Regular Meeting
Town of Watertown Planning Board
August 3, 2020
Members Present: Tom Boxberger, Co-Chair (via Zoom)
Pam Desormo, Co-Chair
Terry MacAdam
Jim Smith
Randy Vaas
Mrs. Desormo called the regular meeting of the Town of Watertown Planning Board to order at 3:00 p.m.
Motion 49-20: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Boxberger to reschedule the September meeting of the Town of Watertown Planning Board for Monday, September 14, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. due to the Labor Day Holiday.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Motion 50-20: Motion by Mr. Desormo, seconded by Mr. MacAdam to accept the minutes of the July 6, 2020 meeting as written and distributed.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
SIGN PERMIT
Spirit Halloween – 21182 Salmon Run Mall Loop West – Tax Map #82.11-1-50.21 – Temporary Signage.
Skye Valerio, from Spirit Halloween, presented proposed temporary signage at 21182 Salmon Run Mall Loop West (Former Bon Ton). Discussion followed.
Motion 51-20: Motion by Mr. Vaas, seconded by Mr. MacAdam to grant sign approval to Spirit Halloween for temporary signage from August 25, 2020 to November 15, 2020 as shown on plans prepared by
Hightech Signs, Pages 1-4, signed and dated 8/3/20.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Sunoco/7-Eleven – 21306 NYS Route 12F – Tax Map #82.08-1-18.2 – Sign Permit
Greg Fisher, Allied Sign Company presented proposed signage for Sunoco/7-Eleven at 21306 NYS Route 12F, Tax Map #82.08-1-18.2. Discussion followed.
Motion 52-20: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Smith to grant sign approval for 7-Eleven, 21306 NYS Route 12F, Tax Map #82.08-1-18.2 as shown on plans prepared by LSI Graphic Solutions, dated 3/25/20 with a final approval date of 4/1/20. These signs are replacement signs for the front, back, side panel and Pylon Sign. Signage will change from Sunoco/A-Plus to Sunoco/7-Eleven as shown on Sheets SP-1, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, B-5, and S-1, conditional upon submission of owner authorization.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
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Watertown Glass – DBA – Glass Doctor – (W & C, LLC Properties) – 18535 US Route 11- Tax Map #90.12-1-20.2 – Sign Permit.
A representative of Watertown Glass submitted proposed plans for a 18′ 5 x 4′ sign at 18535 US Route 11, Tax Map #91.12-1-20.2. Discussion followed.
Motion 53-20: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Smith to grant sign approval for Watertown Glass (DBA – Glass Doctor), 18535 US Route 11, Tax Map #91.12-1-20.2 as shown on plans prepared by Design Signs, dated 8/3/20, conditional upon submission of the application fee and zoning permit.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Cazenovia Equipment Company – 19970 Route 3 – Tax Map #
Mr. Lundy submitted a packet for four (4) signs on behalf of Cazenovia Equipment Company, 19970 NYS Route 3. Discussion followed.
Motion 54-20: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Vaas to grant sign approval for Cazenovia Equipment Company, 19970 NYS Route 3, as shown on plans prepared by Allied Sign Company, dated 8/3/20, consisting of Pages 1-4, showing signage for the Building on Page 1, two directional signs on Page 2, the Pylon Sign on Page 3, and signage located at the rear of the building on Page 4.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Hannaford Supermarket/Salmon Run Plaza, LLC – 21110 NYS Route 3 – Tax Map #82.11-1-72 – Hannaford-To-Go Sign.
Brandy Nelson, Tighe & Bond, via Zoom, gave the board a brief overview of Hannaford Supermarket’s plans for Hannaford To-Go-Parking at 21110 NYS Route 3, Tax Map #82.11-1-72. Discussion followed.
Motion 55-20: Motion by Mr. Boxberger, seconded by Mrs. Desormo to waive the sign review requirement for Hannaford-To-Go Parking as they are directional signs and not advertising signs and there are no parking concerns with regards to designated parking for expectant mothers and handicap parking specific to with the new To-Go-Parking.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
SUBDIVISION
Michael VanWormer – 19612 Hillside Drive – Tax Map #82.20-2-66 – 3 Lot Subdivision.
