Regular Meeting
Town of Watertown Planning Board
January 3, 2022
Members Present: Tom Boxberger, Co-Chair
Pam Desormo, Co-Chair
Terry MacAdam
Randy Vaas
Jim Smith
Mr. Boxberger called the regular meeting of the Town of Watertown Planning Board to order at 3:00 p.m.
Motion 1-22: Motion by Mr. MacAdam, seconded by Mr. Smith to accept the minutes of the December 8, 2021 meeting as written and distributed.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Motion 2-22: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Boxberger to schedule all regular monthly meetings of the Town of Watertown Planning Board for the first Monday of the month at 3:00 p.m. provided that it is not a holiday.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
PUBLIC HEARING – SITE PLAN
Tnara Route 3, LLC – 20485 NYS Route 3 – Tax Map #82.11-1-36 – Construction of Sea Comm Credit Union – Site Plan.
Legal notice was published in the newspaper.
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.
TI AG Park, LLC – Alexander Drive – Tax Map #82.00-1-1.5 – Lot #8 – Site Plan.
Legal notice was posted in the newspaper.
The public hearing was opened at 3:05 p.m. No one from the public wished to speak. The public hearing was closed at 3:06 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
Ted Clement submitted proposed plans for a lot line adjustment for Tax Map #83.16-1-2.25 & Tax Map #83.16-1-2.21 on Hadcock Road. Discussion followed.
There are no changes in road frontage or any other significant issues.
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Motion 3-22: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Smith to approve a lot line adjustment for Mike Converse, 20800 Hadcock Road, Tax Map #83.16-1-2.25 and Ted Clement, Hadcock Road, Tax Map #83.16-1-2.21 conveying 2.714 acres from Tax Map #83.16-1-2.25, Lot A to Tax Map #83.16-1-2.21, Lot B, making Lot B 5.109 acres as shown on plans prepared by William F. Dorr, dated 12/1/21, File # 21-27, with a survey date of 11/19/21 & 11/24/21, conditional upon satisfactory review of lot descriptions.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
SITE PLAN
Tnara Route 3, LLC – 20485 NYS Route 3 – Tax Map #82.11-1-36 – Construction of Sea Comm Credit Union – Site Plan.
The comments from the Jefferson County Department of Planning dated 12/29/21 were entered into record (Attachment #1).
The Board addressed the following:
$ The Board would like to see a sidewalk along NYS Route 3 connecting to future adjacent businesses. Discussion followed.
The developer stated it would be easier to do it at construction. Updated plans showing the sidewalk will be submitted.
$ A landscaped buffer of 35 to 50 feet wide is required at the front lot line, according to the NC District Design Guidelines. Discussion followed.
Mr. Boxberger read the following statement:
The Town of Watertown Planning Board hereby chooses to waive the setback and screening requirements set forth in Section 107-49A and 107-49B as the requirements are not consistent with other commercial properties on NYS Route 3 in the neighborhood and the requirements would present undue hardship on the developer in trying to meeting the requirement on an existing lot. This waiver is made under the provisions of Section 107-43G, as requirements are not to be requisite in the interest of public health, safety & welfare.
Motion 4-22: Motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Vaas to waive the requirements as specified by the above statement read on record.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Motion 5-22: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Boxberger to approve site plan for Tnara Route 3, LLC, 20485 NYS Route 3, Tax Map #82.11-1-36 for the construction of Sea Comm Credit Union as shown on plans CP100 & C100 prepared by Aubertine & Currier, Project #2021-123 with a latest revision date of 12/6/21, plans A200, A201, A202, A203 prepared by PW Cambell, Project #S221113, dated 11/11/21, and an undated color rendering also prepared by PW Cambell, conditional upon construction of the sidewalk along NYS Route 3 after the placement of the sewer line and submission of a revised drawing showing the sidewalk.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
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Drop Zone Storage – County Route 202 – Tax Map #82.07-1-7.3 – Office & Storage Unit Facility – Site Plan.
Gary Bass, Drop Zone Storage, presented preliminary plans for a storage unit facility and an office on County Route 202, Tax Map #82.07-1-7.3. Discussion followed.
The driveway cut has already been approved.
Mr. Bass needs to submit the following:
$ A completed application with appropriate fees.
$ A Notice of Intent & SWPPP needs to be submitted to the NYS Department of Environment Conversation.
$ The plans needs to include screening/buffer along property lines of adjacent parcels.
$ An elevation/color rendering drawing of the office and proposed storage units needs to be submitted.
