10/09/2013 ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS Minutes

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MASHPEE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS OCTOBER 9, 2013 MINUTES NSTAR has previously been subject to zoning exemptions for the expansion of the site to ensure continuity of this particular substation. A lot of instances incurred including Mashpee's Zoning Bylaws were not written with public utility facilities in mind and sometimes the application of local zoning to substation facilities and other utility projects can be ambiguous which could lead to legal problems down the road. The department has overall authority of all utility facilities in the Commonwealth and so seeking their review to ensure continuity across the companies, service territory, and customer reliability. The exemptions the Company will be seeking in front the DPU doesn't necessarily involve use because the site is partly used as a substation and was previously exempt, but there are other uses and special permit type provisions that would apply and also several dimensional provisions the Company would need relief. Mr. Zicko, Manager of Substation Engineering, stated since the early 1970's the predecessor companies of NSTAR Electric have owned and operated the substation at 21 Orchard Road. The station was originally constructed by Cape & Vineyard Electric who sought zoning exemption from the Mass DPU to install two transformers at this location. At the time, system conditions dictated that only one was required and only one installed. In spring of 2013, the original transformer dating back to mid -1970's needed more capacity and was replaced with a brand new transformer that is larger and stayed within the fenced • area of the existing station. This project would consist of adding a second transformer with some associated switching equipment' and to expand the fence line of the station to accommodate this equipment. The project will also provide an opportunity to upgrade and modemize switching equipment that dates back to early 70's and replace with state-of-the- art control and switching equipment. The height variance is the International Guard Accident Prevention Zone and there's a 35 foot height limit. The current structures are 60-65 Feet. There are currently no aviation markers. The proposed structures for this project would 65 feet high, and would be consistent with the current structures. The was provisions for a "second identical 115/23 KB Transformer and one 115 KB Circuit Breaker and associated equipment will be installed in the future as dictated by load conditions. The property is owned by NSTAR Electric and the fenced area will increase another 30,000 square feet and will be moved 20 to 30 feet closer toward Orchard Road. The road improvement construction will include paving the neighboring road approximately 20 feet and reconfigure the road that leads into the station and finished with crushed stone. There will be landscaping toward the back of the station and gate entrance. A tree buffer between Orchard Road and the station will decrease a little for the addition of the road way and the fence line but the majority of it will remain. Mr. Furbush wanted to know the proposed setback from Orchard Road. He read a comment from Conservation which stated; "Small wetland area discovered by NSTAR employee Kevin McCune- he contacted Conservation Department. NSTAR will file an RDA • application with the Conservation Commission to plant around/enhance isolated wetland as part of substation project landscaping." 9