Regular Meeting
Town of Watertown Planning Board
December 8, 2021
Members Present: Tom Boxberger, Co-Chair
Pam Desormo, Co-Chair
Terry MacAdam
Randy Vaas
Jim Smith
Mr. Boxberger called the reschedule December meeting of the Town of Watertown Planning Board to order at 3:00 p.m.
Motion 90-21: Motion by Mr. MacAdam, seconded by Mr. Smith to accept the minutes of the November 1, 2021 meeting as written and distributed.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
PUBLIC HEARING – SUBDIVISION
Jon Vespa/Michael Moran – E. Gotham Street – Tax Map #91.07-1-9 – 2 Lot Subdivision
Legal notice was published in the newspaper and evidence was provided that adjacent property owners were notified.
The public hearing was opened at 3:04 p.m. No one from the public wished to speak. The public hearing was closed at 3:05 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING – SITE PLAN/SPECIAL USE PERMIT
Mark Catalina/Watertown Renewable, LLC & Watertown Renewable 2, LLC – 22088 County Route 60 – Tax Map #82.07-1-2.1 – Site Plan/Special Use Permit for Solar Panels by Nexamp, Inc.
Legal notice was posted in the newspaper and evidence was provided that adjacent property owners were notified.
The public hearing was opened at 3:06 p.m.
There were several adjacent property owners who wished to speak.
The Board allowed Dalles Mason from Nexamp, Inc. to give a summary of the proposed project for the adjacent property owners.
# Cynthia Graham, 19963 NYS Route 12F, asked if there was material that she could take home to review. Ms. Graham stated that she is in favor of this proposed project.
# Joe Meyer, 22129 County Route 60, asked the following questions:
$ What type of screening will be used on the western edge of the project.
It will be 6′-8′ White Spruce in staggered rows.
$ How will the panels be cleaned? He wants to know what kind of water source will be used and wants to make sure that the creek will not be disturbed.
The panels will not be cleaned. There will be no disturbance of the creek.
-2-
$ How are the panels getting to the property? Are any roads being built?
Access will be from Mr. Catalina’s property. There are no plans to building any road.
$ If the business goes under, what happens to the solar panels.
Upon final approval, an Operation and Maintenance Agreement along with a Decommission Plan with a Bond for the life of the project is submitted to the Town.
$ Will there be any further expansion of the project?
Any further expansion would have to go before the Town of Watertown Planning Board. There are no plans for expansion at this time.
Mr. Meyer stated that his main concern was use of water, especially if it was used for maintenance of the panels as the quality and quantity of the water in the area is poor.
He stated that he is disappointed in the process the Town used for the project.
He was never notified that the Town Board re-zoned the property to make this project happen as adjacent property owners were never notified. Legal notice was posted in the newspaper and most people don’t read the local paper.
Mr. Meyer also stated that the Town’s website is not updated on a regular basis for Town people to get current information.
He stated that he is opposed to this proposed project.
The public hearing was closed at 3:38 p.m.
LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT
Mike Converse – 20800 Hadcock Road – Tax Map #83.16-1-2.25/Ted Clement – Hadcock Road – Tax Map #83.16-1-2.21 – Lot Line Adjustment
All paperwork was not complete and this project will be added to the January 2022 Planning Board agenda.
SUBDIVISION
Jon Vespa/Michael Moran – E. Gotham Street – Tax Map #91.07-1-9 – 2 Lot Subdivision
The Board reviewed the plans for a 2 lot subdivision for Jon Vespa/Michael Moran, E. Gotham Street, Tax Map #91.07-1-9. Discussion followed.
Motion 91-21: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Smith to grant a 2 lot subdivision for Jon Vespa/Michael Moran on E. Gotham Street, Tax Map #91.07-1-9. One lot will consist of 2.026 acres and the residual parcel will be 51.374 acres as shown on plans prepared by Patsy A. Storino Professional Land Surveyor, and signed by Scott Kolb, dated 10/20/21, with a survey date of 9/29/21, Drawing #1, File #21-54-Watn(T), conditional upon satisfactory review of lot descriptions.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
-3-
SITE PLAN
Mark Catalina/Watertown Renewable, LLC & Watertown Renewable 2, LLC – 22088 County Route 60, Tax Map #82.07-1-2.1 – Site Plan for Solar Panels by Nexamp, Inc.
Mr. Vaas stated there are no objections to the Town of Watertown Planning Board being Lead Agency on this proposed project.
Motion 92-21: Motion by Mr. Vaas, seconded by Mr. MacAdam to affirm that the Town of Watertown Planning Board be Lead Agency for the solar project for Watertown Renewable, LLC and Watertown Renewable 2, LLC located on Mark Catalina property, 22088 County Route 60, Tax Map #82.07-1-2.1
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
After review of Part II documents, Mr. Vaas stated that there are no significant issue.
Motion 93-21: Motion by Mr. Vaas, seconded by Mr. Boxberger to accept the Negative Declaration for the proposed Solar Project by Watertown Renewable, LLC and Watertown Renewable 2, LLC as there are no significant issues pertaining to the proposed project.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
The comments from the Jefferson County Department of Planning were submitted (Attachment #1).
$ An updated SWPPP has been submitted.
$ Notice of Intent has not been submitted.
$ Copies of Jefferson County Highway Driveway Permits need to be submitted.
