Regular Meeting
Town of Watertown Zoning Board of Appeals
October 6, 2025
Members Present: Bob Wormwood – Chairman
Brandon Cooney
Robin Kiernan
Jennifer Knapp
Members Absent: Mike Dulmage
Mr. Wormwood called the regular October meeting of the Town of Watertown Zoning Board of Appeal to order at 7:00 p.m.
Motion 19-25: Motion by Mr. Wormwood, seconded by Mrs. Knapp to accept the minutes of the September 4, 2025 meeting as written and distributed.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
PUBLIC HEARING – AREA VARIANCE REQUEST
Circle K Convenient Store – Corner of NYS Route 12F & County Route 196 – Tax Map #82.08-1-3.1 – Area Variance Request for a 70′ High-Rise Sign.
The public hearing was re-opened at 7:02 p.m. No one from the public wished to speak. The public hearing was closed at 7:03 p.m.
AREA VARIANCE REQUEST
Circle K Convenient Store – Corner of NYS Route 12F & County Route 196 – Tax Map #82.08-1-3.1 – Area Variance Request for a 70′ High-Rise Sign.
Pat Scordo and Connor Chawago, GYMO, and Michael Talarico, Briad Development appeared before the Board.
Mr. Scordo apologized for not appearing at the September meeting. He stated that they needed time to prepare a Corridor Visibility Study to support their request for an area variance for a 70′ high-rise sign.
Mr. Scordo and Mr. Chawago reviewed the study with the Board.
Mr. Scordo stated he feels the study supports the request for a variance.
Mr. Talarico stated that clearly, from a visibility stand point, a 70′ high-rise sign is needed to attract traffic off the interstate due to the height of the bridge abutment, location of site which sits in a hole, and the grade differential on the northern part of the property. This is a mini travel center that relies heavily on interstate traffic.
Other exits, both in Town of Watertown and other adjoining towns, have high-rise signs along I-81 to attract traffic off the interstate. It is problematic that the Town of Watertown does not allow high-rise signs. It is only fair that this proposed project be granted the same opportunity
Mr. Talarico also stated that his bosses do not know if this proposed project will move forward without the proposed signage due to the competition in the area. Discussion followed.
Mr. Wormwood stated that he feels that the Zoning Board of Appeals set a precedence when they did not allow a high-rise sign to the store across the street from this proposed project. He also feels there are other options such as using billboards and/or information guide signs along I-81; therefore, he would deny the area variance request on those grounds.. Mrs. Kiernan and Mrs. Knapp agreed with Mr. Wormwood.
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Mr. Talarico stated that the purpose of a Zoning Board of Appeals is to grant relief after review of an application and grant relief if a hardship is proved.
To say that a precedence has been set and that the sign ordinance is “set in stone” therefore; no relief will be granted, is not right.
Motion 20-25: Motion by Mr. Kiernan, seconded by Mrs. Knapp to deny the area variance for a 70′ high-rise sign to Circle K, Corner of NYS Route 12F & County Route 196, Tax Map #82.08-1-3.1.
The Board was polled:
Mr. Wormwood – No – As a precedence has been set and there are other options such as using billboards and/or informational guide signs along I-81.
Mrs. Kiernan – No – Same reasons as above
Mrs. Knapp – No – Same reasons as above.
Mr. Cooney – Abstained
Nay 3: Motion Denied.
Motion 21-25: Motion by Mr. Cooney, seconded by Mr. Wormwood to adjourn the meeting at 7:26 p.m.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
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Susan Burdick
Secretary