As the Town of Lansing prepares to overhaul its zoning laws, more than 1,500 residents, business owners, and local leaders are calling on the Town Board to hit pause on large-scale development.
A petition submitted this week urges the board to adopt a one-year moratorium on major projects while it rewrites the zoning code — a move supporters say is critical to protect the Finger Lakes’ environment and economy.
Concerns about unchecked development
The petition warns that without a moratorium, corporations could rush in and take advantage of outdated zoning rules before new protections are in place. Advocates argue this could undermine long-term planning, threaten Cayuga Lake’s ecosystem, and damage the region’s $4 billion agriculture and tourism industries.
“The Finger Lakes are not for sale,” said Yvonne Taylor, co-founder of Seneca Lake Guardian, one of several groups backing the effort. “We will not stand by while corporate interests try to bulldoze it for profit.”
The moratorium would not affect existing projects or small businesses, according to supporters. Its goal is to give the town breathing room to thoughtfully reshape development policies without facing pressure from incoming proposals.
Wide support from across the region
In addition to hundreds of residents, the petition was signed by more than 50 businesses and organizations, including the Finger Lakes Craft Beverage Environmental Coalition, Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter, and Cayuga Lake Watershed Network.
The group’s letter describes the Finger Lakes as “a place rich with fresh water, clean air, and a healthy environment,” noting its central role in New York’s economy and identity. The region is also currently under review for a National Heritage Designation by Congress.
Town Board decision expected in November
The vote on the moratorium was delayed until November, a move advocates say benefits corporate developers more than the public.
Supporters of the pause say it’s about protecting the area’s unique character and ensuring the new zoning code reflects the values and needs of the people who live there.
“We strongly urge you to take this vital step to protect your community, your fellow neighbors in the broader Finger Lakes, and the environment,” the petition concludes.
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