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A major portion of the Town Of Lansing could some day be rezoned to favor farming if a draft of Lansing's Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan is approved by the Town Board.  After more than six years developing the plan, the 46 page plan will help protect a $20 million industry and over 17,000 acres of  farmland in the most vibrant farming community in Tompkins County.

"By protecting agriculture in North Lansing and encouraging development in South Lansing, the town will preserve economic activity generated by farming enterprises including $20 million dollars in product sales and jobs for at least 100 people," the plan states.  "In addition to the economic contribution of agriculture, it is important to recognize the value of high quality soils that are not replaceable once developed.  Farming is viable in Lansing because of its high quality soils."

The keystone of the plan is to create a new AG zone in North Lansing.  It would replace most, but not all of what is now zoned RA (Rural Agricultural).  Allowed uses of properties in the AG zone would be more limited than in remaining RA zones.  A major exception would be northern Lansing lakefront properties that would continue to be zoned L1, and a band of RA properties abutting the L1 zone.  Specific uses such as family dwellings, various types of farming, rooming houses, limited types of shops, mini-storage and farm buildings would be assigned to the AG zone.  Those uses would also be allowed in RA zones with additional uses permitted including nursing homes, banks, mini-marts, warehouses, research laboratories, multi-family dwellings, and so on.


"It is complex," said Cornell Cooperative Extension Agriculture Program Leader Monika Roth.  "Sometimes explaining the fact that these are recommendations -- we're not suggesting any laws here -- and I think I heard a few people interpreted it.  In reality it is hard for some people to understand what a plan is, what it really means... that it's a guidance document, information for future Planning Boards and Town Boards."

Farming is a significant industry in Lansing.  Overall farm sales are estimated at approximately $20 million with about $17 million of that coming from dairy farms.  Lansing farms generate almost one-third of the $67 million total farm product sales in the Tompkins County.  Lansing farms provide at least 40 full time jobs for owners and operators and at least 60 part-time or seasonal jobs, with a combined payroll of at least $3 million.  There are 8,472 acres of Lansing farmland farmed by owners, and an additional 8,570 acres leased.

Creating an AG zone is one of four recommendations that plan suggests for immediate action.  They are:

1. Create a new Ag Zone in the predominantly agricultural area of north Lansing
2. Revisit the definition of agriculture in the current zoning document and consider revising it to reflect current farming activities and to be consistent with NYS Agriculture & Market Law 305a (as per recommendations on page xx of this report).
3. Continue to remain informed about the status of the NYSEG/AES land so that land that is currently rented by farmers may be available to rent after sale to a new owner, in particular if the owner is NYS DEC.
4. Identify high priority area/parcels for State Farmland Protection funding to purchase permanent agricultural easements on farm land that is high quality and that serves as a buffer to protect other active farming areas of the town.  Establish criteria for identifying such parcels and actively reach out to landowners to assess interest in selling agricultural easements.

There was much discussion of proposed allowed uses specifically listed in the plan, as well as a disagreement about the scope of the proposed AG zone.  Code/Fire Enforcement Officer & Building Inspector Lynn Day suggested a 300 foot band of RA zoning along major thoroughfares within the AG zone to allow more business uses.  But Planning Consultant George R. Frantz argued for a solid farming zoneto reduce competition for the land.

The plan notes that key concerns solicited by Lansing Farmers include:

• Agricultural policies
• Risks to farming operations
• Development pressure
• Maintenance of rural roads
• Demand for good farmland among farmers
• Taxes
• Land Rented vs. Owned
• The Next Generation of Farmers
• Economic Realities of Farming

The plan is posted on the home page of the Lansing Town Web site.  Lansing Town Planning Consultant Michael Long estimated that a final version will be ready to be approved by the Town Board in a few months.  Supervisor Kathy Miller said acceptance of the plan will be considered in a joint meeting of the Planning Board and Town Board.

Once approved the plan calls for a new Town Farming Committee to be formed.  The plan recommends it be comprised of 'at least 5 active farmers, a liaison from the Town Board, a liaison from the Planning Board, Town staff (zoning or planning), and at least 1 rural non-farmer landowner.'  It further recommends recruiting local farmers to run for Town Board or serve on the Town Planning Board, Board of Zoning Appeals, Conservation Committee, and Comprehensive Plan update Committee.

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