Regular Meeting
Town of Watertown Planning Board
September 14, 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 59-20: Motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. MacAdam to accept the minutes of the August 3, 2020 meeting as written and distributed.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Motion 60-20: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Boxberger to schedule a workshop meeting with the Tug Hill Commission for Monday, October 5, 2020 at 4:00 p.m.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
PUBLIC HEARING – SUBDIVISION
Michael VanWormer – 19612 Hillside Drive – Tax Map #82.20-2-66 – 3 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 3:04 p.m. No one from the public wished to speak. The public hearing was closed at 3:04 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING – 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.
Legal notice was posted in the newspaper and evidence was provided that adjacent property owners were notified.
The public hearing was opened at 3:05 p.m.
$ Ed Donato 18973 Watertown Center Loop, read a letter he wrote regarding health concerns of cell towers (Attachment #1). When he learned of this proposed cell tower he did some research and the words radiation and cancer came up. Mr. Donato is very concerned with health issues from this proposed cell tower. Mr. Donato also submitted a petition with over 100 signatures of people opposed to this proposed cell tower (Attachment #2).
Mrs. Desormo told Mr. Donato that the petition he submitted should contain both names and addresses for the signers.
$ Scott Green, 25707 Freeman Creek Road, asked why a new cell tower is needed when there is one on the water tower on the Town of Watertown property.
$ Robert Johnson, 22773 Cornwell Lane, wants to know how this tower will be powered.
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$ A letter dated 9/4/20 from Anne Donato, 18973 County Route 165, was entered into record regarding health concerns to people from cell towers. She pointed out that this is a very populated area (Attachment #3).
The public hearing was closed at 3:10 p.m.
SUBDIVISION
Michael VanWormer – 19612 Hillside Drive – Tax Map #82.20-2-66 – 3 Lot Subdivision.
Adam Storino, Storino Geomatics, PLLC, on behalf of Michael VanWormer, presented updated plans for a 3 lot subdivision at 19612 Hillside Drive, Tax Map #82.20-2-66. Discussion followed.
Motion 61-20: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Smith to grant a 3 lot subdivision to Michael VanWormer, 19612 Hillside Drive, Tax Map #82.20-2-66 as shown on plans prepared by Thomas Storino, Storino Geomatics, dated 7/21/20, File # 2020-044, Drawing V101. Lot #1 will be .89 acre, Lot #2 will be .38 acre and Lot #3 will be .39 acre. All lots meet zoning requirements, conditional upon satisfactory review of lot descriptions.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
20774 Coffeen Street Properties, LLC – Tax Map #82.07-1-7 – 2 Lot Subdivision
Adam Storino, Storino Geomatics, PLLC, on behalf of Coffeen Street Properties, LLC, submitted a completed application for a 2 lot subdivision on County Route 202, Tax Map #82.07-1-7. The highway cut has been approved by the Jefferson County Highway Department (Attachment 4). The survey and lot descriptions are in the process of being updated and will be delivered upon completion. Discussion followed.
Motion 62-20: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Vaas to schedule a public hearing for a 2 lot subdivision on County Route 202 for 20774 Coffeen Street Properties, LLC, Tax Map #82.07-1-7 on Monday, October 5, 2020 at 3:00 p.m.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
TI AG Park, LLC – 19970 NYS Route 3 – Tax Map #82.00-2-2.1 -Amendment to Previously Approved Subdivision.
Pat Scordo and Howard Lyndaker, GYMO, and Mike Lundy were present. Mr. Scordo submitted an application for a subdivision modification and 2 lot subdivision along with SEQR short form.
Mr. Scordo stated that the Department of Transportation asked the developer to modify the driveway moving it west 40′. This changes the lot lines for both Lot #1 and Lot #2. Discussion followed.
Mr. Scordo also reviewed plans for a 2 lot subdivision of the residual 80 acre lot. Discussion followed.
