Larger Propane Tank Approved for Riverdale Ave.

A controversial application to replace an existing propane tank on with an even larger one recently gained approval from the .

The commission unanimously voted at its June 16 meeting in favor of plan to replace the temporary 18,000-gallon propane tank on site with a permanent 30,000-gallon tank at the company’s facility at 65 Riverdale Ave. The company has been in Shelton since about 2005, officials said.

said the site is zoned industrial, and the larger tank is a permitted use.

Parkins said the company owner, William Papale, presented a plan that was not only endorsed by the , met all the necessary requirements and included significant site improvements and additional safety measures.

“The plan that received approval from includes many site improvements and added safety factors over what is there now, and I feel addressed the concerns relevant to the P&Z Commission's purview that were raised by those who are opposed.,” Parkins said.

Additionally, Parkins said the plan also “met the requirements for the 100-year flood area and setbacks that are required by the

Parkins said the commission also recommended in its approval that automatic gates be installed on the site so that truck drivers coming in and out of the property won’t have to get out of their trucks to unlock the gate.

She added that due to the company’s close proximity to Route 8, delivery trucks have easy on and off access without creating additional traffic. And with a larger tank capacity, Parkins said fewer deliveries would need to be made.

Pioneer originally submitted its application in November 2010, but withdrew it this past February, before the commission could review it , as well as address comments and concerns raised by residents, the Fire Marshal and City Engineer, according to Parkins.

Parkins said a revised plan was since submitted in May, but there was no discussion on the propsosal as Papalle was not able to attend that meeting.

However, at the most recent commission meeting this month, Parkins said Papale presented his plans in detail, and answered the commission’s questions and concerns. “With approvals received from Inland/Wetlands and the Fire Marshal, along with the Commission's belief that the safety issues had been addressed, it was approved unanimously,” said Parkins.

Several neighbors who live near the , along with , had cited serious concerns for public safety with the installation of a larger propane tank.

McPherson, in a recent letter to the commission, not only called for removal of the existing 18,000-gallon tank, but urged the commission to deny the larger tank. He had said he was concerned about people residing on nearby Hull, Brewster and lower Myrtle streets, especially if one of the tanks exploded. McPherson also cited a serious propane truck fire that occurred on the property in March 2010, that fortunately was doused before it reached the propane tanks.

McPherson said he was disappointed by the commission’s approval, and plans to raise his concerns with the state fire marshal’s office.

Papale told commissioners the larger tank is intended to expand the company’s propane storage capacity, and that he plans to adhere to all local and state fire safety regulations.

Local engineer Jim Swift, representing Papale, had said he sees no significant environmental issues with the installation of the larger tank, nor a pollution threat to the Housatonic River.

Papale said a letter from Fire Marshal Jim Tortora stated the tank does not pose a danger to public safety.

After a review of the revised plan last month, Tortora signed off on Pioneer’s plans, citing no dangers with the larger tank.