HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution Approving CAC 2019 Annual Report (19-165)RESOLUTION 19-165
RESOLUTION APPROVING THE TOWN OF LANSING
CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL 2019 ANNUAL REPORT
The following Resolution was duly presented for consideration by the Town Board:
WHEREAS, per Town Board Resolution 19-49 the Conservation Advisory Council was
authorized to perform certain functions for the Town and to act in an advisory capacity under
General Municipal Law § 239-x; and
WHEREAS, the aforementioned Resolution and General Municipal Law 239-x(f) require the
Conservation Advisory Council to file required annual reports with the Town Board on or before
the thirty-first day of December of each and every year, and once approved by the Town Board, to
send a copy thereof to the New York State Commissioner of Environmental Conservation; and
Town of Lansing
Conservation Advisory Council
2019 Annual Report
Formation
The Town Board of the Town of Lansing adopted Resolution 19-49 creating the Conservation
Advisory Council (hereafter “CAC”) on January 16, 2019. On May 15, 2019, the Town Board
directed the Director of Planning to set about advertising for appointments for the Conservation
Advisory Council. The Director of Planning sent a fillable application and fact sheet on the
duties of CAC to nine potential applicants on May 17, 2019; announced the availability of CAC
positions at two separate Planning Board meetings in May and June, respectively; and, prepared
an article seeking applicants for CAC membership in the Town’s May 2019 Newsletter.
The following members were appointed by Town Board Resolution on June 19, 2019:
Andra Benson, Liaison to Town Board, term to expire December 31, 2020
Robyn Bailey, term to expire December 31, 2020
Tom Butler, Liaison to Planning Board, term to expire December 31, 2020
Karen Edelstein, term to expire December 31, 2020
John Fleming, term to expire December 31, 2021
John Greenly, term to expire December 31, 2021
Carrie Koplinka-Loehr, term to expire December 31, 2021
Todd Walter, term to expire December 31, 2021
David Wolfe, term to expire December 31, 2021
Natural Resources Inventory (NRI)
The CAC is responsible for developing and maintaining an NRI and Open Space Index under
NYS General Municipal Law § 239-x. The CAC worked on compiling data to provide a
baseline of information for helping Town officials, residents, and developers make informed and
environmentally sound land use decisions. Planning staff evaluated the Town’s existing physical
maps and digital data inventory to have a better understanding of what information and assets
had been developed or collected thus far. The Town Planning Department will be acquiring an
ArcGIS license in January to help advance the NRI and Open Space Index in 2020.
Climate Smart Communities
On November 7, 2019, the Conservation Advisory Council unanimously recommended the
adoption of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Climate Smart
Communities pledge in order to engage with Cornell Cooperative Extension to develop planning
documents, including the aforementioned Natural Resource Inventory, which will further
Comprehensive Plan Goal NR-7A “to complete an Open Space Inventory prioritizing open areas
in Lansing for conservation based on natural, scenic, and cultural values” as defined in section
239-y of the General Municipal Law.
Presentation by Bob Beck, Town of Dryden Conservation Board
On September 17, 2019, Bob Beck of the Town of Dryden Conservation Board spoke to CAC
members about his experience on the Board.
Tompkins County Environmental Management Council Liaison
On November 7, 2019, the CAC recommended Andra Benson be appointed to the Tompkins
County Environmental Management Council (EMC). Tompkins County Legislature appointed
Andra Benson to the EMC on December 3, 2019.
Prepared by C.J. Randall, Director of Planning, December 6, 2019
WHEREAS, upon due deliberation thereupon, the Town Board of the Town of Lansing has hereby:
RESOLVED, the Town Board of the Town of Lansing has received and accepted the Town of
Lansing Conservation Advisory Council 2019 Annual Report.
Adopted December 18, 2019