Regular Meeting
Town of Watertown Planning Board
July 7, 2025
Members Present: Tom Boxberger, Co-Chair
Pam Desormo, Co-Chair
Terry MacAdam
Jim Smith
Randy Vaas
Members Excused: Jean Waterbury, Alternate
Mr. Boxberger called the regular July meeting of the Town of Watertown Planning Board to order at 3:00 p.m.
Motion 46-25: Motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. MacAdam, to accept the minutes of the June 2, 2025 meeting as written and distributed.
Ayes All: Motion Carried
SIGN PERMIT
Cala Morgia – CJ Acres – 18780 US Route 11 – Tax Map #91.09-1-4.1 – Sign Permit
Cala Morgia discussed proposed plans for signage at CJ Acres, 18780 US Route 11, Tax Map #91.09-1-4.1. This property is next door to 18814 US Route 11, her existing business. The sign will be similar to the other sign with a planter box. Discussion followed.
Ms. Morgia will return to the August 4, 2025 meeting with definitive plans to present to the Board showing the exact dimensions, a color picture of the proposed signage, and exact placement on the property. This will be an off premise sign.
Net Par – 21880 Towne Center Drive – Tax Map #82.00-2-3.3 – Golf, Bar & Restaurant – Sign Permit.
Mark Knowles, on behalf of Net Par, presented proposed plans for three signs for Net Par located at 21880 Towne Center Drive, Tax Map #82.00-2-3.3. Discussion followed.
Motion 47-25: Motion by Mr. MacAdam, seconded by Mr. Smith to approve signage for Net Par as shown on plans prepared by Ad Light Signs & Lighting Services, Drawing 1 of 1, dated 5/16/25 showing three signs. The front elevation sign will be 190.5″ x 45″, the side elevation sign will be 164″ x 39″, and sign for the back elevation will be 190.5″ x 45″, conditional upon submission of the a $35 application fee, building owner’s approval, and a color rendering of signage by email to Mrs. Desormo.
Aye All: Motion Carried.
A zoning permit will be needed.
LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT
James Waller – 22727 Swan Road – Tax Map #91.13-1-5.1 / David & Linda Burnash – 22894 Swan Road – Tax Map #91.13-1-6 – Lot Line Adjustment.
The zoning violation against Mr. Waller has been resolved.
Mr. Waller needs to submit a new check for this application as the first one has expired.
The Board reviewed a proposed lot line adjustment for James Waller, 22727 Swan Road, Tax Map #91.13-1-5.1 and David Burnash, 22894 Swan Road, Tax Map #91.13-1-6. Discussion followed.
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Motion 48-25: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Vaas to approve a lot line adjustment between James Waller, 22727 Swan Road, Tax Map #91.13-15.1 and David and Linda Burnash at 22894 Swan Road, Tax Map #91.13-1-6. This adjustment consists of removing 2.3 acres from Tax Map #91.13-1-5.1 and adding it to Tax Map
# 91.13-1-6 as shown on plans prepared by LaFave, White & McGivern, L.S., P.C., dated 1/15/25, File #2024B-48, Sheet 1 of 1, signed by Stephen J. Gracey, conditional upon satisfactory review of lot descriptions, submission of 3 additional maps, and submission of a new check for $25.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Widrick/Rent-A-Wreck – 19101 US Route 11 – Tax Map #91.05-1-62.2 & 19107 US Route 11 – Tax Map 91.05-1-62.1 – Preliminary Lot Line Adjustment Discussion.
Patsy Stornio, on behalf of Widrick/Rent-A-Wreck presented a modified plat for lot line adjustments for Widrick/Rent-A-Wreck, 19101 US Route 11. These lot line adjustments allow the storage buildings to be separated from the rest of the business. There are currently three (3) lots, after the consolidation and lot line adjustment there will be two lots. Discussion followed.
Motion 49-25: Motion by Mr. Boxberger, seconded by Mr. Smith to approve a lot line adjustment for Widrick/Rent-A-Wreck as show on plans prepared by Patsy A. Storino, dated 8/8/23, File #97-166A-Watn, with a final revision date of 6/24/25. Lot #1 will consist of Parcel A, B, part of C, and part of D. Lot #2 will consist of part of Parcel C and part of D, and Parcel E making Lot #1, 2.2 acres and Lot #2, 10.73 acres, conditional upon satisfactory review of lot descriptions.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
SUBDIVISION
Dustin Gentile – 15575 County Route 156 – Tax Map #101.00-1-24.2 – Lot Line Adjustment.