Tom Storino, Storino Geomatics, PLLC, on behalf of Michael VanWormer, presented plans for a 3 lot subdivision at 19612 Hillside Drive, Tax Map #82.20-2-66. Discussion followed.
$ The lot descriptions need to include that the owner is responsible for an on-site engineered sewer system.
$ The Town’s Highway Superintendent needs to be contacted regarding a highway cut.
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$ Mr. Lettiere needs to be contacted regarding the availability to hook up to water.
Motion 55-20: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Smith to schedule a public hearing for a 3 lot subdivision for Michael VanWormer, 19612 Hillside Drive, Tax Map #82.20-2-66 on Monday, September 14, 2020 at 3:00 p.m.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
SITE PLAN/SPECIAL USE PERMIT
Verizon Wireless “Spring Valley Drive” Communications Facility – 19079 US Route 11 – Tax Map #91.05-1-63 – Construction of a Cell Tower on Rent-A-Wreck Property.
A letter dated 7/29/20 from the Jefferson County Department of Planning was entered into record (Attachment #1).
Bill Horst, Young/Summer, LLC, on behalf of Verizon Wireless, was present. Mr. Horst reported that the two alternative sites the Board members asked about at the July meeting are out of the search area. Mr. Horst also reported that the Balloon Test was completed on Saturday, August 1, 2020 and the report is forthcoming.
Mr. Vaas stated that he arrived at the site where the Balloon Test was to be performed prior to 8:00 a.m. and there was no one there. He will wait to make comments after reviewing the Balloon Report. Mr. Vaas would like Verizon to review the comments raised by the Jefferson County Department of Planning in their review.
Mr. Horst asked that a public hearing be scheduled. Discussion followed.
Board members asked to expand notification of the public hearing to the City of Watertown along with adjacent property owners.
Motion 56-20: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. MacAdam to schedule a public hearing for Verizon Wireless “Spring Valley Drive” Communications Facility, 19079 US Route 11 (property of James R. Widrick, LLC) Tax Map #91.05-1-63 for the construction of a cell tower for Monday, September 14, 2020 at 3:00 p.m.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT
Ames Brother – 19059 US Route 11 – Tax Map #91.05-1-64/ Widrick Auto Sales – 19079 US Route 11 – Tax Map #91.05-1-63 – A lot line adjustment was previously approved on 3/2/20 but it did not get filed with the County Clerk. It needs to be re-approved.
The Board reviewed the lot line adjustment for Ames Brothers/Widrick Auto Sales that was previously approved on 3/2/20 but never got filed in Jefferson County due to COVID-19. There are no changes to the previously approved plans.
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Motion 57-20: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Smith to re-approve the lot line adjustment between Ames Brother, 19059 US Route 11, Tax Map #91.05-1-64 and Widrick Auto Sales, 19079 US Route 11, Tax Map #91.05-1-63 that was previously approved on 3/2/20 but was never filed in Jefferson County. The lot line adjustment removes .09 acres from the Ames Property and adds it to the Widrick Property as shown on plans drawn by Patsy Storino, dated 6/27/06 with a revision date of 2/14/20 and a copyright date of 10/23/97, File #97-166-Want. The descriptions have been reviewed.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Brian Gorman was present at the meeting and asked the Board what the procedure is to get an ordinance in place in the Town of Watertown, specifically regarding the proposed Boralex Solar Project.
The Board stated that they are in the process of presenting recommended guidelines for solar projects to the Town Board. Mr. Gorman asked that the Board put an urgency to this matter. Boralex has previously stated that they want to work with the Town on the proposed Solar Project and Mr. Gorman doesn’t think the Town should rely on Borax “goodwill” he would like to see guidelines in place.
Alaina Mallette, from the Tug Hill Commission will email Mr. Gorman a draft of the proposed recommendations. Mr. Gorman would like to share the email with his neighbors and get their input.
Motion 58-20: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. MacAdam to adjourn the meeting at 4:05 p.m.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
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Susan Burdick
Secretary