Regular Meeting
Town of Watertown Planning Board
October 5, 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.
Mrs. Desormo reminded board members that annual mandatory Sexual Harassment Training is being held Wednesday, October 21, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. at the Town of Watertown Municipal Building.
Motion 67-20: Motion by Mr. Boxberger, seconded by Mr. Smith to accept the minutes of the September 14, 2020 meeting as written and distributed.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Motion 68-20: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. MacAdam to schedule a workshop meeting with the Tug Hill Commission for Monday, November 2, 2020 at 4:00 p.m.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
PUBLIC HEARING – SUBDIVISION
20774 Coffeen Street Properties, LLC – Tax Map #82.07-1-7 – 2 Lot Subdivision
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. No one from the public wished to speak. The public hearing was closed at 3:07 p.m.
TI AG Park, LLC – 19970 NYS Route 3 – Tax Map #82.00-2-1 – 2 Lot Subdivision
Legal notice was posted in the newspaper and evidence was provided that adjacent property owners were notified.
The public hearing was opened at 3:07 p.m. No one from the public wished to speak. The public hearing was closed at 3:08 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING – SITE PLAN
Sundance Leisure – 19281 US Route 11 – Tax Map #91.05-1-7.3 – Construction of a 100′ x 36′ Cold Storage Unit – Site Plan
Legal notice was posted in the newspaper.
The public hearing was opened at 3:08 p.m. No one from the public wished to speak. The public hearing was closed at 3:09 p.m.
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SIGN PERMIT
BJA Watertown Real Estate, LLC – 18476 US Route 11 – Tax Map #91.12-1-21 – Sign Permit.
Greg Fishel, Allied Sign Company, on behalf of BJA Watertown Real Estate, LLC (Bob Johnson, formerly FX Caprara), presented proposed plans to replace signage due to new ownership. Discussion followed.
Motion 69-20: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Smith to approve the sign application for BJA Watertown Real Estate, LLC located at 18476 US Route 11, Tax Map #91.12-1-21 as shown on plans drawn by Principle, Plan E-4, Page 6 & 7, dated 10/5/20, signed by Greg Fishel.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT
Mike Romeo – 24353 Gotham Street Road – Tax Map #83.18-1-7 – Lot Line Adjustment.
No one was present.
SUBDIVISION
20774 Coffeen Street Properties, LLC – Tax Map #82.07-1-7 – 2 Lot Subdivision
Adam Storino, Storino Geomatics, PLLC, on behalf of 20774 Coffeen Street Properties, LLC, submitted updated plans and lot descriptions for a 2 lot subdivision on County Route 202. A highway cut has already been approved. Discussion followed.
Motion 70-20: Motion by Mr. MacAdam, seconded by Mr. Smith to grant a 2 lot subdivision for 20774 Coffeen Street Properties, LLC, Tax Map #82.07-1-7 as shown on plans prepared by Storino Geomatics, dated 9/18/20, File #2020-071, Drawing V101 1 of 1, signed by Adam Storino. Five acres on County Route 202 will be separated leaving the residual parcel approximately 87 acres, conditional upon satisfactory review of lot descriptions.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Mr. Vaas suggested that US Fish & Wildlife Service’s be contacted prior to site plan due to endangered species in the area.
TI AG Park, LLC – 19970 NYS Route 3 – Tax Map #82.00-2-2.1 -Amendment to Previously Approved Subdivision.
Howard Lyndaker, GYMO, reviewed paperwork for a lot line adjustment for Lot #8 and 2 lot subdivision of the residual 80 acre lot for TI AG Park, LLC, 19970 NYS Route 3, Tax Map #82.00-2-2.1. Discussion followed.
A Lot Line Adjustment application and Subdivision application with appropriate fees needs to be submitted.
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Motion 71-20: Motion by Mr. Boxberger, seconded by Mrs. Desormo to approve a lot line adjustment for TI AG Park, LLC, 19970 US Route 3, Tax Map #82.00-2-1, as shown on a subdivision plat of a portion of the lands of TI AG Park, LLC, prepared by GYMO, Project #2017-134E.06, dated 9/29/20 with an Issue date of 10/1/20. This will incorporate approximately 2 acres from the residual parcel into Lot #8 which creates a 7.37 parcel, conditional upon submission of a completed application and satisfactory review of lot descriptions.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Motion 72-20: Motion by Mr. Boxberger, seconded by Mrs. Desormo to grant a 2 lot subdivision for TI AG Park, LLC, 19970 NYS Route 3, Tax Map #82.00-2-1, as shown on a subdivision plat of a portion of the lands of TI AG Park, LLC, prepared by GYMO, Project #2017-134E-06, dated 9/29/20 with an Issue date of 10/1/20, creating Lot #9, 32.182 acre separated from the residual parcel Lot #8, conditional upon submission of a completed application and satisfactory review of lot descriptions.
