Regular Meeting
Town of Watertown Planning Board
October 6, 2025
Members Present: Tom Boxberger, Co-Chair
Pam Desormo, Co-Chair
Terry MacAdam
Jim Smith
Randy Vaas
Jean Waterbury, Alternate
Mr. Boxberger called the October meeting of the Town of Watertown Planning Board to order at 3:00 p.m.
Motion 82-25: Motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Vaas to accept the minutes of the September 8, 2025 meeting as written and distributed.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Motion 83-25: Motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. MacAdam to accept the minutes of the special September 23, 2025 meeting as written and distributed.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
PUBLIC HEARING – SITE PLAN
Davidson Ford – 18621 US Route 11 – Tax Map #90.00-6-29.42 – Construction of a 115′ x 130′ Addition to the Back of the Existing Building – Site Plan
Evidence was provided that notice was posted in the newspaper.
The public hearing was called to order at 3:03 p.m. No one from the public wished to speak. The public hearing was closed at 3:04 p.m.
SIGN PERMIT
Smoke & Munch – 20991 NYS Route 3 – Tax Map #82.11-1-53 – Sign Permit
Ammar Obadi, owner, Smoke & Munch, submitted an application for a sign permit. Discussion followed.
Mr. Obadi was put on notice that cannabis sales are not permitted in the Town of Watertown. Mr. Obadi stated he was not selling cannabis items.
Mr. Obadi needs to submit the application fee.
Motion 84-25: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Smith to approve signage for Smoke & Munch, 20991 NYS Route 3 as show on plans prepared by Kassis Superior Signs, File Name, Smoke & Munch Channel Letters F-31960, dated 9/26/25.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
A zoning permit will be required.
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SITE PLAN
Priscilla Welch – 24670 Gotham Street Road – Tax Map #91.07-1-18 – In Home Occupation – Site Plan.
Priscilla Welch appeared before the Board regarding operating a professional kitchen in the carriage house on her property. Her plans are to make baked goods for pick-up only two to three time per week. She is not asking for any signage. Discussion followed.
Mr. Boxberger stated that because this is not on a commercial scale, it does not fall under the Department of Health or NYS Health Department regulations.
This in home occupation is an allowed use in R-2, the Board took no action on this matter. If the scale of her business increases, she may need to return to request a zone change to allow for business.
Ms. Welch may want to contact the Code Enforcement Officer of the Town of Watertown if she has any questions regarding making improvements to the carriage house.
Davidson Ford – 18621 US Route 11 – Tax Map #90.00-6-29.42 – Construction of a 115′ x 130′ Addition to the Back of the Existing Building – Site Plan.
The comments from the Jefferson County Department of Planning dated 8/27/25 were entered into record (Attachment #1).
Dan Carpenter, Director of Facilities for Davidson Auto Group, submitted an updated photo metric plan. He stated that less than an acre will be disturbed and they are not asking for a lot line adjustment at this time. Discussion followed.
Motion 85-25: Motion by Mr. Vaas, seconded by Mr. Smith to grant site plan approval to Davidson Ford, 18621 US Route 11, Tax Map #90.00-6-29.42 for a 115′ x 130′ addition to the rear of the existing building as shown on plans prepared by Hogan Engineering, with a revision date of 10/6/25, Project #HEPC 25047, Sheet C1, C1.1, C1.2, P1, & D1.0
Ayes 5: Motion Carried.
Mr. MacAdam – Abstained
Mrs. Waterbury was a voting member on this project
A zoning permit will be required.
Northern Federal Credit Union (Former Red Lobster) – 20831 NYS Route 3 – Tax Map #82.11-1-49.2 – S ign Permit.
No one was present.
Tracy Road Equipment – 19598 Cady Road – Tax Map #90.18-22.2 – Addition to Existing Building & Expansion of Vehicle Storage Area along I-81 – Site Plan.
Allen Yager, on behalf of Tracy Road Equipment, presented proposed plans for a 6,000 square foot addition to the exiting building located at 19598 Cady Road. This addition will match the existing building. The plans also include expanding the gravel display and vehicle storage area along I-81. They will not be asking for any new signage at this time. A full SWPPP is being prepared. Mr. Yager asked that a public hearing be scheduled. Discussion followed.
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The Board needs the site plan application with fees, elevation drawing, and as much of a completed full-size site plan package as possible by 10/15/25 for submission to the Jefferson County Department of Planning for their review.
Mr. Boxberger will look at the site regarding vegetation recommendations.
It was also recommended that the New York State Department of Transportation be contacted regarding the display of Equipment along I-81 as there may be restrictions under the Lady Bird Johnson Beautification Program.
Motion 86-25: Motion by Mr. Boxberger, seconded by Mr. MacAdam to schedule a public hearing on Monday, November 3, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. for Tracy Road Equipment for the construction of a 6,000 square foot addition to the existing building and expansion for equipment display along I-81.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
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.
Tiffany Street, on behalf of AT & T, presented proposed plans for the installation of 3 antennas on the water tower and upgrade of ground equipment on property located at 20005 NYS Route 3. There will be no increase in elevation. They are adding 3 antennas to the water tower and upgrading existing equipment at ground level. Discussion followed.
Motion 87-25: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Boxberger to schedule a public hearing on Monday, November 3, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. for AT & T Airosmith Development for site plan/special use permit for the installation of 3 antennas on the water tower and upgrade to ground equipment on property located at 20005 NYS Route 3.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
This proposed project will be referred to the Jefferson County Department of Planning for review.