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Motion 63-20: Motion by Mr. Vaas, seconded by Mrs. Desormo to approve a lot line adjustment for TI AG Park, LLC, 19970 NYS Route 3, Tax Map #82.00-2-1 for Lot #1, now being 1.48 acres and Lot #2, now being 2.009 acres as shown on plans prepared by GYMO, Sheet S101-A, with a revision date of 9/10/20, conditional upon satisfactory review of lot descriptions.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Motion 64-20: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. MacAdam to schedule a public hearing for TI AG Park, LLC, 19970 NYS Route 3, Tax Map #82.00-2-1 for a 2 lot subdivision on Monday, October 5, 2020 at 3:00 p.m.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
SITE PLAN
Sundance Leisure – 19281 US Route 11 – Tax Map #91.05-1-7.3 – Construction of a 36′ x 100′ Cold Storage Unit – Site Plan
Brian Fraiser, Sundance Leisure, submitted proposed plans to construct a 36′ x 100′ cold storage unit at Sundance Leisure, 19281 US Route 11. Discussion followed.
Motion 65-20: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Smith to schedule a public hearing for the construction of a 36′ x 100′ cold storage unit at Sundance Leisure, 19281 US Route 11 on Monday, October 5, 2020 at 3:00 p.m.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
This proposed project will be referred to the Jefferson County Department of Planning for review.
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.
David Brennan, Young/Summer, LLC, on behalf of Verizon Wireless, addressed concerns presented at the public hearing.
$ Mr. Brennan approached the Town Board regarding adding antennas on top of the Town Water tower. Due to many impediments, they were told it would not work and to look for a new location. Verizon also look into construction of the new tower on the fire departments land and were told that it is being used as a landing pad for LifeNet.
$ This proposed tower will be fed via underground wires connected to the existing National Grid power lines. It will also have an on-site back-up diesel generator.
$ With respect to heath concerns, in 1996 Congress passed the Telecommunications Act of 1996. One provision of this Act prohibits state and local governments from denying cell towers based on health effects.
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• With that being said, Mr. Brennan stated that Verizon is following all FCC regulations regarding what signal strength they can transmit at and are using less than 1% allowable. Mr. Brennan also submitted a study completed by a professional engineer regarding Mobil Tower Radiation (Attachment #5).
• Mr. Brennan also stated that cell towers are not new technology. They have been around since the 1970’s. This proposed tower will transmit at radio station frequency.
Mr. Brennan stated that the Jefferson County Department of Planning suggested a light be put on top of the tower. This recommendation has been submitted to the FCC who will conduct an analysis and make a decision on whether a light is needed.
Mr. Brennan stated that a FAA Form 7460-1 will be submitted as recommended by the Jefferson County Department of Planning.
Mr. Brennan asked if there were any more questions:
• Can other providers add antennas to this proposed tower?
Mr. Brennan stated yes they can. They will also have to provide their own substation.
• What will be the noise level of the generators?
Mr. Brennan stated that it is very low. He will submit a decibel noise level analysis.
• Board members wanted to know how far the proposed cell tower is from adjacent residents including the businesses and the housing development.
Mr. Brennan will gather the information for the Board.
The Board decided to table this proposed cell tower to allow Verizon to provide the additional information that has been requested.
Mr. Brennan stated that if the Board has any more questions, feel free to email him. He asked to be added to the Agenda for the October 5, 2020 meeting.
Mr. Donato stated that he believes we should look at “benefit vs risk”. He does not see any benefit (except maybe to the land owner who will be collecting rent) in allowing the proposed cell tower to be built in close proximity to businesses, residents, and a housing development. He finds it unbelievable that you can’t deny this matter due to health risk. He stated that this is a no “win situation”.
Mr. Brennan stated that the need for better coverage in the area is here. Verizon would not be asking for a new tower if it wasn’t. It will benefit businesses and residents who have expressed the need for better coverage.
Motion 66-20: Motion by Mr. MacAdam, seconded by Mr. Smith to adjourn the meeting at 4:25 p.m.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
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Susan Burdick
Secretary