Regular Meeting
Town of Watertown Planning Board
November 3, 2025
Members Present: Tom Boxberger, Co-Chair
Pam Desormo, Co-Chair
Terry MacAdam
Jim Smith
Randy Vaas
Jean Waterbury, Alternate
Mr. Boxberger called the November meeting of the Town of Watertown Planning Board to order at 3:00 p.m.
Motion 91-25: Motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. MacAdam to accept the minutes of the October 6, 2025 meeting as written and distributed.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
PUBLIC HEARING – SITE PLAN
Tracey Road Equipment – 19598 Cady Road – Tax Map #90.18-1-22.2 – Addition to Exiting Building & Expansion of Equipment Storage Area Along I -81 – Site Plan
Evidence was provided that notice was posted in the newspaper.
The public hearing was opened at 3:01 p.m. No one from the public wished to speak. The public hearing was closed at 3:02 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING – SITE PLAN/SPECIAL USE PERMIT
AT & T – C/O Airosmith Development – 20005 NYS Route 3 – Tax Map #82.11-1-5.3 – Installation of Three (3) Antennas on the Water Tower and Upgrade to Ground Equipment – Site Plan/Special Use Permit.
Evidence was provided that notice was posted in the newspaper.
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.
LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT
Ann Halbach – 24311 NYS Route 12 – Tax Map #83.19-1-20 & 24301 NYS Route 12 – Tax Map #83.19-1-21 – Lot Line Adjustment.
Howard Lyndaker, Kovach Land Surveying, on behalf of Ann Halbach, submitted proposed plans for a lot line adjust for Ann Halbach at 24311 NYS Route 12, Tax Map #83.19-1-20 & 24301 NYS Route 12, Tax Map 83.19-1-21.
Ms. Halbach owns three parcels. She is in the process of selling 1 parcel and wants to adjust the lot line. Discussion followed.
The proposed lot line adjustment does not meet side setback requirements. This matter will need to appear before the Town of Watertown Zoning Board of Appeal for a variance to the setback requirements.
It is the consensus of the Board that they have no issue with this lot line adjustment.
The Town Clerk will notify the applicant of the next date for the Town of Watertown Zoning Board of Appeals meeting.
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SUBDIVISION
John Vespa & Michael Moran – Gotham Street Road – Tax Map #91.07-1-9.1 – 2 Lot Subdivision.
John Vespa submitted proposed plans for a 2 lot subdivision on Gotham Street Road, Tax Map #91.07-1-9.1. It meets all zoning requirements.
Motion 92-25: Motion by Mr. Boxberger, seconded by Mr. Smith to schedule a public hearing on Monday, December 1, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. for a 2 lot subdivision for John Vespa & Michael Moran for property located on Gotham Street Road, Tax Map #91.07-1-9.1.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
SITE PLAN
Kathie Cowles – 19560 Cady Road – Tax Map #90.18-1-25 – To Open a Mechanical Contractor Business.
Kathie Cowles approached the Board regarding opening a Mechanical Contractor Business in the former Schwan Building, 19560 Cady Road. She is in the process of buying the building which has been vacant for at least 5 years. It is zoned Business.
Discussion followed.
It is the consensus of the Board that site plan will not be required as there will be no structural changes to the exterior of the building.
Ms. Cowles will come back to the Board with proposed signage once she closes on the building. A zoning permit will also be required for change of use.
Motion 93-25: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Smith to waive site plan for the property located at 19560 Cady Road as this was already used for a business, it is in the business district, and there will be no changes to the exterior of the building.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Tracey Road Equipment – 19598 Cady Road – Tax Map #’s 90.18-1-22.1/90.18-1-22.2/90.18-1-23 – Addition to Existing Building & Expansion of Equipment Storage Area along I-81 – Site Plan.
The comment from the Jefferson County Department of Planning dated 10/29/25 were entered into record (Attachment #1).
Ben Harrell, CHA, on behalf of Tracey Road Equipment, presented updated plans for a 6,000 square foot addition to the exiting building located at 19598 Cady Road and expansion of equipment storage area along I-81.
