Regular Meeting
Town of Watertown Planning Board
May 8, 2017
Members Present: Pam Desormo, Co-Chair
Terry MacAdam
Jim Smith
Randy Vaas
Members Excused: Tom Boxberger
Mrs. Desormo called the rescheduled regular meeting of the Town of Watertown Planning Board to order at 7:00 p.m.
Motion 25-17: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Smith to schedule a Special meeting of the Town of Watertown Planning Board for Monday, June 5, 2017 at 6:15 p.m. This meeting will be solely to listen to public’s concerns regarding the Town of Watertown Sign Ordinance.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
The Town Clerk will post notice of this special meeting in the newspaper and notify Mike Cornell and the McCabe’s of the meeting.
Motion 26-17: Motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. MacAdam to accept the minutes of the April 3, 2017 meeting as written and distributed.
Ayes 4: Motion Carried.
The following public hearings were originally scheduled for Monday May 1, 2017 but the meeting was cancelled due to a severe rain storm. A second notice was submitted to the newspaper and adjacent property owners were notified by mail of the new meeting date for the public hearings.
PUBLIC HEARING – SITE PLAN
FX Caprara Import – Carolyn Pontiac Reconstruction Project – 19138 US Route 11 – Tax Map #91.05-1-61.2 – Site Plan.
Legal notice was published in the newspaper.
The public hearing was opened at 7:05 p.m. No one from the public wished to speak.
The public hearing was closed at 7:05 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING – SUBDIVISION
Mark & Muzeyyen O’Hara – 19634 Hillside Drive – Tax Map #82.20-2-65 – 3 Lot Subdivision.
Legal notice was published in the newspaper and evidence that adjacent property owners were notified was submitted.
The public hearing was opened at 7:06 p.m.
! Carol Hettick, 19669 Hillside Drive, expressed concerns on whether the sewer system could handle more hook ups. It was also her understanding, when she purchased her property 15 years ago, that no else would be allowed to build in that area.
-2-
Tom Ross, GYMO, explained that the sewer system is at full capacity but a study was done to support that the proposed lots are feasible for on-site sewer system.
Mrs. Desormo stated that the covenant allows property owners to subdivide, however, they are not allowed to connect to the sewer system. They must provide on-site sewer system.
! Steven Munson, 19452 Woodside Drive, asked if there are any plans to revisit the issues with the capacity of the sewer system.
Mrs. Desormo stated that the engineers are working with the Town Supervisor and Town Board to try to come up with some solutions.
The public hearing was closed at 7:10 p.m.
SUBDIVISION
Mark & Muzeyyen O’Hara – 19632 Hillside Drive – Tax Map #82.20-2-65 – 3 Lot Subdivision.
Tom Ross, GYMO, updated the board regarding the concerns expressed at the April meeting. He stated that there are no covenant restrictions of further subdivision, the Liettere Water Tract has sufficient water capacity for these two proposed parcels with on-site sewer system, and the driveway cuts were approved by the Town of Watertown Highway Superintendent. Discussion followed.
During the discussion period, Mr. Munson asked the board for permission to express a further concern regarding this subdivision. He wanted to know if any qualifications or deed restrictions were implemented by the property owners on the type of structure that could be built on the proposed lots, specifically, a set value to keep the integrity of the neighborhood. Ms. Hettick echoed Mr. Munson’s concerns.
Mrs. Desormo stated that the original covenants will be in effect. She stated that the Planning Board does not set restrictions and the matter before the board is a 3 lot subdivision only.
Mr. Munson stated that the original covenant value restrictions are old and need to be updated. He asked if the property owners had any plans to raise the value of the original covenant restrictions. Discussion followed.
Mr. Ross was not aware of any new deed restrictions set forth by the property owners, however, he made a courtesy call to the owners for clarification. The property owners agreed to set a restriction in the deed of a value of the home not less that $150,000 not including the purchase price of the land.
Motion 27-17: Motion by Mr. MacAdam, seconded by Mr. Smith to grant a 3 lot subdivision for Mark & Muzeyyan O’Hara, 19632 Hillside Drive, Tax Map #82.20-2-65, as shown on plans drawn by GYMO, dated 2/27/17, Project #85-377S.02, Drawing #01, showing Lot #1, #2 & #3. Lot #1 on Hillside Drive will consist of 1.331 acres, Lot #2 on Woodside Drive will consist of .470 acres, and Lot #3 on Woodside Drive will consist of .345 acres, conditional upon satisfactory review of lot descriptions.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
GYMO submitted perk test results along with verification that allows these lots to hook onto the Liettere Water Tract.
-3-
Mike Lundy – Washington Summit – Lot #2 – Tax Map #91.05-1-17.252 – 2 Lot Subdivision.
The Town of Watertown Zoning Board of Appeals granted a side setback variance for this proposed project on April 5, 2017.
Mr. Lundy submitted updated plans, lot descriptions, and the MYLARS. He still needs to submit a short SEQRA and the subdivision applications with appropriate fees. Discussion followed.
