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Reading schedules hearing for gas transfer stationREADING—The Reading planning board agreed to hold a public hearing, Thursday, Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m., concerning the proposed construction of the Finger Lakes LPG (Liquid Propane and Gas) transfer station.The decision was made at the specially scheduled Oct. 1 meeting. Representatives from Inergy L.P. were asked to provide more materials to help the planning board see what the project would look like. That included digital renderings of the offices/propane tanks and the brine pond, and how both could be visible from the road. Inergy is a propane marketing and distribution company. Frank Palumbo, a representative with C.T. Male Associates who produced the digital renderings, showed what the facilities would look like. He said the entrance to the offices, truck rack, and storage tanks, is on property located just off Route 14A, near the Route 14 intersection. The entrance is just south of the railroad tracks that crosses over Route 14A. He showed that the brine pond would be located on the east side of the Routes 14/14A junction ramp. Bill Newell, planning board member, was the only one who spoke out adamantly against the location of the brine pond. He said if it was relocated to the other side of Route 14 (where the rest of the facility is) he would have no objection. However, he said with the pond where it is currently is planned to be, he would vote against the project. Newell said he spoke with John Halfman, with the Finger Lakes Institute and the Seneca Pure Waters Association, and James Ryan, Hobart and William Smith professor of biology. He said he wanted their opinion on what would happen if the brine pond was compromised and the water made it into the lake. He said Halfman told him if the brine water got into the lake it would cause water quality problems. He also said Ryan told him the brine water could be devastating to the south end of the lake. Barry Cigich, Inergy employee, said the company does not own enough land to put the pond on the other side of Route 14. Gordon Wright, Reading planning board chairman, said at the previous meeting and at this meeting, he did not see how it would as problematic as that. It was suggested that the Finger Lakes LPG representatives contact Halfman and Ryan and ask more about what they said. The planning board also inquired about what would happen if there was a propane or butane leak. Cigich said none of the previous facilities have had that problem handling the product. During Palumbo’s presentation he showed what the offices and truck rack would look like using an actual photo of the location. He then showed the same view with trees planted along the side of the road to obscure the buildings. As per the board’s request the trees were different species. Palumbo said Finger Lakes LPG wants to use spruce, Russian olive, and lilac trees. He said these were chosen because they believe the trees would be right for the area. Palumbo also showed a view of the brine pond from the ramp going from Route 14 to Route 14A. He said that is where it would be visible, until the ramp crosses Route 14. He said the pond would be about 25 acres big. Palumbo explained trees would be put up to block most of the pond’s view. |
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Reading schedules hearing for gas transfer station
Oct 06, 2009 at 03:20 pm by Observer-Review
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