• Black River and Park Development
• Downtown Revitalization
• Zoning Administration
• Economic Development Projects
• Tree Watertown
• Housing Programs
• Historic Preservation
• Brownfields Assessment
• Projects, Proposals & Programs
• Miscellaneous Requests
  
  

Black River and Park Development:

The Planning Office has always felt that the Black River and Thompson Park are invaluable assets to Watertown that are not being developed to their full potential.  A number of projects were completed in the late 1980's and early 1990's.  Efforts to improve both areas continue today.

The Planning & Community Development Coordinator is the City's representative on the Black River Fund Committee and is working with other Black River interest groups.

The Planning Office is also overseeing the implementation of a Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan for the Black River.  SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry (ESF) completed the public participation portion of the project in the Spring of 2003.  A consultant will be hired to continue with the planning process.

Black River Whitewater & Trail Feasibility Study

Black River Guide!

Downtown Revitalization:

One of the primary reasons for forming the Planning Office was to assist with downtown revitalization.

The Planning Office is currently managing the Downtown Watertown Streetscape Enhancement Project.  This $1.5 million project will provide for streetscape improvements in the Public Square Area including new curbing, sidewalks, brick pavers, street trees, tree grates, ornamental streetlights, and improved pedestrian connections and access.

Link to the DOWNTOWN page

Zoning Administration:

The City of Watertown has had a zoning ordinance since 1922.  Planning Board administration was transferred form the Engineering Department to the Planning Office in 1986.  The Planning and Community Development Coordinator has been acting Zoning Enforcement Officer since
January 2, 1998.

Planning Board administration includes one-on-one consultations with applicants, preparation of Planning Board Agendas, writing the site plan review reports (with input from Engineering on site plans), assistance at Board meetings, writing the Minutes, and preparation of City Council resolutions and reports.  The duties of the Zoning Enforcement Officer include one-on-one consultations with property owners, giving opinions on the interpretation of the Zoning Ordinance and consulting with the Code Enforcement Bureau on enforcement actions.  Planning staff attends Zoning Board of Appeals meetings and provides assistance.  Planning also drafts ordinance amendments when requested.

Economic Development Projects:

This category includes economic development outside of downtown.  The Planning Office's role has been to assist when needed, particularly within the Empire Zone.  Planning is represented on the Jefferson County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee.

The Office has been involved in the City Center Industrial Park project from concept to reimbursement of funds.  Planning staff has also worked on revising the mapping and boundary description of the Empire Zone.

Housing Programs:

The City with the help of Community Development Block Grants has operated a Homeownership program.  With the City Council's interest in property maintenance and community policing, a housing rehabilitation program was re-instituted in 2000.

The Planning Office is responsible for CDBG consultant contract administration, assistance with the preparation of CDBG grants, oversight of CDBG administration, and program delivery and approval of homeowner applications.

The City has recently received funding for the implementation of a North Side Neighborhood Home Repair Program.  This grant will target the City's North side and will provide funding for qualified homeowners to repair and rehabilitate existing housing

For additional information on first-time homebuyers and housing rehabilitation programs call Neighbors of Watertown at (315) 782-8497 or visit www.neighborsofwatertown.com.

Historic Preservation:

Historic Preservation is understood by the Planning Office to be an important economic and community development tool.

Our most recent and current projects deal with Flower Memorial Library.  Roof and interior renovations have been made and the two fountains were made operable.  The next phase is to repair the front plaza.

Miscellaneous Requests:

The Planning Office is often asked for information by the public and by other City staff on such things as demographics and environmental reviews.  Planning staff also participates in activities, when requested, that may not fall within one of the above categories.

Brownfields Assessment

This plan will focus on getting the public involved using such means as the media, task core members, flyers.

Community meetings will be designed to bring together community groups, investors, lenders, developers, and other affected parties to address the issues of cleaning up the sites contaminated with hazardous substances and returning them to appropriate, productive use.

Community meetings will be held on a regular basis. See our calendar for meeting dates. The current site Inventory list consists of:

• Frink Manufacturing in Clayton
• Harrings Mill in Herrings
• Land Bank in Sackets Harbor
• Black CLawson I & II in Watertown
• Watertown Ctr for Business & Industry, Watertown
• SPX Foundry (former General Signal) in Watertown
• Ogilvie Foods in Watertown
• Newell St Properties in Watertown
• Iron Block/Woodruff II Site in Watertown
• Woolworth Building in Watertown

Projects, Proposals & Programs

Recent community development projects have included a first time homebuyers program, a tree planting program, mid the Roswell P. Flower Library rehabilitation. In the near future, additional river access improvements will be completed with funding from the Black River Fund to compliment the Veterans' Memorial Riverwalk and Waterworks Park. "Watertown" signs will also be constructed at the City's entrance routes.

The Zoning Ordinance is being rewritten to bring it up to date and make it easier to use. Assistance is also being given with the drafting of a property maintenance code.

In order to implement some of the programs in the areas of park development, economic development, historic preservation and first time homebuyers, the Planning Office writes grant applications and administers the grants. The funds for the first time homebuyers programs have recently been completely expended. The library rehabilitation project, which is partially funded by the Environmental Protection Fund, is currently underway. Another grant, recently received from Empire State Development Corp., is for a feasibility study for the Arcade Revitalization Area.

Grant applications have been submitted through the Community Development Block Grant Program for two economic development projects including expansion of Alteri Bakery and a microenterprise program for downtown.