Paul Bragger, on behalf of Dustin Gentile, presented proposed plans for a 2 lot subdivision at 15575 County Route 156, Tax Map #101.00-1-24.2. Discussion followed.
Motion 50-25: Motion by Mr. Boxberger, seconded by Mr. MacAdam to schedule a public hearing on Monday, August 4, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. for Dustin Gentile for a 2 lot subdivision at 15575 County Route 156.
Tax Map #101.00-1-24.2.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
SUBDIVISION
Terry Williams – 20516 Weaver Road – Tax Map #83.15-2-15.2 – 2 Lot Subdivision.
Pat Scordo, Austin Key, & Ryan Aubertine, GYMO, submitted an updated application and proposed plans for a 2 lot subdivision at 20516 Weaver Road, Tax Map #83.15-2-15.2. The subdivision is for a pumping station for the new water district in the Town of Watertown. Discussion followed.
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Motion 51-25: Motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. MacAdam to schedule a public hearing on Monday, August 4, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. for a 2 lot subdivision for Terry Williams, 20516 Weaver Road. Tax Map #83.15-2-15.2
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
The notification letter for the public hearing will be modified informing adjacent property owners that the subdivision is for the purpose of housing the pumping station for the new water district.
SITE PLAN
Terry Williams – 20516 Weaver Road – Tax Map #83.15-2-15.2 – Site Plan
Pat Scordo, GYMO, presented the site plan for the pumping station on property that the Town will purchase from Terry Williams after the subdivision approval.
Mr. Scordo asked the Board if full site plan review would be required as the Town will be purchasing the land as a public utility for the pumping station as part of the new water district. Discussion followed.
The board reviewed the site plan and asked that a color rendering of elevations, the stockade fencing, and a vegetative plan be submitted.
Motion 52-25: Motion by Mr. Boxberger, seconded by Mrs. Desormo to waive that site plan as this is not required for this public utility as presented for the pumping station for the Town’s new water district for the Town of Watertown.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Widrick/Rent-A-Wreck – 19107 US Route 11 – Tax Map #91.05-1-62.1 – Construction of Two Additional Storage Units – Site Plan
Patsy Storino, on behalf of Widrick/Rent-A-Wreck, presented proposed plans for the construction of two additional storage units at 19107 US Route 11. Discussion followed.
Mr. Vaas commented that additional units are being added every few years. The owners need to come up with a long-term plan of what they would like for future development and not keep appearing for piecemeal projects.
Motion 53-25: Motion by Mr. Boxberger, seconded by Mr. Smith to waive site plan review for Widrick/Rent-A-Wreck for the construction of two additional storage units as shown on a plat prepared by Patsy Storino, File #97-166A-Watn, dated 8/8/23, with a final revision date of 6/24/25 indicating two new storage units. The reason for waiving site plan is that these units represent a minor increase, meet zoning requirements, and are not visible from the road, conditional that any future development of any kind on this property be done in accordance with a comprehensive 5-year plan for the property.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
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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.
Scott Weston, Plans by Design, on behalf of The Scrub Hub, presented a completed application and proposed plans for the construction of a 24′ x 30′ addition to the existing building at 19033 US Route 11. Drawings include elevations. The color will be matching the existing retail space. Discussion followed.
Motion 54-25: Motion by Mr. Vaas, seconded by Mr. Smith to schedule a public hearing on Monday, August 4, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. for site plan for the construction of a 24′ x 30′ addition at The Scrub Hub, 19033 US Route 11.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Pat Scordo, GYMO – Corner of NYS Route 12F – Tax Map #82.08-1-3.1 & County Route 196 – 7,500 Square Foot Multi-Tenant Gas Station – Site Plan
Pat Scordo, GYMO and James Talerico, Briad Development Group presented preliminary plans for a 7,500 square foot building to house the Circle K Convenient Store, Jimmy John’s and Wendy’s Restaurants. The site would also include an eight-pump fuel station, 24 parking spaces and intersecting drive up lanes for 2 restaurants at the Corner of NYS Route 12F and County Route 196.
Developers are working with New York State Department of Transportation on how traffic would be impacted.
The developers are still working out some issues before they submit formal plans but want to get input from the Board before they submit formal plans.
Some of the issues they are working on include:
$ They have enough road frontage on County Route 196, however, the project may not meet front setback requirements from the property line due to site constraints. An area variance may be needed.