$ Exact placement of the office and storage units needs to be cited on the plans meeting all setback requirements.
$ A lighting plan needs to be submitted (Dark Sky Compliant).
$ Proposed signage.
$ Crusher-run walkway on County Route 202 for pedestrian travel needs to be cited on the plans.
Mr. Bass will return to the February meeting with all information requested.
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 a modified lot line adjustment for Lot #8 & Lot #9 in the TI AG Park, Alexander Drive, Tax Map #82.00-1-1.5/82.00-1-1.1. Discussion followed.
An application with appropriate fees needs to be submitted.
Motion 6-22: Motion by Mr. MacAdam, seconded by Mr. Smith to approve a lot line adjustment for Lot #8 & Lot #9 on Alexander Drive in the TI AG Park, Tax Map #82.00-1-1.5/82.00-1-1.1 removing 1.37 acres from Lot #8 making it 6 acres and adding it to Lot #9 making it 34.183 acres as shown on plans prepared by GYMO, S101-B, Project #2017-134E.06, dated 9/29/20, conditional upon submission of an updated signed and stamped survey, a completed application with fees, and satisfactory review of lot descriptions.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
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SITE PLAN
TI AG Park, LLC – Alexander Drive – Tax Map #82.00-1-1.5 – Lot #8 – Site Plan
The comments from the Jefferson County Department of Planning, dated 12/29/21 were entered into record (Attachment #2).
Mike Lundy reviewed updated plans for a 48,480 square foot building for CWT Hatchery on Lot #8 in the TI AG Park, Alexander Drive. Discussion followed.
$ The Board decided that this proposed business be considered as Light Manufacturing as there is no proposed “raising” of the hatchlings, but rather they are shipped out to other facilities to “raise” them.
$ The driveway has already been deeded to the Town.
$ A schematic plan of lighting will be submitted.
$ The vegetative buffer already exists and will be citing on the plans.
$ A new SEQR will be submitted.
$ There is no proposed signage at this time.
$ The screening/buffer on the property line for Eagle Beverage needs to be increased.
It was decided to move the proposed building 40 feet to the west to allow better access for tractor trailers. Discussion followed.
The following determination was made by the Board in the form of a motion regarding relocating the building 40 feet to the west.
Motion 7-22: Motion by Mr. Boxberger, seconded by Mr. Smith that relocating the building 40 feet to the west would not constitute any major change to the plat that was previously submitted and conditionally approved on 12/8/21.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Motion 8-22: Motion by Mr. Boxberger, seconded by Mr. MacAdam to approve a revised site plan for CWT Hatchery, located on Lot #8 in the TI AG Park on Alexander Drive, Tax Map #82.00-1-1.5 that was conditionally approved on 12/8/21 with the exception that the building and tractor trailer turn around can be moved approximately 40 feet to the west, conditional upon a revised plat being submitted showing the relocation of the building and tractor trailer turn around, citing the native vegetation on the property line, submission of a Dark Sky Compliant lighting plan, and increasing the vegetation on the property line with Eagle Beverage.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
The revised SEQR needs to be submitted to the IDA.
At the next meeting, the Board will reference the revised plans regarding the above motion.
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Metalcraft Marine U.S., Inc. – 22620 Fisher Road – Tax Map #73.20-1-10.52 – Construction of two 20′ x 40′ x 13.7′ Storage Buildings – Site Plan.
This proposed project began without Planning Board approval and the Zoning Officer of the Town of Watertown issued a Stop Work Order.
No one from Metalcraft Marine was present. The Board reviewed the proposed plans that were submitted. Discussion followed.
This proposed project needs to be submitted to the JCIDA for their comments.
The Board would not take any action on this proposed project as the following information needs to be submitted:
$ An elevation drawing
$ A drawing of proposed storage buildings
$ A plat showing the exact location of the proposed buildings meeting all setback requirements
$ A SEQR & details of total disturbance, etc.
The Board had many questions that could not be answered and would like a representative from Metalcraft Marine present at the next meeting to answer questions.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Board members were asked to review the code book as some codes need to be tweaked.
Mr. Boxberger also discussed appointing an alternate board member who will be paid. An alternate has been approved by the Town Board, however, no one has been selected and no discussion has taken place on paying the alternate. He will talk with the Tug Hill Commission to see if this is permissible and then talk to the Town Board.
Motion 9-22: Motion by Mr. MacAdam, seconded by Mr. Boxberger to adjourn the meeting at 4:50 p.m.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
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Susan Burdick
Secretary