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

Aesthetic Assessment of the Proposed Beaver Wood Biomass Facility
2. The Quechee Analysis
The plumes are a necessary byproduct of the plant’s operation and will be seen
intermittently in surrounding areas, usually rising above treeline. Overall, visibility
of the plumes will be limited since formation is dependent on atmospheric and
operational conditions, and will not be dominant in the visual landscape on a daily
basis. Plumes and stacks are not uncommon sights in our developed landscapes and
are often associated with manufacturing or energy generation.
In conclusion, due to the limited visibility, the topographical nature of the site itself,
and compatible uses within the vicinity, this seems to he an ideal site for a biomass
facility. If constructed, the Project will result in minimal off-site aesthetic impacts.
Notes with regard to Exhibit 3. Potential Visibility Map
The potential visibility map provides a point of departure for assessing how visible a
project may be within its delineated viewshed. The process includes an initial
assessment using GIS software and data sets and is then refined by analysis on the
ground. Field assessment provides additional verification of visibility or lack of visibility.
Land Works conducted a field study to ascertain the extent of visibility within the 1 and
3 mile radius, using the GIS analysis os a point of departure. The following notes are
keyed to the numbers inserted on the Potential Visibility Map and they explain why the
visibility of the Project, as verified in the field, will be extremely low even within the
areas of potential visibility displayed on Exhibit 3.
I. The Project will not be visible from the majority of residential and Town center areas
af Fair Haven. Consisting largely of alder neighborhoods, the buildings were built close
together and there exists a large quantity of mature trees and urban toresi cover that
will screen ‘potential views” as shown on the Potential Visibility Map.
2. Similar to area 1, the density of the neighborhoods and the maturity of the tree
canopy will largely block views from this area. Visibility opens up at the recreation field
at the Old School site, but will be imited to sections of the field away from trees, and
when the view is clear, at most, the top 40% of the stack will be visible.
3, This area represents the greatest Project visibility. Located in this section is a segment
of US Route 4 and the Vermont Welcome Center. The Welcome Center will have the
most visibility, whie views from Route 4 will be limited along as the grade of the
highway is considerably lower than that of the surrounding areas with additional
screening in the farm of rock outcroppings adjacent to the highway and intermittent
vegetation. The majority of the area consists of farm fields in the flood plain and few
residences.
4. Views from this area will be largely screened by the immediate presence of
buildings and trees where the road is more densely developed, and where the view
opens up along farm fields, the dense forest to the north of the Project site will provide
additional screening. Any potential views will be filtered through these layers of
intervening structures and vegetation.
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