$ They want to know how firm lot coverage percentage of green space is in a Neighborhood Commercial Zone.
$ Each tenant will require their own signage with Circle K requesting a high-rise sign of 70′.
Discussing followed:
Handicap parking was discussed. There needs to be more handicap parking with three businesses and it needs to be reconfigured in relationship to the entrances of the building and include safe walking zones. Additionally, the Town does not allow for signs over 20’ high.
The Board stated that they have some interesting challenges to work out, including the configuration of the drive-up windows for the two restaurants as well as the handicap parking.
Mrs. Desormo asked if sidewalks to the Industrial Park are possible as many park employees may want to walk to this site during work hours.
Board members will take a look at this site to get a better idea if sidewalks are feasible.
Mr. Scordo submitted an EAF to Mr. Vaas for review.
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The developers will submit formal site plans at the August 4, 2025 meeting.
Mike Lundy – Preliminary Discussion – Sketch Plan Conference for a Dairy Processing Plant on Outer Massey Street Road.
Mike Lundy, Developer, Corry Lawler, CEO of the Lawman Group, Jay Matteson, Jefferson County Agricultural Coordinator, and Mike LaSalle, MBL Engineering appeared before the Board for a preliminary sketch plan conference regarding the construction of a $250 million dairy processing plant on Outer Massey Street. This proposed plant will consist of a 300,000 square foot plant that would use raw milk, skim milk, and whey sourced from regional dairy farms to produce milk powders, whey protein concentrate, and other dry dairy products like infant formula.
Mr. Matteson spoke about the impact a dairy processing plant will have for Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties. Northern New York has 393 dairy farms, 90,000 cows, and produces 2 billion pounds of milk annually. Currently we have two great dairy processing plants in Jefferson County, Great Lakes Cheese which makes naturally aged cheddar cheese and HP Hood which is a culture plant that makes cottage cheese, sour cream, and yogurt. Award winning product due to the high quality milk. So it makes a lot of sense that this company is looking at Jefferson County for a home to a dairy processing plant.
A new state-of-the-art plant will be a major boost for the dairy industry in the north country and make an economic impact for decades to come.
Corry Lawler, CEO of the Lawman Group is the design builder and general contractor for the project. He presented information on the construction of the plant. He reviewed a drawing of the proposed plant and gave a brief overview on how the process will work with trucks bringing in milk and the process to change this milk into powder.
The plant’s proximity to the CSX rail line is critical for the project in order to ship product out quickly. The site also has 115KV transmission lines that would give the plant the power it needs.
The plant could employ 80 high-paying workers and hundreds of construction workers to build the plant in stages. Construction will take 2 years. The approval process is expected to take several months. The project will be completely private funded.
Mike LaSalle, MBL Engineering, present proposed site plan addressing parking both on and off site, traffic flow, and storm water management.
Mike Lundy stated that they are hoping to have a submission of the design by the August 4, 2025 meeting. They have some changes that they need to discuss internally before they can submit plans.
They are still working on a number of issues, including SEQR, traffic, noise pollution, etc.
Mr. Vaas stated that he will need an extended EAF. He would like to work with the developers to set up the meetings with the DOT, DEC, and DOH to get the input from all the agencies.
The Board scheduled a work session meeting to discuss this proposed project on Monday, August 4, 2025 at 4:30 p.m.
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Ramada Inn – 21000 NYS Route 3 – Tax Map #82.11-1-67.1 – 3 Charging Stations – Site Plan.
The Board reviewed paperwork submitted via email to Mrs. Desormo for the construction of 3 charging stations at Ramada Inn, 21000 NYS Route 3, Tax Map #2.11-1-67.1. Discussion followed.
The proposed plans do not show setbacks. Ramada is in the process of preparing a survey.
It is the consensus of the Board that the charging station are a structure and site plan review will be required.
Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District – 25451 State Route 12 – Tax Map #91.11-1-10.2 – Expansion of Parking Area – Site Plan
The Board reviewed an email from Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District looking for clarification on whether formal site plan approval is required for the removal of 3 trees to expand the parking area 2,000 square feet. Discussion followed.
It is the consensus of the Board that formal site plan is not required as there will be no new structure. They may move forward with their plan to increase the parking area by 2,000 square feet and resurface the existing parking to match the newly proposed area.
Motion 55-25: Motion by Mr. MacAdam, seconded by Mr. Boxberger to adjourn the meeting at 5:55 p.m.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
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Susan Burdick
Secretary