Regular Meeting
Town of Watertown Planning Board
November 4, 2024
Members Present: Tom Boxberger, Co-Chair
Pam Desormo, Co-Chair
Jim Smith
Terry MacAdam
Jean Waterbury, Alternate
Members Excused: Randy Vaas
Mr. Boxberger called the regular November meeting of the Town of Watertown Planning Board to order at 3:00 p.m.
Jean Waterbury will be a voting member at today’s meeting due to Mr. Vaas’ absence.
Motion 77-24: Motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. MacAdam to accept the minutes of the October 7, 2024 meeting as written and distributed.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
PUBLIC HEARING – SUBDIVISION
Edward Escudero – County Route 65 – Tax Map #90.00-6-26.1 – 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 3:04 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
Young/Sommer, LLC – Verizon Wireless “Salmon Run” – 2005 NYS Route 3 – Tax Map #82.11-1-5.3
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 3:05 p.m.
National Grid – Upgrade Substation on the Corner of NYS Route 12F and Salmon Run Mall Road – Tax Map #82.11-1-5.3
Legal notice was posted in the newspaper.
The public hearing was opened at 3:06 p.m. No one from the public wished to speak. The public hearing was closed at 3:06 p.m.
CHANGE OF USE/SIGN PERMT
JMAC 2, LLC – 18841 US Route 11 – Tax Map #91.05-1-68 – Change of Use/Sign Permit.
Justin Pecori appeared before the Board regarding change of use for JMAC 2, LLC, on property located at 18841 US Route 11, Tax Map #91.05-1-68. This property will be used as an indoor turf practice facility. Discussion followed.
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Motion 78-24 Motion by Mr. Boxberger, seconded by Mr. Smith to waive site plan review for JMAC 2, LLC. This project is on property located at 18841 US Route 11, Tax Map #91.05-1-68. There will be no modification to the exterior of the building, there is adequate parking, and the use is in full compliance with the Town’s zoning requirements.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Mr. Pecori also submitted a completed sign application for JMAC 2, LLC located at 18841 US Route 11, Tax Map #91.05-1-68. Discussion followed.
The sign will have to be mounted on the building due to inability to meet set back requirements.
Motion 79-24: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. MacAdam to approve signage for JMAC 2, LLC, 18841 US Route 11, Tax Map #91.05-1-68 as shown on plans dated 11/4/24, Page 1 & 2.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
SUBDIVISION
Edward Escudero – County Route 65 – Tax Map #90.00-6-26.1 – 2 Lot Subdivision
Jeff Moore, Moore Land Surveying, P.C., on behalf of Edward Escudero, submitted updated plans and lot descriptions for a 2 lot subdivision for property located at County Route 65, Tax Map #90.00-6-26.1. Discussion followed.
Motion 80-24: Motion by Mr. MacAdam, seconded by Mr. Smith to approve a 2 lot subdivision for Edward Escudero, County Route 65 & Gillette Road, Tax Map #90.00-6-26.1 as shown on plans prepared by Moore Land surveying, P.C., dated 9/5/24 with no revisions, File #24-228. The two lots will consist of Lot # 1 being 24.90 acres and Lot #2 being 101 acres, conditional upon satisfactory review of lot descriptions.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT
Edward Escudero – County Route 65 – Lot Line Adjustment.
The Board also review proposed plans for a lot line adjustment for Edward Escudero. Due to the fact that there are two lot line adjustments, a new application with an additional fee needs to be submitted. Discussion followed.
Motion 81-24: Motion by Mr. MacAdam, seconded by Mr. Smith to approve two lot line adjustments for Edward Escudero, County Route 65. The first lot line adjustment will remove 45.64 acres from Tax Map #90.00-6-27.1 and add it to Tax Map #90.00-6-26.1. The second lot line adjustment will remove 4.4 acres from Tax Map #90.00-6-29.41 and add it to Tax Map #90.00-6-26.1. Tax Map #90.00-6-26.1 will now be approximately 75 acres as shown on a map prepared for Edward Escudero by Moore Land Surveying, P.C., dated 9/5/24, File #24-228. All parcel are owned by Edward Escudero, conditional upon satisfactory review of lot descriptions and submission of additional fees.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
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SITE PLAN/SPECIAL USE
Young/Sommer, LLC – Verizon Wireless “Salmon Run” – 20005 NYS Route 3 – Tax Map #82.11-1-5.3 – Site Plan/Special Use.
The Board reviewed the proposed plans to upgrade the antennas and equipment on the existing Town Water Tower located at 20005 NYS Route 3, Tax Map #82.11-1-5.3. Discussion followed.
Motion 82-24: Motion by Mr. Boxberger, seconded by Mrs. Waterbury to grant site plan approval/special use permit for Young Sommer, LLC – Verizon Wireless “Salmon Run”, for a project to replace existing transmission devices on property located at 20005 NYS Route 3, Tax Map #82.11-1-5.3 as shown on Drawing G-001, C-100, C-201, C-501 & C-502, all with a final revision date of 7/12/24, prepared by C & S Companies. There will be no change to the elevation below the top of the water tower and no increase in bearing weight, conditional upon satisfactory review of environmental assessment forms by Mr. Vaas.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
SITE PLAN
National Grid – Upgrade Substation on the Corner of NYS Route 12F and Salmon Run Mall Road – Site Plan
A representative from Barclay Damon, on behalf of Niagara Mohawk Power Corp. d/b/a National Grid, stated that the SWPPP and EAF has been submitted to Mr. Vaas. They have also been in contact with both the New York State DOT and Town of Watertown Highway Superintendent regarding highway cuts. They were advised to get approval from the Planning Board, and then check back for highway cut approvals. Discussion followed.
The Board discussed the lack of dark sky compliant lighting and vegetational plantings on the plans.
The Substation Engineer answered their questions and the Board is satisfied with the answers.
Motion 83-24: Motion by Mrs. Waterbury, seconded by Mr. Smith to grant site plan/special use permit for the National Grid substation upgrade located on the corner of NYS Route 12F and Salmon Run Mall Road as shown on plans prepared by National Grid, dated 10/4/24, Project #418451, Drawing 00031, 00032, 00033, 00037, 00038, 00039, & 00040, conditional upon satisfactory review of required documentation for environmental quality review and SPDES information by Mr. Vaas.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
EV Charging Station – 19210 Cady Road – Tax Map #90.18-1-21 – Site Plan
No one was present.
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Mike Lundy appeared before the Board regarding the zone change process.
Mr. Lundy decided it would be best to submit his requests to both the Town of Watertown Planning Board and the Town Board at their December meetings. Discussion followed.
The Board stated that their role would be to review the request and make recommendation to the Town Board. The Town Board is the governing body to decide zone changes.
The Board suggested that an informal sketch plan meeting be scheduled with two members of each board prior to the December meeting to discuss this request.
Motion 84-24: Motion by Mr. MacAdam, seconded by Mr. Smith to adjourn the meeting at 4:05 p.m.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
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Susan Burdick
Secretary