Mr. Harrell stated that the equipment display area along I-81 has been shortened and proposed vegetation has been added to the plans. He also provided a letter from the NYS DOT stating that this project is in compliance with the Lady Bird Johnson Beautification Program as requested (Attachment #2). Discussion followed.
• An Agricultural Data Statement needs to be submitted as this project is within 500 feet of a NYS Agricultural District.
• The second page of the SWPPP paperwork has not been completed and needs to be submitted.
• The landowner plans to join the three lots into one at a future date.
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Motion 94-25: Motion by Mr. Boxberger, seconded by Mr. MacAdam to grant site plan approval to Tracey Road Equipment, 19598 Cady Road, Tax Map #’s 90.18-1-22.1 / 90.18-1-22.2 / 90.18-1-23 as shown on plans prepared by CHA, dated 10/29/25, File No. 25-222, Sheets, C-100, C-200, C-300, C-401, an elevation drawing dated 10/16/25, Sheets A100 & A200, conditional upon submission of an Ag Data Statement and completion of the SWPPP application process.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
A zoning permit will be required.
AT & T – C/O Airosmith Development – 20005 NYS Route 3 – Tax Map #82.11-1-5.3 – Installation of Three (3) Antennas on the Water Tower and Upgrade to Ground Equipment – Special Use/Site Plan.
Comment from the Jefferson County Department of Planning dated 10/22/25 was entered into record (Attachment #3). This project does not require their review because it is over 500 feet from the state highway. Discussion followed.
Tiffany Street, on behalf of AT & T, was present.
Motion 95-25: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Boxberger to grant site plan/special use permit approval to AT & T – C/O Airosmith Development for the installation of three (3) antennas on the town water tower and upgrade to ground equipment on property located at 20005 NYS Route 3, Tax Map #82.11-1-5.3 as shown on plans prepared by AiroSmith Development, Project # JAC MNP MCA T6, signed by Joseph Johnston, with the latest revision date of 9/19/25, Sheet T01, A01, A02, A03, A04 & A05.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
A zoning permit will be required.
Mike Lundy – Alexander Drive – Lot #6 – T. I. Ag Park
Mike Lundy submitted updated plans for a multi-tenant retail plaza on Alexander Drive, Lot #6 in the T.I. Ag Park.
This is the same plan that was submitted and approved 3 years ago but was never completed as the Town could not provide the utilities needed to complete the project. Discussion followed.
Motion 96-25: Motion by Mr. Boxberger, seconded by Mrs. Desormo to waive the application fee for site plan of Lot #6 on Alexander Drive in the TI Ag Park as it was paid 3 years ago.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Mr. Lundy will submit elevation drawings.
This project will be referred to the Jefferson County Department of Planning for their review.
Motion 97-25: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Smith to schedule a public hearing on Monday, December 1, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. for site plan of Lot #6 on Alexander Drive in the TI Ag Park.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
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Mike Lundy – Jefferson County Industrial Park – Lot #11 – Tax Map #73.20-1-2.172 – Manufacturing Building – Site Plan.
Mr. Lundy submitted a completed application and proposed plans for a manufacturing building on Lot #11 in the Jefferson County Industrial Park, Tax Map #73.20-1-2.172. Discussion followed.
Mr. Lundy needs to submit a vegetation plan for the front of the building, short SEQR form, and proposed signage.
Mr. Lundy will appear at the December meeting with updated plans.
SIGN PERMIT
Crosshairs Airsoft Field & Training Facility – 21182 Salmon Run Mall – Tax Map #82.11-1-50.21-701 – Sign Permit
The Board reviewed proposed signage for Crosshairs. The sign will be 42″ x 29″ on the outside of the building. Discussion followed.
Motion 98-25: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Boxberger to grant sign approval to Crosshairs, 21182 Salmon Run Mall, Tax Map #82.11-1-50.21-701. As shown on plans signed by Jones. The sign will be an exterior sign 42″ x 29″, conditional upon submission of a completed application.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Motion 99-25: Motion by Mr. MacAdam, seconded by Mr. Smith to adjourn the Meeting 4:35 p.m.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
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Susan Burdick
Secretary