Regular Meeting
Town of Watertown Planning Board
August 4, 2025
Members Present: Tom Boxberger, Co-Chair
Pam Desormo, Co-Chair
Terry MacAdam
Jim Smith
Randy Vaas
Jean Waterbury, Alternate
Mr. Boxberger called the regular August meeting of the Town of Watertown Planning Board to order at 3:00 p.m.
Motion 56-25: Motion by Mr. Boxberger, seconded by Mr. Smith, to reschedule the regular September meeting to Monday, September 8, 2025 at 3:00 p.m.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Motion 57-25: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. MacAdam to accept the minutes of the July 7, 2025 meeting as amended.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
PUBLIC HEARING – SUBDIVISION
Dustin Gentile – 15575 County Route 156 – Tax Map #101.00-1-24.2 – 2 Lot Subdivision
Evidence was provided that notice was posted in the newspaper and that adjacent property owners were notified.
The public hearing was opened at 3:03 p.m. No one from the public wished to speak. The public hearing was closed at 3:04 p.m.
Terry Williams – 20516 Weaver Road – Tax Map #83.15-1-15.2 – 2 Lot Subdivision
Evidence was provided that notice was posted in the newspaper and 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 3:05 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING – SITE PLAN
The Scrub Hub – Bonnie Herman – 19033 US Route 11 – Tax Map #91.05-1-65 Construction of a 24′ x 30′ addition to the existing building.
Evidence was provided that 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.
SUBDIVISION
Dustin Gentile – 15575 County Route 156 – Tax Map #101.00-1-24.2 -2 Lot Subdivision.
Paul Bragger, Black River Land Surveying, on behalf of Dustin Gentile, submitted updated plans, completed SEQR form, and lot descriptions. Discussion followed.
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Motion 58-25: Motion by Mr. MacAdam, seconded by Mr. Smith to approve a 2 lot subdivision for Dustin Gentile, 15575 County Route 156, Tax Map #101.00-1-24.2 as shown on plans prepared by Black River Land Surveying Co., File #2025-057, dated 8/4/2025, Drawing No. V101, conditional upon satisfactory review of lot descriptions.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
SUBDIVISION
Terry Williams – 20516 Weaver Road – Tax Map #83.15-2-15.2 – 2 Lot Subdivision.
Austin Key, GYMO, submitted an updated plans, SEQR, and lot descriptions. Discussion followed.
Motion 59-25: Motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. MacAdam to approve a 2 lot subdivision for Terry Williams, 20516 Weaver Road, Tax Map #83.15-2-15.2 as shown on plans prepared by GYMO Architecture Engineering Land Surveying, Project #2005-178.02, dated 7/7/2025, Drawing No. S101, conditional upon submission of the signed purchase offer and satisfactory review of lot descriptions.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
SITE PLAN
Watertown Power Sports – 19310 US Route 11 – Tax Map #91.05-1-17.1 – Construction of a 50′ x 75′ Pole Barn.
Jack and Tyler Spry, Watertown Power Sports, submitted a completed application and proposed plans for the construction of a 50′ x 75′ pole barn at 19310 US Route 11, Tax Map #91.05-1-17.1. Discussion followed.
A detailed picture of the proposed building showing elevations, color, and an updated plat showing all setbacks needs to be submitted.
This proposed project does not meet the road frontage setback under zoning regulations. They must appear before the Zoning Board of Appeal to request a variance.
The Zoning Board of Appeals meets this evening at 7:00 p.m.
The application wishes to appear tonight, they must provide a detailed plat and completed application.
It is the consensus of the Planning Board that they have no issues with the proposed plans.
Circle K – Corner of NYS Route 12F – Tax Map #82.08-1-3.1 & County Route 196 – Gas Station.
Pat Scordo and Connor Chawgo, GYMO and James Talerico, Briad Development Group, submitted a completed application, Long EAF, and proposed plans for Circle K, Jimmy Johns, & Wendy’s at the Corner of NYS Route 12F and County Route 196, Tax Map #82.08-1-3.1. Discussion followed.
The proposed plans include changes discussed at the preliminary meeting in July. These changes include moving the building to meet setback requirements, green space, and changes to both handicap and regular parking spaces.
GYMO is still working with the Jefferson County Department of Transportation and New York State Department of Transportation regarding traffic issues both in and out of the site.
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The Board stated that the Town of Watertown Highway Superintendent needs to be contacted regarding paving over public utilities.
The proposed signage does not meet zoning requirements and will be before the Town of Watertown Zoning Board of Appeal’s meeting this evening at 7:00 p.m. for requests of variances.