$ Copies of easements for the power lines from the project site to the connection on County Route 202 need to be submitted.
Motion 94-21: Motion by Mr. Boxberger, seconded by Mr. Smith to grant site plan/special use permit approval to Watertown Renewable, LLC & Watertown Renewable 2, LLC located at 22088 County Route 60, Tax Map #82.07-1-2.1 for the Solar Energy Project as shown on plans prepared by Crawford & Associates, dated 5/3/21, with a revision date of 10/20/21, and a final revision date of 12/6/21, consisting of Page C-100, C-101, C-102, C-103, C-104, C-105 & C-106 all with the same dates as above, conditional upon submission of all required permits, approvals, provisional easements, and the application fee.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
A Zoning Permit will be required from the Town and Building Permit from the County.
-4-
Tnara Route 3, LLC – 20485 NYS Route 3 – Tax Map #82.11-1-36 – Construction of Sea Comm Credit Union – Site Plan.
Matthew Morgia, Aubertine & Currier and representatives from Sea Comm reviewed an updated summary addressing comments from the November 1, 2021 Planning Board meeting (Attachment #2). Discussion followed.
This project is conditional on the subdivided road parcel being deeded to the Town. Final approval will not be given until this has been completed.
A color rendering of the proposed building needs to be submitted.
Motion 95-21: Motion by Mr. Boxberger, seconded by Mr. Smith to schedule a public hearing for the construction of a Sea Comm Credit Unit for Tnara Route 3, LLC, 20485 NYS Route 3 for Monday, January 3, 2022 at 3:00 p.m.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
This matter is being referred to the Jefferson County Department of Planning for their review.
LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT
TI AG Park, LLC – Alexander Drive – Tax Map #82.00-1-1.5/82.00-1-1.1 – Lot #8 & Lot #9 – Lot Line Adjustment.
Mike Lundy presented proposed plans for a lot line adjustment on Alexander Drive, Tax Map #82.00-1-1.5/82.00-1-1.1 – Lot #8 & Lot #9. The site plan was previously approved on 9/7/2021. The new plans are for a bigger building; therefore, the lot line adjustment is needed. Discussion followed.
Mr. Lundy will come back at the January meeting with updated plans as the current plans will create a non-conforming lot.
SITE PLAN
TI AG Park, LLC – Alexander Drive – Tax Map #82.00-1-1.5 – Site Plan
Mr. Lundy presented revised site plans for CWT Hatchery on Lot #8. The original site plan approval was granted 9/7/2021. The original building was 28,000 square feet and the new plans are for a 48,480 square foot building. Discussion followed.
Elevation plans and the traffic flow plans will remain the same as the original plans.
An updated SWPPP will be submitted.
This new site plan needs to be sent back to the Jefferson County Department of Planning for their review. Mr. Lundy will prepare a new package for the County and include a narrative for the modifications of the previously approved site plan.
Motion 96-21: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Boxberger to schedule a public hearing for site plan for Lot #8 in the TI AG Park, LLC, Alexander Drive for Monday, January 3, 2022 at 3:00 p.m.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
-5-
Motion 97-21: Motion by Mr. Boxberger, seconded by Mr. Vaas to grant conditional site plan approval to the modification of the previously approved site plan from 9/7/21 for the CWT Hatchery located on Lot #8 in the TI Ag Park on Alexander Drive, Tax Map #82.00-1-1.5. This approval is conditional upon review of any comments by the Jefferson County Department of Planning approval, the Lot Line Adjustment approval necessary to expand the footprint of Lot #8. Final review and approval will include details on all sheets, plats, and plans as part of the motion and approval.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
SIGN PERMIT
Kohl’s/Sephora – 21850 Towne Center Drive – Tax Map #82.00-2-3.4 – Sign Permit.
The Board reviewed proposed signage submitted by Kohl’s for a Sephora sign on the face of their building located at 21850 Towne Center Drive, Tax Map #82.00-2-3.4. Discussion followed.
Motion 98-21: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Boxberger to grant sign approval to Kohl’s 21850 Towne Center Drive, Tax Map #82.00-2-3.4 for a Sephora sign as shown on plans prepared by AGI, dated 8/11/21, consisting of 9 pages. Signs included are on the store front and monument pylon at the entrance to the plaza.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
SITE PLAN
Stewart’s Shop – 23858/864 NYS Route 126 – Tax Map #83.15-3-14 – Construction of a 6′ x 14′ three-sided overhang on the building to store equipment.
The comments from the Jefferson County Department of Planning dated 11/30/21 were entered into record (Attachment #3)
Stewart’s Shop was granted a side setback variance at 16′ of the required 20′ by the Town of Watertown Zoning Board of Appeal on Monday, December 6, 2021 for the construction of a 6′ x 14′ three-sided overhang on the building to store equipment. Discussion followed.
Motion 99-21: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Boxberger to waive site plan review for Stewart’s Shop, 23858/864 NYS Route 126, Tax Map #83.15-3-14 as the size of the three-sided overhang is minor in size and has previously been reviewed by the Town of Watertown Zoning Board of Appeals at a public hearing on December 6, 2021 and no members of the public objected to this project.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Motion 100-21: Motion by Mr. MacAdam, seconded by Mr. Boxberger to adjourn the meeting at 4:50 p.m.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
___________
Susan Burdick
Secretary