Regular Meeting
Town of Watertown Planning Board
January 4, 2023
Members Present: Tom Boxberger, Co-Chair
Pam Desormo, Co-Chair
Jim Smith
Randy Vaas
Jean Waterbury, Alternate
Members Absent: Terry MacAdam
Jean Waterbury will be a voting member at this meeting due to Mr. MacAdams’ absence.
Mr. Boxberger called the rescheduled regular January meeting of the Town of Watertown Planning Board to order at 3:00 p.m.
Motion 1-23: Motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mrs. Waterbury to accept the minutes of the December 7, 2022 meeting as corrected.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
PUBLIC HEARING – SITE PLAN
Washington Summit Associates, Inc. – AAA Building Relocation to Lot #7 – 22708 Summit Drive – Tax Map #91.05-1-72 – Site Plan.
Legal notice was posted in the newspaper.
It was determined that this public hearing is not necessary, however, since it was posted, the Board proceeded with the hearing.
The public hearing was opened at 3:06 p.m. No one from the public wished to speak. The public hearing was closed at 3:07 p.m.
SIGN PERMIT
Innovative Tinting Solutions – 18849 US Route 11, Suite D – Tax Map #91.09-1-8.21 – Sign Permit.
Randre Allen, Innovative Tinting Solutions, presented proposed signage for 18849 US Route 11, Suite D. This business is located in the rear of the building. If the proposed signage is placed at the 15′ setback from right-of-way, as required, it will not be visible to passing motorist. Discussion followed.
Mr. Allen has a unique situation as this is an existing building but because the store is in the rear of the building, it is not visible from the road. There is no place for a monument-style sign out front to be visible with the setback required by zoning. This also creates a financial hardship to Mr. Allen as he cannot advertise the location of his business.
Mr. Allen needs to submit plans showing dimensions/color of the proposed monument-style sign with a planter base. These plans need to include the exact location of the sign on the plans and provide justification for the variance request. It is very important that the plans demonstrate to the Zoning Board of Appeals that the proposed sign is not impairing motorist visibility and should include a minor setback of a couple feet. If possible, submit a picture of the building so the ZBA members get a good idea of the situation.
The consensus of the Board is that they cannot take any action on this matter and Mr. Allen must go before the Town of Watertown Zoning Board of Appeal to request a variance of the front setback requirements.
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The Town of Watertown Zoning Board of Appeals meets on Monday, January 9, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. An application for a variance needs to be completed and submitted with the proposed signage plans.
SITE PLAN
Washington Summit Associates, Inc. – AAA Building Relocation to Lot #7 – 22708 Summit Drive – Tax Map #91.05-1-72 – Site Plan.
The original site plan was approved in June of 2022. Nothing has been done. The Board was approached again in December of 2022 for an extension. Discussion followed.
Motion 2-23: Motion by Mr. Boxberger, seconded by Mr. Smith to grant a six month extension to Washington Summit Associates, Inc. for the AAA relocation to Lot #7 at 22708 Summit Drive, Tax Map #91.05-1-72 as Mr. Lundy approached the Board in December for this request.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Lunco Corporation – CWT Hatchery – T I Ag Park – Lot #8 – Alexander Drive – Tax Map #82.00-1-1.5 – Site Plan
Mrs. Desormo stated that site plan approved for CWT Hatchery was granted on 9/7/22 in Motion 99-22 and the final revision date of the plans was 6/22/22. Construction plans were submitted for signature and signed on 12/12/22 and were dated 10/4/22. Normally construction plans are not submitted, however, since they were, she inquired how would the Board like to handle the dates being different on the plans? Discussion followed.
Motion 3-2: Motion by Mr. Boxberger, seconded by Mrs. Desormo to have the file reflect that the construction plans are placed in the file but will have no barring on the original site plan approval on Motion 99-22 from 9/7/22.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Motion 4-23: Motion by Mrs. Waterbury, seconded by Mr. Smith to adjourn the meeting at 3:30 p.m.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
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Susan Burdick
Secretary