Paperwork trickling in on Alchemist brewery plan

The District 5 Environmental Commission held an Act 250 hearing Sept. 23, but recessed it until the contractor and subcontractors submitted more information.

Mark D’Angelo, the Alchemist’s general contractor, said if the project gains final Act 250 approval in the next month or so, foundation work could start this fall, and the brewery could be completed by Thanksgiving 2015. That’s all subject to change if the process is held up.

In the meantime, the one person who’s a party to the case and opposes with the project continues to protest, based on increased traffic.

Tom Meehan owns a condominium on Cottage Club Road, a quarter-mile past where the Alchemist brewery will be built if it gets state Act 250 approval. Meehan has opposed the project on traffic grounds, but the Act 250 commissioners have said they cannot deny a project based on traffic. The Stowe town government approved the brewery project June 17.

Meehan did not return a request for comment, but he did email the Stowe Reporter a review of the Alchemist traffic study, done by a competing transportation engineering firm. The Conley Associates peer review said the study done in May by Resource Systems Group of Burlington was “conducted appropriately.” Its only concern was whether there would be large fluctuations in how much beer the retail outlet would sell.

On Nov. 5, Alchemist’s lead engineer, Chris Austin, reaffirmed the estimate of 320 to 360 cases “during a typical peak day.”

Also last week, the state Department of Environmental Conservation gave its OK for the Alchemist to discharge storm water that runs off the 1.6-acre plot into the West Branch river. The permit is valid until 2024.

The Act 250 commissioners asked the Alchemist for several pieces of information before it will issue a land use permit:

• Describe the ventilation system and how it prevents odors from getting out to the general public.

• Explain how the waste disposal process works.

• Describe the system for protecting a domestic well on the property.

• Explain snowplowing plans.

• Provide pedestrian and bicycle safety assurances.

• Provide a landscaping maintenance plan.

Through the review process, many state and local bodies have submitted letters recommending approval of the new brewery.

The Stowe Planning Commission gave unanimous support, saying the brewery fits well with the town plan, particularly in bringing vibrancy to the Mountain Road village district, and in strengthening the town’s manufacturing base.

Stowe Electric supports the project, as long as Alchemist doesn’t go over 150 kWh capacity, and as long as it doesn’t use electric heat.

And the Lamoille County Planning Commission submitted support, giving credit to Alchemist for paying for the left-turn lane for southbound traffic on Route 108 that is recommended by the Vermont Agency of Transportation.

Taylar Foster of the county planning commission wrote: “The project is one of appropriate size, scale and character for the area and will increase employment, local property taxes, and will draw visitors from in and outside of the region.”