Watertown City Zoning Code
ARTICLE X
Site Plan Review
§ 310-103 Applicability.
A.
Site plans, prepared and approved in accordance with the provisions of this article, shall be required to assist the Planning Commission in the review of certain applications for building permits, special use permits and certificates of occupancy, and to assure compliance with all applicable requirements of this chapter.
B.
This article applies to all uses as indicated with an S or SUP in the Use Table unless exempt pursuant to this article.
§ 310-104 Exemptions.
A.
Where the space proposed for occupancy is within an existing building or structure that will not undergo exterior alterations unless the new use is going to require additional parking.
B.
Additions or expansion to existing buildings when the proposed addition or expansion does not exceed 500 square feet of the gross floor area of the existing building unless the new use is going to require additional parking.
C.
Any permitted use on a temporary basis for a period not to exceed one year.
D.
For uses indicated with a DR in the Use Table, the Planning and Community Development Department may waive the requirement for site plan review.
§ 310-105 Coordination with other permits and approvals.
A.
Site plan review shall be included as an integral part of the special use permit approval process, and no separate site plan approval shall be required for uses requiring a special use permit.
B.
Area variances. Where a site plan application contains one or more features which do not comply with the dimensional regulations of this chapter, the Planning Commission may refer the area variance application to the Zoning Board of Appeals without a decision or determination by the Bureau of Code Enforcement or Planning and Community Development Department.
§ 310-106 Submission procedures.
[Amended 3-3-2025 by Ord. No. 1-2025]
A.
Preapplication meeting. Prior to submitting an application, an applicant may request a preapplication meeting with Planning and Community Development Department staff, and others as may be appropriate, to inform the applicant of applicable procedures, submission requirements, development standards and other pertinent matters before the applicant finalizes the development proposal.
B.
Sketch plan conference.
(1)
A meeting shall be held between the Planning and Community Development Department and the applicant to review the basic site design concept. Department staff may recommend revisions or modifications as appropriate to ensure that the proposed development will be in harmony with the rest of the community and environment. The applicant shall provide the following:
(a)
Brief description of the proposed project.
(b)
General site plan of proposed improvements drawn to scale.
(c)
An area map at the scale of one inch equals 2,000 feet depicting the parcel under consideration for site plan review, and all properties, water bodies, streets, and easements within 200 feet of the property boundaries.
(d)
A map of site topography at no more than five-foot contour intervals. If general site grades exceed 5% or if portions of the site have susceptibility to erosion, flooding, or ponding, a soil overlay and a topographic map showing contour intervals of not more than two feet of elevation should be provided.
(2)
After staff review, upon referral to the Planning Commission, the Commission may determine that the information provided is sufficient to grant approval and may waive further site plan review and approve the sketch plan as agreed to by the applicant and the Planning and Community Development Department if the Commission determines that such approval is in the interest of the public health, safety, and welfare. If the site plan is not approved based on the sketch plan, the Planning Commission will inform the applicant of additional information required for formal site plan review.
C.
Site plan application submission requirements.
(1)
Applications for site plan approval shall be made to the Planning Commission using forms supplied by, and delivered to, the Planning and Community Development Department.
(2)
The applicant shall provide an electronic copy of the application to the Planning and Community Development Department.
(3)
The applicant shall submit the fee as established in the City of Watertown fee schedule and any required escrow deposit for review costs, as required by the Planning Commission. The application shall not be deemed complete unless such fee is paid.
(4)
The Planning Commission shall determine whether the application is complete. Once the Planning Commission has determined the application is complete, the sixty-two-day review period begins, unless it is extended by mutual consent.
D.
Identification of required site plan information.
(1)
The Planning Commission shall adopt a list of required information for site plan applications. This list may be updated by the Planning Commission as necessary.
(2)
At a minimum, all site plan applications shall provide the following information as applicable to the project.
(a)
The proposed use or uses and a general description of the proposed development.
(b)
A site plan drawn to a scale of not less than 50 feet to the inch on one or more sheets, illustrating the proposed development and use and including the following:
[1]
The boundary lines and dimensions of the subject property; existing subdivision lots; available utilities; and easements, roadways, railroads, rail lines and public rights-of-way crossing and adjacent to the subject property.
[2]
Adequacy and arrangement of vehicular traffic access and circulation, including intersections, road widths, pavement surfaces, dividers and traffic control.
[3]
Potential for cross access agreements where feasible.
[4]
Adequacy and arrangement of pedestrian traffic access and circulation, walkway structures, control of intersections with vehicular traffic and overall pedestrian convenience.
[5]
Location, arrangement, appearance and sufficiency of off-street parking and loading.
