Regular Meeting
Town of Watertown Planning Board
September 8, 2025
Members Present: Tom Boxberger, Co-Chair
Pam Desormo, Co-Chair
Terry MacAdam
Jim Smith
Randy Vaas
Jean Waterbury, Alternate
Mr. Boxberger called the rescheduled September meeting of the Town of Watertown Planning Board to order at 3:00 p.m.
Motion 69-25: Motion by Mr. MacAdam, seconded by Mr. Smith, to accept the minutes from the August 4, 2025 meeting as written and distributed.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
PUBLIC HEARING – SITE PLAN
Circle K/Jimmy John’s/Wendy’s – Corner of NYS Route 12F & County Route 196 – Tax Map #82.08-1-3.1
Evidence was provided that notice was posted in the newspaper and that adjacent property owners were notified.
The public hearing was opened at 3:02 p.m. No one from the public wished to speak. The public hearing was closed at 3:03 p.m.
SITE PLAN
Adam Ortego – 18535 US Route 11 – Tax Map #90.12-1-20.2 – Change of Use to an Auto Service Center – Site Plan/Sign Permit.
Adam Ortego submitted an application, and proposed signage for a 4′ x 8′ vinyl sign for an Auto Service Center at 18535 US Route 11, Tax Map #90.12-1-20.2. There will be no change to the outside of the building. Discussion followed.
Mr. Ortego is renting this building from the Caprara’s. He needs to check with DEC or speak with the Caprara’s to see if they have information regarding a oil/water separator in the floor drain prior to a zoning permit being issued.
Motion 70-25: Motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. MacAdam to waive site plan review for Adam Ortego for an Auto Service Center located at 18535 US Route 11 as there will be no changes to the outside of the structure.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
A zoning permit will not be issued until a letter regarding a oil/water separator has been submitted.
Motion 71-25: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Boxberger to grant sign approval to Adam Ortego for a 4′ x 8′ vinyl sign above the door at 18535 US Route 11, Tax Map #90-12-1-20.2.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
-2-
Watertown Power Sports – 19310 US Route 11 – Tax Map #91.05-1-17.1 – Construction of a 50′ x 76′ Pole Barn – Site Plan.
Jack and Tyler Spry submitted updated plans for a 50′ x 76′ Pole Barn at 19310 US Route 11, Tax Map #91.05-1-17.1. This project was granted a variance of front setback requirements on September 4, 2025 for the construction of this pole barn. Discussion followed.
Motion 72-25: Motion by Mr. MacAdam, seconded by Mr. Smith to waive the public hearing requirement for site plan review as a public hearing was held for the Town of Watertown Zoning Board of Appeal on this proposed project on September 4, 2025 and no one from the public wished to speak.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
The Jefferson County Department of Planning stated that since this project was reviewed for the variance request at their August meeting, it is not necessary to resubmit for review of site plan.
Motion 73-25: Motion by Mr. Boxberger, seconded by Mr. Smith to grant site plan approval for Watertown Power Sports, 19310 US Route 11, Tax Map #91.05-1-17.1 for the construction of a 50′ x 76′ pole barn as shown on a 10 page plan dated 9/8/25 prepared by HG Construction and an elevation plan dated 9/8/25. The building will be white, the same color as the existing building. This approval is conditional upon submission of a completed site plan application and SEQR.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
U-Store – 20631 NYS Route 12F – Tax Map #73.19-1-5.6 – Update to previously approved site plan from March 10, 2025.
Scott Weston, Plans by Design, submitted updated plans for a previously approved site plan from March 10, 2025. Discussion followed.
The original approval was for a 25′ x 100′ and 40′ x 100′ climate controlled building. The new plans are for a 25′ x 150′ and 40′ x 150′ climate controlled buildings. The new plans meet all setback requirements.
Motion 74-25: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Boxberger to approve modifications to the previously approved site plan for U-Store of Watertown, 20631 NYS Route 12F, Tax Map #73.19-1-5.6 as shown on Sheet C-100 with a revision date of 9/3/25. The modifications to the plans show that one building will now be
25′ x 150′ and the other will be 40′ x 150′.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Davidson Ford – 18621 US Route 11 – Tax Map #90.00-6-29.42/90.00-6-29.1 – 115′ x 130′ Addition to the Back of the Building and Expanded Parking – Site Plan.
