HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-06-01 CAC MinutesTown of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council
Minutes of meeting 6-1-23: 6:30 pm via Zoom
In Attendance: Carrie A. Koplinka-Loehr, Edward Dubovi, David Wolfe, Gabrielle Desnoes, Ruth Groff
(Lansing Town Board liaison)
Absent: Todd Walter, Karen Edelstein, Robin Bailey, John Fleming, Adam Buck;
Bergmann Associates: Katie Darcy and John Steinmetz
Presentation: How the Non-Pipes Alternatives Program relates to Lansing
Agnes Guillo, Community Educator, Cornell Cooperative Extension, gave a presentation
on the NPA for the southern portion of the Town of Lansing. Since 2015, there has been a
moratorium on new natural gas service in the Lansing area due to a failure to secure approval
of a new natural gas pipeline to the area. The NPA program was initiated to try and reduce
demand for natural gas in the target area. A major part of the initiative is the potential for
enhanced rebates on the installation of “heat pump” technology for homeowners now on
natural gas service. Free home energy audits are available through Earth Sensitive Solutions to
assess the feasibility of switching to geothermal or atmospheric heat pumps. The town is
divided into three zones with different rebate options. The key factor is the energy audit as
each home presents different challenges to utilize the rebate program. Questions on the
program should be directed to CCETC.
Open Space Index Update: Katie Darcy, John Steinmetz; Bergmann Associates
Questions were raised at the last CAC meeting as to the validity of using the viewshed data in
the ranking of properties for the OSI. The issue was that the data were not derived from a systematic
assessment of all areas of the Town. Katie divided the OSI rankings into three categories – low, medium,
and high. This permitted an assessment of whether the viewshed data had a significant impact on the
rankings of the parcels. As it turned out, only two parcels moved from the high to middle ranking when
the viewshed data was excluded. Interestingly, these two parcels are already under easements.
Viewshed data will be available if and when parcels in the high category are being assessed for
easement considerations. With this issue settled, Bergmann will move to constructing the narrative for
the OSI. The timeframe for the rough draft was proposed to be two weeks before the August CAC
meeting so that CAC members could review the document before the August meeting. A “story map”
will be developed following the draft of the narrative with a proposed availability timeframe of
Sept/Oct. With draft products available, a public meeting will be scheduled to review the products and
entertain comments on the acceptability of the OSI products. Timeframe for this will be late Oct/Nov.
Work Plan for the CAC
The initial workplan for the CAC was examined to determine which items needed to be
updated and what changes might be necessary as to priorities. A number of the items are
dependent upon actions of the Town Board such a consideration of the Scenic Byway Overlay
District and the redesignation of the CAC to become a conservation board. With the
completion of the OSI, conservation board consideration is the logical next step. There may be
an opportunity to consult on efforts to establish new Environment Protection Overlay Districts
during zoning reviews.
Miscellaneous
- Carrie introduced the issue of starting the recruitment of new council members earlier than in
previous years – Dec. This would give us a better opportunity to recruit interested individuals.
She will present this issue to the Town Board.
- Robyn will give a 10 min talk on “birds” to the NYSACC in September.
- There were no items presented from various committee reps.