Sidewalks have not been addressed to the Jefferson County Industrial Park as there is no connection from the proposed project to the Park.
Mr. Scordo asked for clarification regarding the pervious coverage guidelines.
Mr. Boxberger stated that there is a statement in the guidelines that allows the Board flexibility.
Motion 60-25: Motion by Mr. Boxberger, seconded by Mr. Smith to schedule a public hearing on Monday, September 8, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. for site plan review for the construction of the proposed Circle K/Jimmy John’s/Wend’s project at the Corner of NYS Route 12F and County Route 196.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
This matter will be referred to the Jefferson County Department of Planning for their review.
SIGN PERMIT
Cala Morgia – CJ Acres – 18780 US Route 11 – Tax Map #91.09-1-4.1 – Sign Permit.
The Board reviewed proposed signage submitted via email. Discussion followed.
Motion 61-25: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Boxberger to approve a 48″ x 30″ monument sign for CJ Acres located at 18780 US Route 11, Tax Map #91.09-1-4.1 as shown on plans dated 7/16/25.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Target – 21800 Towne Center Road – Tax Map #82.00-2-3.2 – Sign Permit.
The Board reviewed proposed plans submitted via email. Discussion followed.
Motion 62-25: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Boxberger to approve signage for Target, 21800 Towne Center Road, Tax Map #82.00-2-3.2 as shown on a plan package prepared by Sargenti, dated 4/14/25.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Sam’s Real Estate – 21341 County Route 202 – Tax Map #82.11-1-35.222 – Sign Permit.
The Board reviewed proposed signage submitted via email. Discussion followed.
Motion 63-25: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Boxberger to approve signage for Sam’s Real Estate, 21341 County Route 202, Tax Map #82.11-1-35.222 as shown on a sign package dated 7/18/25. This is for a sign on the building and refacing the free standing sign.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
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Cracker Barrel – 1289 Coffeen Street – Tax Map #82.08-1-9.2 Sign Permit
Mrs. Desormo stated that even though Cracker Barrel is in the City of Watertown their sign is in the Town of Watertown.
Cracker Barrel submitted plans to reface their existing sign. Discussion followed.
Motion 64-25: Motion by Mr. Boxberger, seconded by Mr. Smith to waive review of signage for Cracker Barrel as they are simply updating the existing sign.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
SITE PLAN
The Scrub Hub – Bonnie Herman – 19033 US Route 11 – Tax Map #91.05-1-65 – Construction of a 24′ x 30′ Addition to the Existing Building.
The comments from the Jefferson County Department of Planning dated 7/31/25 were entered into record (Attachment #1).
The Board reviewed the proposed plans.
Motion 65-25: Motion by Mr. Boxberger, seconded by Mr. Smith to approve site plan for The Scrub Hub, 19033 US Route 11, Tax Map #91.05-1-65 for the construction of a 24′ x 30′ addition to the existing building as shown on plans prepared by Plans by Design, dated 6/30/25, Sheet C-100 and elevation drawing showing the color to match the existing building.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
A zoning permit will be required.
Ramada Inn – 21000 NYS Route 3 – Tax Map #82.11-1-67.1 – 4 Charging Stations
The Board reviewed updated plans submitted by Ramada via email for charging stations. The updated plans show that location of the charging stations has been moved into the parking lot. National Grid will install a new utility pole and transformer to provide power. Discussion followed.
Motion 66-25: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Boxberger to waive site plan review for the construction of 4 charging stations for Ramada Inn, 21000 NYS Route 3, Tax Map #82.11-1-67.1 as it represents a very small footprint when compared to the size of the property and meets all zoning requirements.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
A zoning permit will be required.
Davidson Management Group – 21752 Gillette Road/US Route 11- Tax Map #90.12-1-6.6 – Construction of 4 EV Charging Stations
This proposed project is appearing before the Town of Watertown Zoning Board of Appeals tonight for a variance of setback requirements.
They are asking the Planning Board to grant a contingent approval in the event their variance request is approved. Discussion followed.
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Terry MacAdam will abstain from voting on this matter and Jean Waterbury will be a voting member for this matter.
Motion 67-25: Motion by Mr. Vaas, seconded by Mr. Smith to grant conditional site plan approval to Davidson Management Group, 21752 Gillette Road/US Route 11, for the construction of 4 EV charging stations, as shown on plans submitted to the ZBA, contingent on the Town of Watertown Zoning Board of Appeals granting a variance at their meeting on August 4, 2025.
Ayes: 4
Abstention: 1
Motion Carried.
Motion 68-25: Motion by Mr. Boxberger, seconded by Mr. MacAdam to adjourn the meeting at 4:35 p.m.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
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Susan Burdick
Secretary