained that rail service is not required since the unit will be transported to the site by truck and will burn gas and oil. Regarding the need to transport coal to this site, Mr. French stated that there may be a possibility of a coal fired unit in the future at this site, but at the present time the combustion turbine is all that is planned.
Mr. Ed Cregar, Planner, stated that the Comprehensive Plan designates the area (southwest quadrant of the City) in the vicinity of the Schutte property, as Industrial Park and Manufacturing. The properties in this vicinity run from medium density residential to low density residential, and agricultural lands. Mr. Cregar displayed a map depicting the site plan for the turbine and its access road which will access from the Hazletteville Road. It was determined that the turbine, at the proposed site, would be unable to meet the noise performance standards within the City's zoning ordinance. The turbine will sit approximately 300' from the property line of Scott Paper. The City of Dover then applied for a variance to the Board of Adjustments. The Board of Adjustments consists of five (5) lay members and is charged with the responsibility of hearing requests for variances or modifications to the City's ordinances. When this request came before the Board in December 1989, several questions were raised and the Board requested that the City Electric Department and Stone & Webster develop written answers to their questions. A second public hearing will be held by the Board of Adjustments on this matter in February. Mr. Cregar reminded the citizens that because the City wished to place the turbine as far away as possible from the nearest residential property, there is a need for a variance of the noise level at the Scott Paper property line. The City's noise level requirements are more restrictive than the requirements of the State of Delaware.
Many questions were raised by the audience regarding the prospect of the City constructing a coal burning unit at this site. Mr. VanSant explained that Council has looked at several options to ensure that adequate electric capacity is available for our citizens. Part of the plan called for a base unit and that the permitting process be started. The base unit could be many things, such as a fluidized bed, combined fluidized bed, a 50 MW unit, combination of coal/gas/oil burning unit, combined cycle, etc. There are many options that the City could pursue. The reason that the City has begun the permitting process of a coal fired unit is that it takes approximately 17 months to gain final approval for such a unit. Regulations are very stringent for this type of permit approval. Although the permitting process for a coal fired unit has begun, the City can stop the process at any time. This decision, however, is entirely separate from the issue of a combustion turbine. Although the permitting process for a coal fired unit has been initiated, Mr. Levitt explained that future technology and new EPA standards could completely change this concept.
Regarding questions from the audience on why this site was selected, Mr. VanSant stated that the site contains approximately 163 acres which is sufficient to ensure that residential properties will not be affected by the City's electric equipment as has occurred at the McKee Run Generation Station where residential properties have been permitted to locate in very close proximity to the unit.
Mr. French went into great detail to explain the specifics of noise levels, explaining that “decibel” is an energy term and “dBa” is a measure of the impact of the noise on the human ear. At the Scott Paper property line, the noise level will be approximately 7 dBa higher than permitted by ordinance. The dBa level of the turbine at Crossgates is estimated at 37 dBa and with background noise the dBa would be approximately 43. Regarding combined noise levels, Mr. French explained that combined noise levels equal 3 dBa higher than their combined sums.
Asked by the audience what it would cost to place a wall around the turbine to act as a silencer, Mr. French estimated that it would cost in excess of $800,000. Mr. VanSant stated that if the noise level variance was being requested for an adjacent residential property, Council would not hesitate to expend the necessary funds. However, since the affected property is another industrial property, Mr. VanSant felt that the taxpayer's money would be wasted by constructing such a wall. Members of Council assured those present that approval of the variance request would in no way set a precedent for other industrial lands, noting that any variance to the City's noise level ordinance would require approval by the Board of Adjustment.
Mr. Weyandt reminded those present that the City of Dover Council is attempting to supply the necessary electric capacity for its citizens at the most economical cost. Customers are not conserving electricity use and if citizens expect the City to supply them with electrical service, then the City of Dover must take steps to increase its capacity.
CAESAR RODNEY HIGH SCHOOL BAND
On behalf of the students in the Caesar Rodney High School Band and their parents, Col. Harper expressed their sincere thanks to members of Council for their financial assistance and public support for a trip to London, England by the Band.
A member of the band, Sherrie Stoebner, addressed Mayor Richter and the members of Council, to highlight the many interesting and educational experiences the Caesar Rodney High School Marching Band members were able to participate in as a result of the support of the community. The Band performed in the Lord Mayor of Westminster's New Years Day Parade. It was an experience of a lifetime, and on behalf of the students of the Caesar Rodney High School Marching Band, Ms. Stoebner extended appreciation to the City of Dover for its contribution to the success of their trip.
Mr. David DeLong, Band Director and President of the Caesar Rodney Band Parents Association, also expressed appreciation to the City for its contribution towards the trip to England. The cost of the trip was approximately $200.000 and would never have been possible without the support of the community.
Meeting Adjourned at 9:40 P.M.
DEBRAH J. BOAMAN
CITY CLERK
JOHN E. RICHTER
MAYOR
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