Regular Meeting
Town of Watertown Planning Board
October 2, 2023
Members Present: Tom Boxberger, Co-Chair
Pam Desormo, Co-Chair
Jim Smith
Randy Vaas
Jean Waterbury, Alternate
Members Excused: Terry MacAdam
Mr. Boxberger called the regular October meeting of the Town of Watertown Planning Board to order at 3:00 p.m.
Mr. MacAdam has been excused. Jean Waterbury will be a voting member.
Motion 85-23: Motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Vaas to accept the minutes from the September 11, 2023 meeting as written and distributed.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
PUBLIC HEARING – SUBDIVISION
Tracy Edger – 24922 NYS Route 12 – Tax Map #91.07-1-20.1 – 2 Lot Subdivision.
Evidence was provided that legal notice was posted in the newspaper and that adjacent property owners were notified.
The public hearing was opened at 3:02 p.m.
$ Maureen Lundy-Way – 24654 Gotham Street Road
$ Jan Turcotte – 24522 Gotham Street Road
Both Ms. Lundy-Way and Ms. Turcotte asked to review the proposed plans for a 2 lot subdivision. Mr. Storino explained the proposed plans.
Ms. Turcotte expressed concerns with development due to a ponds which control the flow to a creeks on her property and her neighbors property. The pond became contaminated several years ago. The contamination affected the ground water and drinking water of one of the adjacent property owners. Also, if the outflow of the pond gets obstructed, it floods her property. She is also very concerned with development and would also like to know where the new development will get their water.
Ms. Lundy-Way also expressed concerns with development. She stated that the pond also feed a creek on her property which has dried up. She stated that somehow the pipes have been disconnected from the pond. She would like to know who to contact to find out why the pipes have been disconnected.
Both Ms. Lundy-Way and Ms. Turcotte are also concerned with a dog kennel/shelter which is to the rear of 24922 NYS Route 12. This dog shelter/kennel is a big nuisance. Dogs are barking non stop.
Mr. Boxberger stated that the Planning Board can not address any issue with the dog kennel/shelter, this is a public hearing for a 2 lot subdivision.
Any problems regarding the dog kennel/shelter needs to be addressed with the Town of Watertown Code Enforcement Officer.
The public hearing was closed at 3:12 p.m.
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PUBLIC HEARING – SITE PLAN
Cala Morgia – 18590 County Route 65 – Tax Map #90.00-6-25.5 – Continuation of Public hearing for the Construction of a 1,600 Square Foot Building for a Dog Kennel – Site Plan
The public hearing was re-opened at 3:13 p.m.
$ Christen Roderick, 18511 County Route 65, stated that under site plan regulations, it is clear that buffer is required along the property line, however, there is not a clear definition of what type of buffer is required in R1.
Mr. Boxberger stated that the Board will address the buffer requirements under site plan review.
The public hearing was closed at 3:14 p.m.
SIGN PERMIT
J C Penney – 21017 Salmon Run Mall – Tax Map #82.11-1-50.21 – Sign Permit
Greg Fishel, Allied Signs, on behalf of J C Penney, submitted a completed application and proposed signage for J C Penney, 21017 Salmon Run Mall, Tax Map #82.11-1-50.21. J C Penney will be replacing internally illuminated channel letters on the south and east exterior of the building. Discussion followed.
Motion 86-23: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Smith to approve the sign application for J C Penney, 21017 Salmon Run Mall, Tax Map #82.11-1-50.21. J C Penney will be replacing the channel letters on the exterior of the building facing South and East as shown on plans prepared by Apex Sign Group, dated 8/28/23, Project ID# 135153, Plans A & B, Pages 1, 2, 3 & 5.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
JS Styling – 18890 US Route 11 – Tax Map #91.09-1-8.1 – Sign Permit
No one was present.
SUBDIVISION
Tracy Edger – 24922 NYS Route 12 – Tax Map #91.07-1-20.1 – 2 Lot Subdivision
Patsy Storino, on behalf of Tracy Edger, presented updated plans and lot descriptions for a 2 lot subdivision at 24922 NYS Route 12, Tax Map #91.07-1-20.1. Discussion followed.
Motion 87-23: Motion by Mr. Vaas, seconded by Mr. Smith to grant a 2 lot subdivision for Tracy Edger, 24922 NYS Route 12, Tax Map #91.07-1-20.1 as shown on plans prepared by Patsy Storino, Professional Land Surveyor, dated 1/29/2020, with a revision date of 9/28/23, File # 08-041A-Watn., Drawing #1, conditional upon satisfactory review of lot descriptions and that if any residential development on the property occurs, the property owner is required to provide due diligence to ensure drainage to and from the property is not negatively impacted.
Ayes – 1
Abstention – 1
Motion Carried.
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SITE PLAN
Widrick Auto Sales – 19079 US Route 11 – Tax Map #91.05-1-63 – Construction of a 28′ x 45′ Addition – Site Plan.
A representative for Widrick Auto Sales presented preliminary plans for the construction of a 28′ x 45′ addition to the southwest side of the existing repair shop/car wash building at 19079 US Route 11, Tax Map 91.05-1-63. Widrick’s want to build the addition as the detail shop and the repair shop are in the same building and need to be separated. Discussion followed.
An updated plat needs to be submitted showing the exact placement of the addition meeting all setback requirements, a color rendering of the proposed addition needs to be submitted, and the updated plans needs to reflect where the fire lane is.
