TOWN OF RUTLAND

PLANNING COMMISSION

DRAFT

MINUTES

10-2-14

Meeting open at 7:00 PM

Commissioners Present:

Raymond Leonard, Howard Burgess, William Matteson, Dana Peterson and Andrew McKane

The meeting opened at 7:10 P.M.

The Commission received a proposed letter from Mr. Gene Benavdoin, of Saxon Partners, who told the Commissioners that he plans to purchase the Rutland Commons project from Mr. John Kalish.

Commissioners considered the letter. Mr. Matteson moved to have the Chairman sign the letter after it has been reviewed by attorney Mr. Kevin Brown. Mr. Burgess made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Ms. Nicole Kesselring, representing Mr. Benavdoin, presented plans and explained Mr. Benavdoin planned changes to the Rutland Commons.

Ms. Kesselring said the new single store project would be just over 72,000 square feet in size while the permitted project would have contained several stores totaling around 70,000 sq. ft. In size.

Ms. Kesselring said the plan still includes two small out buildings which could be either retail or restaurants. Mr. Benavdoin said one building would be 5,000 sq. ft. And the other would be 2,500 sq. ft. In size.

Ms. Kesselring said the large store would also have gasoline sales. She showed the location of the proposed gas pumps on the site plan. Ms. Kesselring told Commissioners that the new store would be 20 feet below US RT 7. Using a projector, Ms. Kesselring showed several views of the proposed store, as seen from different locations.

Mr. Benavdoin said the store would employ approximately 85 to 100 employees when operating.

Mr. Leonard questioned Mr. Benavdoin regarding the elimination of a right turn off US RT 7 into the Rutland Commons. Ms. Kesselring told Commissioners that she and Mr. Benavdoin had previously met with the Town's Police & Fire Chiefs and that they do not have a problem with the elimination of the right turn in provided the access road is widened.

Ms. Kesselring said as a result of the Chief's concerns the roadway was widened from a proposed 22 ft. to 36 ft. Ms. Kesselring said the new Commons project would remain within the footprint of the previously approved Commons project.

Ms. Kesselring told Commissioners that Holiday Drive and Cop John Drive would be

widened to three lanes to accommodate the proposed project. Mr. Leonard also questioned the applicant regarding changes to the traffic lights.

Ms. Kesselring said new lights would be set to control Cop John Drive and the Holiday Drive and the Cop John Drive intersection. Mr. Peterson said more time needs to be added to the light on US RT 7 for the vehicles exiting Holiday Drive and trying to enter US RT 7.

Ms. Kesselring said some more time will be added to the cycle cited by Mr. Peterson.

Ms. Kesselring referred to the plans and showed the location of the proposed water and sewer lines. She told Commissioners that the store will require a sewer pumping station, due to the fact it is lower than the existing sewer line. Ms. Kesselring also showed the locations for proposed storm water ponds.

Mr. Burgess told Mr. Benavdoin that in the past Rutland City officials have persuaded developers i the Town to pay the City of Rutland impact fees. Mr. Burgess urged Mr. Benavdoin to not do so if requested by City officials.

Mr. Burgess cited the fact that the City of Rutland would received five times the sewer rate for 10 years as well as a 20% real estate tax for 10 years from the proposed project.

Ms. Kesselring said she hopes to submit an Act 250 application amendment by the end of November. Mr. Benavdoin said he has made a commitment to begin construction on April 15, 2015 and have the store open by October 2015.

Mr. Peterson moved to approve the 9-4-14 minutes with changes. Mr. Matteson made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Matteson moved to close the meeting at 7:55 P.M. Mr. Leonard made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

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Andrew McKane, Chairman