Motion 28-17: Motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mrs. Desormo to waive the requirement for a public hearing for subdivision as one was held by the Town of Watertown Zoning Board of Appeals on April 5, 2017 with no public comments or concerns.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Upon further discussion, an error was discovered on the plans. The board requested that corrected plans along with the SEQRA and completed subdivision application be submitted before approval can be granted. Mr. Lundy will appear at the June meeting with all required paperwork.
SITE PLAN
Keystone Novelties Distributors, LLC – Temporary Firework Tent – Morgan Route 202 Shops, LLC – Site Plan.
No one was present.
FX Caprara Import – Carolyn Pontiac Reconstruction Project – 19138 US Route 11 – Tax Map #91.05-1-61.2 – Site Plan.
A copy of the Jefferson County Department of Planning comments dated 4/26/17 was entered into record (Attachment #1).
Mike Lasell, MBL Engineering, submitted a site plan application, short SEQRA, NYS DOT approval for driveway cuts on US Route 11, a color rendering showing elevations, and updated plans for the FX Caprara Import reconstruction project at 19138 US Route 11.
Mr. Lasell reviewed the updated plans addressing concerns from the board at the April meeting. Discussion followed. The following comments were made:
$ An updated drawing showing the facade with the exact number of garage doors shown needs to be submitted
$ The board would like to see one additional handicap parking space added to the plans
$ A sidewalk to the adjacent Subway Restaurant needs to be cited on the plans
$ The buffer at the backside of the property needs to contain higher vegetative plantings and the specific type of plantings needs to be cited on the plans.
-4-
$ Check with the Town of Watertown Highway Superintendent regarding the proposed buffer/green space islands on Watertown Center Loop. The proposed landscaping needs to buffer the residences across the street. Plantings need to be specific on the plans. The Highway Superintendent also needs to sign off on the number of highway cuts allowed on Watertown Center Loop.
$ Contact the Town of Watertown Fire Department regarding a lock box.
$ Submit color drawing of proposed Signage and exact placement meeting all setback requirements.
$ Label display, employee & visitor parking on the plans.
$ Cite the pump station on the utility plan.
$ Specify if there are after hour dimmers on the dark sky compliant lights and if there will be any outdoor speakers used.
Mr. Lasell will come back to the June meeting with the information requested.
Fuccillo Subaru/Hyundai – 18352 US Route 11 – Tax Map #90.12-1-23.41 & 90.12-1-23.42 – Demolish existing building and construct new 23,800 square foot building – Site Plan.
Matt Morgia & Don Clark submitted updated plans for a new 23,800 square foot building for Fuccillo Automotive Group, 18352 US Route 11 – Tax Map #90.12-1-23.41 & 90.12-1-23.42 including a color rendering showing elevations, landscaping, lighting, lock box requirements, and the SWPPP which Mr. Vaas stated has been reviewed and is approved.
Proposed signage will be submitted at a later date as the specifics of two dealerships on the same sign needs to be designed.
The two parcels have been joined, however, the deed needs to be filed with the county as per the instruction on a letter from Roger Tibbetts, dated 4/17/17 (Attachment #2).
After researching the history, the cannot find the reason for the 30′ water right-of-way easement at the rear of the property. Discussion followed.
Motion 29-17: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. MacAdam to grant site plan approval for Subaru/Hyundai Dealership for Fuccillo Automotive Group, 18352 US Route 11, Tax Map #90.12-1-23.41 & 90.12-1-23.42 as shown on plans prepared by Aubertine & Currier and signed by Matthew Morgia, Project #2016-079, dated 5/8/17. This includes pages CS100, CG100, CU100, CL100, CP100, CS500, CS501, CS502, CU500, CU501 all dated 5/8/17 along with A200 and A201 dated 4/15/17, conditional upon submission of signed plans and proof that the two parcels have been joined under 1 description and filed with the county.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
UPS – 21171 NYS Route 12F – Tax Map #73.20-1-5 – Addition of Warehouse Space.
Ryan Kane presented proposed plans to add additional warehouse space for UPS at 21171 NYS Route 12F. The space will be 40′ x 10′. A representative met with Tom Boxberger and Pam Desormo in March and discussed attaching a package handling facility to the building as it is portable and movable. Discussion followed.
-5-
Motion 30-17: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. MacAdam to waive site plan review for the placement of a 40′ x 10′ PCP Package Handling Facility at the UPS Facility located at 21171 NYS Route 12F as it is only a 2% increase in warehouse size, there are no significant changes to the existing building, and it meets all zoning and setback requirements.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Mrs. Desormo asked that each board member review the current sign ordinance for possible changes. At the special meeting on June 5th, the floor will be opened for the public’s concerns and suggestions only. No decisions will be made at the meeting.
Mrs. Desormo will check to see if a representative from the Tug Hill Commission will be available to attend the special meeting.
Motion 31-17: Motion by Mr. MacAdam, seconded by Mr. Smith to adjourn the meeting at 9:01 p.m.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
____________
Susan Burdick
Secretary