HomeMy WebLinkAboutSE202100033 Correspondence 2021-07-12Submitted July 12, 2021
R. A. Yancey Lumber Corporation
Special Exception Request SE 2021-,
I am writing to provide an update on the special exceptions granted for the above request.
On July 14, 2020 and August 19, 2020, the Board of Supervisors approved several special
exceptions requested by the R. A. Yancey Lumber Corporation ("Yancey"), for Tax Map Parcels
55-111B and 55-12 (the "Property"), subject to certain conditions.
On January 6, 2021, the Board of Supervisors granted Yancey's request to extend the deadline to
complete Condition 2 of the Special Exceptions, from February 1, 2021 to October 1, 2021. We
are making significant, steady progress toward completing this work, and we hope to meet the
extended deadline. However, our contractors have informed us there is a possibility that this
work will not be completed by October 1, 2021. For this reason, we are submitting this request
to extend the deadline from October 1, 2021 to December 15, 2021.
We felt it was wise to submit this request at this time, to allow for Staff review and action by the
Board of Supervisors before the October 1, 2021 deadline. If the work is completed in time to
comply with the deadline, Yancey will withdraw this request.
Update on Setback Mitigation Projects required by Original Special Exception Approvals:
Number
Item
Deadline/timingDeadline/timing
Status
Deadline Satisfaction
1
Bldg around Stacker
15-OU-20
Completed 10-15-20
On time
2
Swales Fence adjacent to S/5(457)
17-Nov-20
Completed 10-S-20
43 days early
3
Swales fence toward Rt 250(220')
17-Dec-20
Completed 10-8-20
70 days early
4
Noise test for Stacker
10/15/2020+
Completed 10-15-20
On time
5
Fence along Yancey Mill Lane 250-270'
16-Jan-21
Completed 10-30-20
77 days earl
6
Sorter construction
After passi ng Stacker noise test
Compl etion expected Se ptem ber 1, 2021
N/A
7
Bldg around Sorter
After Sorter construction
Notyetbegun
N/A
8
Noise test for Sorter
After Sorter Bldg completed
Notyetbegun
N/A
Condition 2 of the Special Exceptions — fire suppression systems needed for Certificates of
Occupancy (COs):
Condition 2, as amended, mandates that "for any existing structure that is not issued a CO by
October 1, 2021, the owner must cease use of the structure until such time as a CO is obtained."
The structures in question are our sawmill, planer mill, and fuel station — any interruption in their
operations would put the company's existence in jeopardy.
Yancey continues to work diligently to satisfy the CO requirements by the deadline of October 1,
2021. We have now completed the renovation of the fuel station, and we have made significant
progress on the fire suppression systems.
Given that continued operation of these structures is critical for our business, and given the
significant progress we have made toward completion of the necessary improvements, I am
writing to request an extension of that deadline from October 1, 2021 to December 15, 2021.
Reasons for my request:
1
The two systems which triggered my extension request are the same as those for the prior
extension request: 1) a heat detection system throughout the planer and sawmill buildings; and
2) water curtains in both mills to effectively shrink the space. Both of these systems must be
installed in both the planer and sawmill buildings before a CO can be issued as required by
Condition 2. As noted in our prior extension request, the mill production must continue unabated
throughout the construction/installation process. Our contractors continue to work around our
production schedule as much as possible, which has meant nights and weekend work. The
contractors continue to make good progress, but the limitations on when they can work adds to
both the duration of the projects and the costs. We have also experienced significant delays in
acquiring materials due to the ongoing disruption to the supply chain caused by the COVID-19
pandemic, and in maintaining a construction work force, also related to the pandemic, and other
unforeseen delays.
Work on both the heat detection system and the water curtains is ongoing, and substantial
progress on these improvements has been made. Our progress to date includes the following:
• We have completed construction of the catwalk system in the sawmill and planer mill that
provides a way to install and maintain the fire suppression systems. The catwalk system
was not originally anticipated as part of the project, and it had to be completed before
the other components could begin. Completion of this system has allowed work on the
heat detection system and water curtains to finally get underway.
• The necessary wiring for the heat detection system has been installed in the sawmill, and
is underway in the planer mill. This system will detect heat above a certain level which
would indicate a fire, which would then trigger an automatic alarm that would sound in
our business office and also alert the fire department using an automated telephone
dialing system. This automated system required the that we run two dedicated fiber lines
to each of the planer mill and the sawmill. Installation of these fiber lines is underway
now and expected to be complete in the coming weeks.
• The water curtain system also requires the installation of a water pumphouse and a
custom water tank at each of the sawmill and planer mill. This also requires the
construction of a concrete pad for all of the structures, and the installation of plumbing
to serve all four structures. The interior plumbing is being installed at the planer mill now,
and it is expected to be completed this week, and then the interior plumbing installation
at the sawmill will begin. Once the pump houses are complete, the interior piping will be
connected.
• We have broken ground on the pump house at the sawmill and will break ground for the
planer mill pump house immediately thereafter. We expect construction to be complete
within the next few weeks.
• The safety renovations to the fuel station is completed. These repairs included the
complete removal of the existing combustible construction and construction of a new
non-combustible roof and faming system and the construction of a concrete block fire
separation wall between the fueling station and the adjacent shop building.
2
• The current schedule projects that the water curtain and heat detection systems will be
ready for final inspection and completion in early September if the work progresses as
planned. Despite our efforts to complete these projects promptly, our contractors have
informed us that they cannot guarantee completion by October 1, 2021 (although this
deadline remains the goal). If we were to incur any further delays for any reason (such as
continued or exacerbated supply chain disruptions), we would risk missing the October 1,
2021 deadline, and at that time it would be too late to apply for an extension request and
have it be considered by the Board on or before September 15, 2021 (the last Board
meeting prior to October 1, 2021). Given the continuing challenges and uncertainty
regarding supply chain delays and other challenges in the construction industry, I thought
it was prudent to request this extension now to avoid having to shut down our operations
for failure to meet the deadline.
In conclusion:
I continue to work very hard to meet or exceed all the deadlines and terms to which we agreed,
but these two projects, and the associated components of each, exceed my ability to be certain
that we will meet the October 1, 2021 deadline. I did not plan to return to you for another
deadline extension request, but circumstances beyond my control have made this my only option
to avoid a shut down.
Thank you for your consideration of our request to amend Condition 2 to a December 15, 2021
deadline to obtain the Certificates of Occupancy for existing structures.
Patrick May, President
R A Yancey Lumber Corporation
45399144_3
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