Benton tables bulk fuel storage permit application

BENTON--The town of Benton zoning board tabled discussion of a proposed special use permit for a Hometowne Energy fuel storage and distribution site after more than 50 residents attended the regular meeting Tuesday, July 2. Residents spoke both for and against the proposed facility, which would be located at 1633 Route 14A across from Hayes Auction Barn.
Zoning and Code Enforcement Officer Jayson Hoover said they would either address this issue at next month's meeting, Tuesday August 6, or hold a special meeting sometime in July in order to account for the public concerns. Hoover said the crowd was "split evenly" in their opinion, with some speaking for and some against the proposal.
The Yates County planning board had already approved the special use permit during their meeting Thursday, June 27. Benton Supervisor Robert Clark said the site has been used as a dumping ground for many years, and if granted the permit, Hometowne Energy would still need to get a site plan approved by the town.
Hometowne Energy President John Campbell said the company wants to use the site for the storage and distribution of 60,000 gallons of petroleum, diesel and propane. He said the company would construct an office building along with three tanks to hold the fuel products. Campbell said the only determined tank size so far was one 30,000 gallon propane tank.
Residents concerned with the fuel storage site said they did not want such an unsightly facility so nearby houses. They also said it would poorly influence a tourist's perception of the area upon entering or leaving the village of Penn Yan. Campbell assured them the company plans to do considerable screening and landscaping work so those who drive by it may not realize it is there.
Campbell said the company encountered a problem when the Geneva pipeline was shut down, requiring them to ship over larger distances in order to service this area. He said Hometowne Energy needed approval of the permit now though in order to have the storage in place for the fall to help service farmers during their harvest season. Campbell also said the company needed to locate the storage site along a state road to accommodate the semi-trucks driving in and out of the facility, which would be too heavy for a side road.
Clark said Hometowne Energy had a purchase offer in on the site, which is listed for $139,000 on www.nothnagle.com, but wanted the permit to be approved before investing the money into the project. Campbell said if it is not approved, Hometowne Energy will need to find another area for their storage and distribution facility.