Pre-Filed Testimony and Exhibits of David Raphael - Vermont Public ...

Aesthetic Assessment of the Proposed Beaver Wood Biomoss Facility
2. The Quechee Analysis
area as there are large tracts of forests, and logging trucks are commonly seen
driving through the center of Town as well as along US Route 4. Stone and gravel
quarries are also common throughout the area, as are related industries such as the
Vermont Structural Slate Company, located nearby on South Main Street.
Fair Haven is a historic mill town and has historically been home to various
industries ranging from sawmills and paper mills, to forges, marble mills and slate
mills. Its industrial heritage is apparent throughout the Town, both in the current
uses it supports, as well as the remaining buildings and homes that once were part of
the mills and worker housing. Therefore, this aspect of the Project will be compatible
with what is already in place and common to residents and visitors of the area.
2.1.C Are the colors and materials selected for the Project suitable for the context
within which it is located?
While industrial in nature, the visual impact of the biomass facility will be minimized
by incorporating non-reflective earth tone colors wherever possible. The facility will
consist of buildings, chip silos, a chimney (or stack), and other associated smaller
silos and tanks as well as conveyors. All buildings will have metal siding painted
light forest green. The silos will be constructed out of concrete and will be light tan in
color. Smaller silos and tanks will be metal and painted light tannish brown. The
chimney will be metal and may have a red stripe at the top, depending on the final
height of the stack (200 ft or higher requires a stripe). However, the stack is not
expected to reach over 180 feet.
Due to the site being surrounded largely by forest, the neutral earth tones, such as
the light forest green, were chosen to allow the buildings and associated structures to
blend into their surroundings as much as possible. Where this is not possible, as with
the chimney, the color or material was dictated by considerations for safety.
2.1.D What is the Project’s impact on open space?
This is not a public open space nor is there any designated or official public use or
access for this property, therefore the Project will not directly impact any existing
open space in Town. The Fair Haven Green, will have zero visibility. The park is
heavily covered with mature trees, and any possible views have been precluded by
canopy cover and surrounding buildings. The only open space that will have a view
is from parts of the Old School site located on Academy Street. The view from here
will be limited to no more than 40% of the stack and will not disrupt activities on the
site. There will be no impact, visual or otherwise, to public open space anywhere else
yithin the Town.
6