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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESOLUTION 26-132 RESOLUTION 26-132 RESOLUTION INTRODUCING PROPOSED LOCAL LAW#_OF 2026 OF THE TOWN OF LANSING TO AMEND CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE CODE OF THE TOWN OF LANSING CHAPTER 270: ZONING AND SCHEDULING PUBLIC HEARING FOR SAID PROPOSED LOCAL LAW WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Lansing is authorized to provide for the governance of the town and guide development and land uses in the town; and WHEREAS,the Town Board is authorized to adopt zoning provisions and local laws that advance and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the community; and WHEREAS, on July 14, 2026, Governor Hochul issued Executive Order 62 Establishing a Temporary Moratorium on Data Centers in New York while the State Develops Higher Standards for Data Center Development and Benefits Blueprint to Support Localities; and WHEREAS, Executive Order 62 creates considerable uncertainty for the Town of Lansing; and WHEREAS, the Town Board has concerns regarding the potential impacts of the siting and operation of cryptocurrency data mines and data centers on land use development, energy use, water use, water quality, air quality, noise, lighting, quality of life, and other potential environmental impacts that impact the health, safety, and welfare of the community; and WHEREAS, the Town Board determined it is in the best interests of the Town of Lansing to take action regarding the potential siting and operation of cryptocurrency data mines and data centers; and WHEREAS, said proposed Local Law proposes amending Town of Lansing Zoning Code § 270- 3 by defining"Cryptocurrency", "Cryptocurrency Data Mine", "Data Center", "General Processing" and otherwise taking no action to amend the Schedule of Land Uses or Activities; WHEREAS, the Code of the Town of Lansing § 270-8 provides that any land use not specifically permitted under Chapter 270 shall be a disallowed use unless a use variance therefor shall be properly obtained, unless such use is a lawful pre-existing, non-conforming use, or unless such use is permitted in any newly created zone; and WHEREAS, the Town of Lansing Zoning Board of Appeals previously interpreted general processing to include anything that can be processed by a business; WHEREAS, the Town Board has determined that it is necessary to define "General Processing" so that such use only includes the processing of tangible materials, commodities, or products and does not include facilities whose principal function is the storage,processing, transmission, or management of digital data by computer servers or other information technology equipment; WHEREAS,without such corresponding amendment to define general processing, one could continue to interpret the Schedule of Land Uses or Activities to permit data centers as facilities for general processing; WHEREAS, the Town Board has determined that this action is a Type I SEQRA Action due to said proposed Local Law proposing to change the allowed uses in one or more zones that are in excess of 25 acres; and WHEREAS, the Town Board is the only Involved Agency and thus hereby declares itself as Lead Agency for environmental review; and WHEREAS, the Town Board has determined that this proposed action is subject to General Municipal Law § 239-m; and WHEREAS, the Town Board has determined that this proposed action is subject to Town Zoning Code § 270-58; and WHEREAS,upon deliberation there upon, the Town Board of the Town of Lansing it is hereby RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to cause a copy of said proposed Local Law to be delivered to the Town of Lansing Planning Board and the Tompkins County Planning Department; and it is further RESOLVED, that a public hearing will be held on the 17t'day of November, 2026, at 6:31 pm, to consider public input and comments upon such proposed Local Law, and to hear all persons, at the Lansing Middle School Auditorium at 6 Ludlowville Road, Lansing,New York, interested in the subject thereof, and to take such action thereon as is required or permitted by law; and it is further RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk of the Town of Lansing, Tompkins County,New York, is hereby authorized and directed to cause a Notice of Public Hearing to be published in the official newspaper of the Town of Lansing, and also to post a copy thereof on the Town signboard maintained by the Town Clerk, in accord with the law; and it is further RESOLVED, the Town Board is the only Involved Agency and thus hereby declares itself as Lead Agency for environmental review. The question of the adoption of such Resolution was duly motioned by Councilperson Joseph Wetmore, duly seconded by Councilperson Laurie Hemmings, and put to a roll call vote with the following results: Councilperson Judy Drake—Noe Councilperson Laurie Hemmings—Aye Councilperson Christine Montague—Noe Councilperson Joseph Wetmore—Aye Supervisor Ruth Groff—Aye Accordingly, the foregoing Resolution was approved, carried, and duly adopted as amended on October 21, 2026.