[6]
Location, arrangement, size, design and general site compatibility of buildings, lighting and signs.
[7]
Adequacy of stormwater and drainage facilities.
[8]
Adequacy of water and sewage disposal facilities.
[9]
Adequacy, type and arrangement of trees, shrubs and other landscaping constituting a visual and/or noise buffer between the applicant's and adjoining lands, including the maximum retention of existing vegetation. (subject to landscaping guidelines).
[10]
Protection of adjacent or neighboring properties against noise, glare, odor, unsightliness, or other objectionable features.
[11]
Adequacy of fire lanes and other emergency zones and the provisions of fire hydrants.
[12]
Special attention to the adequacy of structures, roadways, and landscaping in areas with susceptibility to ponding, flooding and/or erosion.
[13]
Overall sensitivity to the environment.
(3)
The Planning Commission may require that any plans required as part of a site plan application be stamped by a licensed professional land surveyor, engineer, architect, landscape architect or other appropriate licensed professional as applicable.
§ 310-107 Planning Commission review criteria.
The Planning Commission's review of site plan applications shall include, but not limited to, the following criteria:
A.
The proposed use's compatibility and consistency with the goals and recommendations of the City of Watertown Comprehensive Plan, Complete Streets Policy, and other approved City plans and programs.
B.
Adequacy and arrangement of vehicular traffic access and circulation, including intersections, road widths, pavement surfaces, dividers and traffic controls.
C.
Adequacy and arrangement of pedestrian traffic access and circulation, walkway structures, control of intersections with vehicular traffic and overall pedestrian convenience.
D.
Location, arrangements, appearance and sufficiency of off-street parking and loading as required by this chapter.
E.
Location, arrangement, size, design and general site compatibility of buildings as required by this chapter.
F.
Adequacy of stormwater and drainage facilities as required by this chapter and by Chapter 260 of the City Code, Stormwater Management and Erosion and Sediment Control.
G.
Adequacy of water supply and sewage disposal facilities.
H.
Adequacy of fire lanes and other emergency zones and the provisions of fire hydrants.
I.
Compliance with the outdoor lighting standards of this chapter.
J.
Adequacy, type and arrangement of trees, shrubs and other landscaping constituting a visual and/or noise buffer between the applicant's and adjoining lands, including the maximum retention of existing vegetation as required in this chapter.
K.
Adequacy of structures, roadways and landscaping in areas with susceptibility to ponding, flooding and/or erosion.
L.
Adequacy of protection of the City's natural resources, including waterways and open spaces, steep slopes and scenic viewsheds.
M.
Protection of adjacent or neighboring properties against noise, glare, odor, unsightliness or other objectionable features.
§ 310-108 Public hearing for site plan review.
Public hearing.
A.
The Planning Commission may conduct a public hearing on the site plan. Such hearing shall be held within 62 days of the date that the Planning Commission determines that the application for site plan review is complete and shall be advertised in the City's official newspaper or, if there is none, in a newspaper of general circulation in the City at least five days before the public hearing.
B.
In addition, a copy of the public notice shall be mailed to property owners within 200 feet of the property boundaries 10 days prior to the meeting date.
§ 310-109 Planning Commission decision.
A.
Within 62 days of a public hearing, or a complete application without a public hearing the Planning Commission shall make a decision unless the period is extended by mutual agreement between the applicant and the Planning Commission.
B.
A copy of the decision shall be filed in the City Clerk's office within five business days. The approval or approval with modifications and/or conditions shall include authorization to the Planning Commission Chairperson or Clerk of the Planning Commission to stamp and sign the site plan upon the applicant's compliance with applicable conditions and the submission requirements stated herein.
C.
If the Planning Commission's resolution includes a requirement that modifications be incorporated in the site plan, conformance with these modifications shall be considered a condition of approval. If the site plan is disapproved, the Planning Commission may recommend further study of the site plan and resubmission to the Planning Commission after it has been revised or redesigned.
D.
A copy of the decision (resolution) shall be mailed to the applicant with a request for signature. No building permit shall be issued by the Bureau of Code Enforcement without the applicant's signature of acknowledgment on the site plan resolution.
E.
The Planning Commission's decision shall be provided to the Bureau of Code Enforcement.
§ 310-110 Expiration of review.
The site plan approval granted shall expire 18 months from the date of approval unless a building permit is secured and work has commenced on the approved activity. All work must be completed within two years of issuance of a building permit unless:
A.
A different, specified time limit is established during project review by the Planning Commission and included in the approval; or
B.
The applicant requests an extension of time needed to secure a building permit. Such request shall be granted at the discretion of the Planning and Community Development Department.
C.
The extension of a building permit shall be at the discretion of the Bureau of Code Enforcement.