Regular Meeting
Town of Watertown Planning Board
December 7, 2015
Members Present: Tom Boxberger, Co-Chair
Pam Desormo, Co-Chair
Terry MacAdam
Jim Smith
Randy Vaas
Mr. Boxberger called the regular meeting of the Town of Watertown Planning Board to order at 7:00 p.m.
Motion 98-15: Motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. MacAdam to accept the minutes of the November 2, 2015 meeting as written and distributed.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Motion 99-15: Motion by Mr. Boxberger, seconded by Mr. MacAdam to scheduled the 2016 monthly meetings of the Town of Watertown Planning Board for the first Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Mr. Boxberger stated that a recommendation needs to be made to appoint a Chairperson of the Town of Watertown Planning Board for the 2016 year.
Motion 100-15: Motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. MacAdam that Mr. Boxberger and Mrs. Desormo remain as Co-Chairs of the Town of Watertown Planning Board for the 2016 year.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Mr. Boxberger announced that Mrs. Desormo will be the new Town Clerk effective January 1, 2016. After discussions with the Department of State, Tug Hill Commission, and New York State Association of Towns, it has been determined that there is no conflict with Mrs. Desormo serving as a Town of Watertown Planning Board member while serving as the Town Clerk.
PUBLIC HEARING – SUBDIVISION
Sarah Miller – 16591 Deer Run Road – Tax Map #90.20-1-32.3 – 2 Lot Subdivision
Legal notice was published in the newspaper and evidence that adjacent property owners was provided.
The public hearing was opened at 7:03 p.m.
Al Calligaris, 16605 Deer Run Road, spoke regarding a right-of-way he has in his deed in front of the property for the proposed subdivision. He wanted to make sure that this subdivision would not interfere with this deeded right-of-way. Discussion followed.
The board stated that the right-of-way is shown on the plat and cited in the lot descriptions and there will be no interferance with the deeded righ-of-way.
The public hearing was closed at 7:12 p.m.
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SUBDIVISION
Sarah Miller – 16591 Deer Run Road – Tax Map #90.20-1-32.3 – 2 Lot Subdivision.
Mr. Boxberger stated that the deed restriction lift submitted at the November 2, 2015 meeting was referred to the Town Attorney, Joe Russell, for review and it was determined that this is a legal document and it is ok to proceed with the subdivision.
The board reviewed the proposed plans which meet all zoning requirements. Discussion followed.
Motion 101-15: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Smith to grant a 2 lot subdivision for Sarah Miller, Tax Map #90.20-1-32.3, 16591 Deer Run Road, as shown on a map prepared by LaFave, White & McGivern, dated 12/4/15, File #2015M-28 showing Lot #10 being 5.01 acres and Lot #9B being 5.09 acres, conditional upon satisfactory review of lot descriptions.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Hillcrest Farms, LLC – Tax Map #91.12-1-6 – South of NYS Route 12 – Subdivision
Tonya Kubis approached the board regarding a 40 acre subdivision she is proposing in the Town of Rutland. A small parcel of land (Tax Map #91-12-1-6) is located in the Town of Watertown. This parcel has no road frontage and is an orphaned lot. Ms. Curtis is asking for an administrative release from the Town of Watertown Planning Board to allow the Town of Rutland to deal with the subdivision. Discussion followed.
Motion 102-15: Motion by Mr. Boxberger, seconded by Mr. Vaas to waive subdivision approval for Hillcrest Farms, LLC, Tax Map #91.12-1-6 as it is already an existing parcel and any further development on the property in question is going to be delegated to the Town of Rutland and the Town of Watertown Planning Board has no action to take.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
SIGN PERMIT
Gary Reibart – 18326 US Route 11 – Tax Map #90.12-1-23.2 – Sign Permit.
Gary Reibart of Homestead Quality Homes appeared for a preliminary discussion to update an existing sign at 18326 US Route 11, Tax Map #90.12-1-23.2.
He would like to make the proposed sign larger that the existing one and have digital capabilities. The digital message would change weekly or monthly. It will be not scrolling. Discussion followed.
The board stated that they would like to see the base of the sign taller than the existing base. They asked that Mr. Reibart submit detailed plans for the board to review.
Mr. Reibart also asked about having a pavilion to display an old covered wagon in front of his business. Discussion followed.
The plans Mr. Reibart proposed, do not meet zoning setbacks. Mr. Reibart was asked to submit a completed site plan application showing all setbacks before the board can take any action on this proposed project.
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ALTERNATIVE ENERGY PRESENTATION
Don Alexander from the JCLDC and representatives from Entecco, LLC made a presentation on Alternative Energy.
The Jefferson County Local Development Corp was awarded a NY Prize from NYSERDA to conduct a feasibility study for a microgrid installation. JCLDC and Entecco have been studying this opportunity for the past two years.
John Bay and Heather Novak from Entecco, LLC reviewed the preliminary design of the JCLDC microgrid that is being submitted to the state as phase 2 of the project. Discussion followed.
Mr. Boxberger stated that the Town of Watertown Planning Board has worked to include alternative energy in the town codes with the Tug Hill Commission. They have worked on zoning changes to make this concept grant friendly, town friendly, and consistent with the comprehensive plan.
The Town of Watertown Planning Board would like to offer a letter of support for this project.
Motion 103-15: Motion by Mr. MacAdam, seconded by Mr. Smith to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
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Susan Burdick
Secretary