Board members were asked to review the paperwork that was submitted on this proposed project prior to the next meeting.
SIGN PERMIT
SWISH 365/King Willie’s Acquisitions, LLC – 1291 Faichney Drive – Tax Map #82.08-1-10 – Sign Permit.
The Board reviewed proposed signage sent via email.
The plans show the installation of a 4′ x 8′ foot sign 12′ high with a solar light on top. This sign will be placed in the same spot that a previous sign was. It meets zoning requirements. Discussion followed.
Motion 88-25: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Boxberger to approve signage for SWISH 365/King Willie’s Acquisition, LLC located at 1291 Faichney Drive, Tax Map #82.08-1-10 as shown on plans prepared for SWISH 365, dated 9/23/25. The sign will be 4′ x 8′ and 12′ high. This is conditional that the solar lights at the top of the sign are dark sky compliant.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
A zoning permit will be required.
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Crosshairs Airsoft Field & Training Facility – 21182 Salmon Run Mall – Tax Map #82.11-1-50.21-701 – Sign Permit.
The Board reviewed proposed signage sent via email for an exterior sign on the building for Crosshairs located at 21182 Salmon Run Mall.
The Board did not have enough information to move forward on this proposed signage. Mrs. Desormo will contact the applicant that no action was taken.
Mike Lundy – Alexander Drive – Lot #6 – T. I. Ag Park
Mike Lundy appeared before the Board regarding a proposed project for Lot #6 on Alexander Drive in the T.I. Ag Park.
Three years ago, Mr. Lundy appeared before the Board for a project on Lot #6. A public hearing was held and SEQR was complete. The project was never built. The Town could not provide the utilities they needed to complete the project at that time.
Mr. Lundy is ready to resubmit the same plans and wants to know if he has to go through full site plan review. There are no changes to the layout of the building. Discussion followed.
Mr. Vaas stated that SEQR will not need to be redone if there are no changes to the proposed project.
Mrs. Desormo stated that it has to go through the full approval process as the site plan application is no longer valid due to its age.
The utility issue is still not resolved.
Mr. Lundy will submit and updated package for submission to the Jefferson County Department of Planning for review.
Mike Lundy – Jefferson County Industrial Park – Lot #11 – Tax Map #73.20-1-2.172 – Spec Building – Site Plan.
Mr. Lundy appeared before the Board to discuss a proposed project on Lot #11 in the Jefferson County Industrial Park.
Mr. Lundy has a Butler building that he wants to put up on Lot #11 as a spec building. They do not have a tenant as this point. He is currently working with the JCIDA for their approval.
The section he wants to build first is the middle section. The idea is that in the future, this site would be available for – office – manufacturing – warehouse – distribution. He feels that it only makes sense to build the middle section first.
The problem is the parking. You cannot park beyond the front of a building in the Corporate Park. They anticipate office space in the front of the building but this will not be included in this site plan.
A variance is one option, however, this is a self created problem. The second option is to temporarily build the parking lot at the rear which may means making some changes to the layout of the building. Discussion followed.
Mrs. Desormo pointed out that water and sewer is still not available to new projects at this time in the Town of Watertown and zoning permits are not being issued until the sewer issue is resolved with the City.
Mr. Lundy will come back with updated plans at a later date.
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Mike Lundy – Spink Farm – 23369 Spring Valley Drive – Tax Map #91.06-1-3 – Preliminary Discussion for Zone Change – Site Plan.
Mr. Lundy appeared before the Board to discuss the possibility of asking for a zone change to 23369 Spring Valley Drive. He has signed an option to buy the property. It is currently zoned R2 which does not allow for business.
The cost of the property doesn’t justify single family or residential development.
The idea is to start the process for a zone change. The senior village is zoned business. He would like to continue the business zone to that property on both sides of the road.
He stated that there is a need for multi-family housing in the area. The idea is for townhouses on the south side of the road facing Dry Hill and the north side of the road would be accommodations for professional-medical buildings and apartments.
Mr. Lundy wants to know how to start the zone change process.
The Board stated that they make zone change recommendations to the Town Board.
The challenge is the road topography. Water, sewer, and gas would also need to be extended. Discussion followed.
The Board is not comfortable making a recommendation until Mr. Lundy can come up with alternative plans to alleviate traffic issues for a project of this size.
Local Law Changes
The Board discussed changes that need to be presented to the Town Board to amend the local law regarding litter/clutter/junk property.
Originally two local laws where presented to the Town Board at the same time. One for unsafe structure and the other for litter/clutter/junk property. Somehow, verbiage stating that the Town would hire someone to remedy the situation if the property owner does not comply was only included in the unsafe structure local law.
Currently, there are several problem properties that fall under the litter/clutter/junk property local law that are very bad. The property owners are not complying and some notices are being returned.
In order for the Town to proceed, verbiage needs to be added to the local law for the litter/clutter/junk property local law that the Town will hire someone to remedy the situation if they do not comply. Discussion followed.
Motion 89-25: Motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. MacAdam that Mr. Boxberger will draft a letter to the Town Board with justification to amend the local law for litter/clutter/junk property that the Town will hire someone to remedy the situation if the property owners do not comply.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Motion 90-25: Motion by Mr. MacAdam, seconded by Mr. Smith to adjourn the Meeting 4:45 p.m.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
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Susan Burdick
Secretary