Dan Carpenter, Director of Facilities for Davidson Auto Group, presented proposed plans for a 115′ x 130′ addition to the back of the existing Ford building at 19621 US Route 11. They will also be expanding the parking on the north side of the building. Discussion followed.
A completed site plan application needs to be submitted. Lighting needs to be citing on the plans with a notation that it will be Dark Sky Compliant. The new parking area will be part of Tax Map #90.00-6-29.1.
-3-
Motion 75-25: Motion by Mr. Boxberger, seconded by Mr. Smith to schedule a public hearing for Davidson Ford, 18621 US Route 11, on Monday, October 6, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. for the construction of a 14,950 square foot addition to the rear of the Ford Building, conditional upon receipt of the completed site plan application.
Ayes – 5
Abstention – 1
Motion Carried.
Jean Waterbury was a voting member on this motion.
This matter will be referred to the Jefferson County Department of Planning for their review.
Design Build – Lot 11 – Jefferson County Industrial Park – Tax Map #73.20-1-2.172 – 40,000 Square Foot Spec Building – Site Plan.
No one was present.
Circle K/Jimmy John’s/Wendy’s – Corner of NYS Route 12F – Tax Map #82.08-1-3.1 & County Route 196 – Gas Station.
Jefferson County Department of Planning comments dated 8/27/25 were entered into record (Attachment #1).
Pat Scordo and Connor Chawgo, GYMO, and Michael Talerico, Briad Development submitted revised drawings for Circle K, Jimmy John’s, & Wendy’s, Corner of NYS Route 12F, Tax Map #82.08-1-3.1 & County Route 196.
The revised plans do not include the proposed 70′ high-rise sign as they are waiting on the completion of a balloon test on visual impact to submit to the Town of Watertown Zoning Board of Appeals at their October 6, 2025 meeting concerning their variance request.
The two signs on the proposed plans are in compliance with zoning regulations.
They are still working with the State and County Department of Transportation regarding the highway permit process at the entrances to the site. Final permits will come after site plan approval.
They are still working with the town attorney regarding water and sewer easements. Once the have an agreement in writing, they will coordinate with the Town of Watertown Highway Superintendent, Ted Clement.
At this time, the City of Watertown has place a restriction on future water and sewer hook ups for any new project in the Town of Watertown.
Per the Town Supervisor, Joel Bartlett, he has been in contact with the City Manager but still does not have the issues resolved.
Mr. Vaas is still working on SEQR. He is waiting on input from Fish & Wildlife Services in Auburn, NY regarding the impact of lighting at night to the Indiana Bat.
It is the consensus of the Board that they are in favor of the project but would like to wait an additional month to finalize loose ends before they issue site plan approval.
-4-
Crescent FH Corp (Former Metal Craft) – 22620 County Route 196 – Tax Map #73.20–10.52 – Site Plan/Sign Permit.
The Board review paperwork emailed to Mrs. Desormo regarding site plan and proposed signage for Crescent FH Corp, 22620 County Route 196. Discussion followed.
Motion 76-25: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded by Mr. Boxberger to waive site plan review for Crescent FH Corp located at 22620 County Route 196, Tax Map #73.20-10.52 as there will be no changes to the outside of the building and it is still considered manufacturing use.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Motion 77-25: Motion by Mrs. Desormo, seconded y Mr. Boxberger to grant sign approval to Crescent FH Corp, 22620 County Route 196, Tax Map #73.20-10.52 for a 36″ x 24″ sign over the front entrance, a 48″ x 24″ sign by the road, a 2nd 48″ x 36″ shipping/receiving entrance sign, and 192″ x 36″ lettering on the back of the building facing I-81 as shown on plans submitted by the applicant.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Motion 78-25: Motion by Mr. Boxberger, seconded by Mr. MacAdam to scheduled a special meeting of the Town of Watertown Planning Board with the Tug Hill Commission on Monday, September 29, 2025 at 2:45 p.m. to discuss project review.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
Motion 79-25: Motion by Mr. MacAdam, seconded by Mr. Smith to adjourn the meeting at 4:28 p.m.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
__________
Susan Burdick
Secretary