Plymouth zoning board denies Eastern Propanespecial-exception for bulk propane storage

The Plymouth Zoning Board voted unanimously to deny a special-exception application from Eastern Propane/LP Gas Equipment to build a bulk propane storage facility off Tenney Mountain Highway.

The applicant proposed two 30,000-gallon aboveground propane tanks, a combined driver room/utility building, seven parking spaces and a perimeter fence with 16 inches of barbed wire. At a public hearing, project engineer Aaron Lamar (H E B Engineers) said site work and permitting applications to the New Hampshire Department of Transportation and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services were submitted and that recent design refinements removed a previously proposed infiltration basin in favor of catch basins and dry wells.

Why it matters: Board members and several nearby residents said the site is in a mixed agricultural/residential/commercial area and questioned whether the proposed industrial storage use was appropriate there and whether it would depress neighboring property values. The applicantacknowledged a need for regional propane storage but said the facility would be sited above the floodplain, screened by trees and comply with NFPA and other codes.

During questions, Eastern Propane representatives described safety features and operations. Evan Bonnie, assistant vice president of risk management, said the company installs surveillance cameras, keeps the site locked when unmanned, requires annual industrial checklists for large installations, and maintains an emergency-response team that coordinates with local fire departments. "There will be video cameras installed to survey the area," Bonnie said. He added that incidents at similar plants were rare in the company's experience and that built-in fail-safes and shutdown procedures limit release risks.

A member of the public, Alfie Kerr, said the adjacent lot is owned by Mountain Village Charter School and argued the site is not vacant; Kerr said the location is in an agricultural zone and asked why other, less-mixed locations were not being considered. "This is an agricultural zoneand they are asking for a special exception. I'm concerned why this piece of property when we have other locations," Kerr said.

In deliberations the board reviewed the special-exception criteria, noting details in the application including a 4.31-acre parcel with roughly 400 feet of Baker River frontage, a proposed lot coverage of about 26.7 percent, and an anticipated three bobtail trucks stored on-site and approximately 11 truck trips per day. Members expressed particular concern about impacts to a neighboring single-family house, perceptions of safety, potential effects on property values and the adequacy of information about demands on town services and the fire department. The clerk confirmed the town had shared the application with the Plymouth Fire Department and that final design plans were submitted for the departments review; the board said it wanted any fire-department needs resolved prior to implementation.

A committee member moved to deny the special-exception application "as written," the motion was seconded, and the board voted in favor. With three members present, the vote met the board's quorum requirement and passed unanimously.

After the denial the chair said the separate fence special-exception application became moot; the applicant asked to withdraw that application and the board accepted the withdrawal. The applicant indicated an interest in considering alternate locations and the board suggested planning-board coordination and continued permitting steps for any future submittal.

What's next: The applicant withdrew the fence application and may rework the proposal or pursue another site. Planning-board and state permit reviews (NHDOT driveway permit, NHDES shoreland/alteration-of-terrain review and any fire-department conditions) remain necessary for any future proposal.