Ayes All: motion Carried.
SITE PLAN
Sundance Leisure – 19281 US Route 11 – Tax Map #91.05-1-7.3 – Construction of a 100′ x 36′ Cold Storage Unit – Site Plan
Brian Fraiser, Sundance Leisure, reviewed plans for a 100′ x 36′ cold storage unit at Sundance Leisure, 19281 US Route 11. Discussion followed.
Comments from the Jefferson County Department of Planning dated 10/1/20 were entered into record (Attachment #1).
Mr. Fraiser needs to update the plans with a vegetative buffer plan to be planted in the Spring on the back lot line between the storage unit and neighboring resident.
Motion 73-20: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. MacAdam to grant site plan for Sundance Leisure, 19281 US Route 11, Tax Map #91.05-1-71.2 for a 100′ x 36′ cold storage unit as shown on a survey map drawn by Patsy Storino, dated 1/9/06 with the latest revision 6/22/06, File #05-101-Watn, conditional upon the developer, Brian Fraiser, drawing in the proposed structure and vegetative buffer plan on the survey map.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Samaritan Medical Center – Summit Drive – Tax Map #91.05-1-71.2 – 40′ x 14′ Temporary Storage Building for COVID Testing.
Christopher Bastien, Samaritan Medical Center, presented proposed plans for a 40′ x 14′ temporary storage building for COVID testing on Summit Drive.
The Department of Health approved a temporary drive up testing site in March and a party rental tent has been used for COVID testing. Now that winter is approaching, Samaritan needs a structure to accommodate winter weather and the proposed plans call for the use of a pre-built North Country Storage Barn. Discussion followed.
Mr. Vaas suggested that a CO Meter and smoke/ fire alarm be installed.
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Motion 74-20: Motion by Mr. Boxberger, seconded by Mrs. Desormo to waive site plan review for the installation of a pre-built 40′ x 14′ North Country Storage Barn for use as a testing facility for COVID 19 for Samaritan Medical Center, Summit Drive, Tax Map #91.05-1-71.2 as it will be a temporary structure for emergency purposes for COVID 19 testing, the structure is less than 5% of the existing structure, and will have a minimal impact on adjacent properties.
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.
Mrs. Desormo provided board members with new material submitted by Mr. Donato regarding his concerns with a cell tower being constructed at 19079 US Route. The materials include a petition which contains over 130 signatures with addresses.
Dave Brennan, Young/Sommer, LLC, was present and stated that he previously submitted a Health Safety Study regarding cell towers. Additionally, with respect to health concerns, Mr. Brennan stated that the Telecommunications Act prohibits state and local governments from denying cell towers based on health effects.
Mr. Boxberger asked Mr. Brennan what Verizon’s construction time table is? Mr. Brennan believed construction would begin in early 2021.
Mr. Boxberger stated that he would like more time to research and review the documentation before taking any action.
Mrs. Desormo agreed, with Mr. Boxberger, she would like additional time to review the paperwork. Discussion followed.
Mr. Brennan stated that he would like to know if the only basis for the petition is health concerns. Mrs. Desormo stated it addressed issues such as whether you live near, shop near, or work near, the proposed cell tower, also noise level, and if you believe it will lower your property value. She will email the newest information submitted by Mr. Donato to Mr. Brennan for his review.
Mr. Brennan stated that Verizon no longer has plans for a generator at the base of the cell tower. They will be using a back-up battery.
Mr. Brennan again stated that the Federal Government sets standards and if Verizon meets the standards, the planning board cannot deny this project.
Mr. MacAdam wants an additional month to review the paperwork. He would also like input from the Town Attorney on where the Planning Board stands on this matter.
Mr. Boxberger stated that the Planning Board has 60 days from the public hearing to take action.
Motion 75-20: Motion by Mr. MacAdam, seconded by Mr. Smith to adjourn the meeting at 4:26 p.m.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
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Susan Burdick
Secretary