Patsy Storino was also present at the meeting and stated that he believes that he has an updated survey map of all buildings on the property at 19079 US Route 11.
The representative will have Mr. Widrick contact Mr. Storino for the updated plans and they will come back to the November meeting.
T-Mobil – 19079 US Route 11 – Tax Map #91.05-1-63 – Collate Equipment on Existing Tower – Site Plan/Special Use
Doug Morrison, Pyramid, on behalf of T-Mobil, presented proposed plans to build at 10′ x 15′ concrete pad for ground equipment and add 9 antennas and 6 radio heads to a tower on property located at 19079 US Route 11, Tax Map #91.05-1-63. There will be no changes to the elevation of the existing tower. Discussion followed.
The address on the application needs to be changed to 19079 US Route 11. A short SEQR needs to be submitted.
Motion 88-23: Motion by Mr. Boxberger, seconded by Mr. Vaas to scheduled a public hearing for T-Mobil, for site plan/special use to collate equipment on the existing tower and construct a 10′ x 15′ concrete pad on property located at 19079 US Route 11, Tax Map #91.05-1-63, conditional upon submission of a short SEQR and corrected application prior to October 18, 2023.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Cala Morgia – 18590 County Route 65 – Tax Map #90.00-6-25.5 – Construction of a 1,600 Square Foot Building for a Dog Kennel – Site Plan.
Cala Morgia submitted updated plans addressing concerns listed in the minutes from the September 11, 2023 meeting. Discussion followed.
Mr. Boxberger stated that he looked into traffic concerns and with the help of a consulting firm it was determined that there will be no impact on traffic.
Ms. Morgia submitted proof that the County has approved an additional highway cut.
The Board reviewed the plans regarding plantings for the buffer between Ms. Morgia’s property and Mr. Roderick’s property.
Ms. Morgia plans on planting 15-gallon 6-7 year old Blue Spruce in burlapped containers along the property line approximately 20′ apart. Discussion followed.
The Board requested that the trees be staggered at the front of the property line 30′ apart with a second row staggered 15′ between these trees.
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$ Kurt Richardson, 18538 County Route 65, asked that as a courtesy to him, some type of screening/buffer be installed in front of the building to block his view as he lives directly across from the building.
The Board asked that some type of landscaping be planted in front of the building, however, they do not want to see a solid wall of large trees that block the building for security reasons and visibility purposes.
The Board would like to see a spacing of a couple Spruce trees and lower shrubs across the front of the building that meet setback requirements to keep an aesthetic appearance, but doesn’t impede visibility.
Mrs. Desormo asked that the front line of the outdoor kennel have a solid wall or a weave of plastic through the fencing to help with noise and visual activity that would stimulate the dogs to bark.
The following needs to be submitted, a revised plat with detailed information regarding the spacing of the plantings as agreed upon for both the property line and front of the proposed building meeting all setback requirements, a picture of proposed fencing including a narrative for the agreement to have a solid wall or a weave of plastic through the fencing, proposed lighting needs to be cited on the plans, and a narrative that dog waste will be disposed of off site.
Motion 89-23: Motion by Mr. Boxberger, seconded by Mr. Smith to grant site plan approval to Cala Morgia, 18590 County Route 65, Tax Map #90.00-6-25.5 for the construction of a 1,600 square foot dog kennel as shown on plans prepared by Elson Glick, Sheet 5 & 6, dated 10/3/23, conditional upon the applicant providing landscaping revisions showing alternate plantings along the property line as indicated in the Landscaping Proposal starting at a distance as to not to impede visual observation of traffic flow continuing at thirty foot intervals for the first row for at least 10 trees that will be located a minimum of at least 15′ from the property line and the second alternative row to be placed at 30′ intervals at 25′-30′ from the property line midway between the first row of tree, submission of an acceptable landscape proposal for the property line along County Route 65, submission of a narrative describing the screening on the outdoor kennel fence, and narrative that dog waste will be disposed of off site. The Planning Board reserves the right to review the revisions without the need for another meeting. Upon unanimous consent of the Planning Board, site plan approval will be granted.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Avichal Corp/Sunoco – 19784 Cady Road – Tax Map #90.18-1-27.2 – Amendment to Previously Approved Site Plan from June 5, 2023.
Mrs. Desormo read a narrative (Attachment #2) submitted by Tom Ross, on behalf of Avichal Corp requesting minor adjustment to the previously approved site plan from 6/5/23. The Board waived full site plan review. Discussion followed.
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Motion 90-23: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Boxberger to approve the amended site plan for Avichal Corp/Sunoco, 19784 Cady Road, Tax Map #90.18-1-27.2 as shown on plans prepared by Storino Geomatics, dated 8/30/21 with a revision date of 9/28/23 as shown on Plans C101, C102, C501, PH101, File #2021-011E, conditional upon the addition of a handicapp parking space in the front of the building adjacent to the shaded area on the plans.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Motion 91-23: Motion by Mr. Boxberger, seconded by Mrs. Desormo to schedule a workshop meeting with the Tug Hill Commission and the Town Attorney regarding zoning on Monday, October 16, 2023 at 2:00 p.m., or alternate date acceptable to Tug Hill and/or the Town Attorney.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Motion 92-23: Motion by Mr. Smith, seconded Mr. Vaas to adjourn the meeting at 4:35 p.m.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
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Susan Burdick
Court Clerk