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Section 69.16 Block Lot 1 Pre-Preliminary Application/Discussion Piping Route Location: 1101 Kitchawan Road, Yorktown Heights Contact: Frank Evon Description: Proposed water pipe replacement Project March 24, 2008 work session Mr. Klaus recused himself from this discussion. IBM needs to replace the pipes which carry water from the facility's air conditioners to its treatment plant. This is a normal maintenance operation which has been done once before. The existing pipes are underground which shortens their useful life, so it is proposed that the new pipes be contained in a tunnel for part of the route and above ground on concrete supports for the remainder. This will increase their lifespan and make them more accessible for maintenance and repairs. The pipes carry mostly water with a small amount of anti-corrosive chemicals. This will not change. The new pipe route will come from the front of the building and across the front lawn. The old pipes will be flushed with water and remain in the ground. The applicant brought photographs of what the pipeline would look like from various viewsheds. It will not be visible from anywhere off the IBM property, only from the driveway and the building itself. Additionally, a screening landscaping plan was proposed, using native plants placed at various elevations to simulate a natural configuration. ABACA will need to review the landscaping plans. The concrete of the support structures will be dyed to blend in with the landscaping. The construction phase is not expected to be intrusive to the neighborhood since all construction vehicles will enter from Route 134, not Pines Bridge Rd. The pipeline runs through a wetland buffer, so since an excavator will be used, an erosion control plan and wetland restoration and/or mitigation will be necessary. According to Mr. Tegeder, the proposal can be dealt with via a non-administrative wetland permit and an amended site plan. He also said the Planning Board could waive a public hearing if it desired. August 12, 2008, town board work session Daniel Chess of IBM explained to the board that IBM needs to replace two aging 24” steel condenser pipes on the site. The pipes, which connect the building to the site's on site treatment plant, will be part underground and part above ground. Because a portion of the site is in a wetlands buffer, the company needs a wetlands permit. In response to a question from Supervisor Peters, Mr. Chess explained that the company prefers to have the pipes above ground so that it is easy to identify the source of leaks. (An underground leak, such as the one the company had in 2003, is more difficult to locate and would require more excavation and land disturbance.) The pipeline will be screened with landscaping based on a plan approved by ABACCA. The plans will be referred to the appropriate boards for review and the town board will set a public hearing date ASAP as the company wants to begin construction in September. August 18, 2008, Planning Board work session Referral Building Inspector Contact: David Pinckney Description: Addition to the salt barn The salt storage barn was constructed years ago under administrative review. This application is for the addition of a small building for employees at the salt barn. Since no new parking is required, the Planning Board directed Mr. Tegeder to handle it administratively. September 16, 2008, town board meeting The board set Oct 7th as the date for a public hearing on IBM's request for a wetlands permit to replace an existing water pipe on its site. It was noted that the NYC DEP would be sending a representative to the meeting. September 22, 2008, work session Mr. Klaus recused himself for this discussion. Mr. Chess explained the plan and IBM's reasons for wanting it above ground. There being no opposition to the plan, Mr. Ryan said that the board will send a position recommendation to the town board. September 23, 2008, Town Board work session Representatives of IBM presented the board and town clerk with all the necessary reports relating to its application for a wetlands permit that is scheduled for a public hearing on October 7th. Town Clerk Alice Roker noted that it was a pleasure to work with such a cooperative applicant. October 7, 2008 Public Hearing The board unanimously approved both the wetlands and excavation permit. In response to a question from an adjoining property owner, Mr. Chess explained that 90% of the existing pipe would remain in the ground but that as it was a steel, not lead pipe, it was not hazardous. He also noted that the landscaping plan for the new above ground pipe would include 70 trees and 300 bushes. |