Regular Meeting
Town of Watertown Zoning Board of Appeals
September 9, 2024
Members Present: Brandon Cooney- Chairman
Mike Dulmage
Robin Kiernan
Jennifer Knapp
Members Absent: Robert Wormwood
Mr. Cooney called the reschedule regular September meeting of the Town of Watertown Zoning Board of Appeal to order at 7:00 p.m.
Motion 10-24: Motion by Mr. Dulmage, seconded by Mrs. Kiernan to accept the minutes of the August 5, 2024 meeting as written and distributed.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
PUBLIC HEARING – VARIANCE REQUEST
Next Step Floral Shop – David & Kate Millard – 19177 US Route 11 – Tax Map #91.05-1-5 – Area Variance Request of Rear & Side Setback Requirements for the Construction of a 24′ x 34′ Addition to the Existing Building. Zoning Requires 20′ Rear & Side Setback – Plans Propose a 10′ Rear Setback and 15′ Side Setback.
Evidence was provided that notice was posted in the newspaper and adjacent property owners were notified.
The public hearing was opened at 7:01 p.m. No one from the public wished to speak. The public hearing was closed at 7:01 p.m.
AREA VARIANCE REQUEST
Next Step Floral Shop – David & Kate Millard – 19177 US Route 11 – Tax Map #91.05-1-5 – Area Variance Request of Rear & Side Setback Requirements for the Construction of a 24′ x 34′ Addition to the Existing Building. Zoning Requires 20′ Rear & Side Setback – Plans Propose a 10′ Rear Setback and 15′ Side Setback.
The Board review the proposed plans.
Motion 11-24: Motion by Mrs. Knapp, seconded by Mrs. Kiernan to grant a variance for the side setback at 15′, 20′ is required and a variance for the rear setback at 10′, 20′ is required for Next Step Floral Shop, 19177 US Route 11, Tax Map #91.05-1-5 for the construction of a 24′ x 34′ addition to the existing building.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
This matter will appear before the Town of Watertown Planning Board on Monday, September 16, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. for site plan review.
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ChargeSmartEV – 21000 State Route 3 – Tax Map #82.11-1-67.1 – Area Variance request for the Installation of Electric Charging Stations at 21000 State Route 3 (Ramada Inn) – Zoning Requires a 30′ setback. The proposed plans show the stations on the property line. This proposed project will be referred to the Jefferson County Department of Planning for review. A public hearing needs to be scheduled.
Bridget O’Connor, Project Manager, ChargeSmartEV, submitted an application and supporting documentation for a variance request of setback requirements for the installation of electric charging stations (5 Dual Stations) at 21000 State Route 3 (Ramada Inn), Tax Map #82.11-1-67.1. Zoning requires a 30′ setback and the plans show the stations on the property line. Discussion followed.
Ms. O’Connor stated that she is still waiting on documentation from the utility company regarding a property easement with Hannaford.
The request for these charging stations came directly from Ramada Inn for use by their guests.
The Municipality also has the ability to state whether they would like to open up the use of the charging stations to the public.
The Board would like Ms. O’Connor to explore whether these charging stations could be placed at another location on the property where they would not need a variance.
Motion 12-24: Motion by Mrs. Kiernan, seconded by Mr. Dulmage to schedule a public hearing for ChargeSmartEV on Monday, October 7, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. for a variance request of setback requirements for the installation of electric charging stations at 21000 State Route 3, Tax Map #82.11-1-67.1.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
USE VARIANCE REQUEST
Ra Energy Company (Prime LLC) – 19953 County Route 65 – Tax Map #82.20-1-16.1 – Use Variance Request for Solar Farm – This use is not allowed in R-3. This proposed project will be referred to the Jefferson County Department of Planning for their review. A public hearing needs to be set.
Randy Soggs, Ra Energy, submitted proposed plans for a solar farm at 19953 County Route 65 which need a use variance as it is not allowed in R-3. The application fee still needs to be submitted.
Mr. Soggs presented a “use variance analysis” for the Board’s consideration addressing all four points that need to be considered when issuing a use variance. Discussion followed.
Motion 13-24: Motion by Mr. Dulmage, seconded by Mr. Cooney to schedule a public hearing for Ra Energy Company on Monday, October 7, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. for a use variance request for a solar farm at 19953 County Route 65, Tax Map #82.11-1-67.1.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Motion 14-24: Motion by Mr. Cooney, seconded by Mr. Dulmage to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m.
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Susan Burdick
Secretary