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New York State Senator Mike Nozzolio announced last Friday that Governor Paterson had signed legislation he sponsored and enacted that will remove deed restrictions on 146.831 acres of land north of Route 34 B from New York State.  The restrictions limited use of the land to recreation, town hall, and town community center uses.  This legislation removes those restrictions and clears a major hurdle so that the Town can use the land for a town center and business park.

“The Town of Lansing is one of the fastest growing communities in the Finger Lakes Region and this legislation will allow Lansing to move forward and reach its goals for economic development,” said Senator Nozzolio.

The Town bought the land in late 1992, paying the State $19,500.  It was financed through a bond that has been long paid off.  But the State could reclaim the land if the Town used it for other than the limited stated purposes.

A Town Center Committee is currently studying the possibilities for creating a town center, and the land across the street from the town ballfields has always been considered by many to be a prime location for a town center.  At one point Town Supervisor Scott Pinney proposed moving the ballfields across the street, an acceptable use under the deed restrictions, freeing the current ballfield location for a small commercial/residential center.  Nozzolio's bill makes that step unnecessary.

"On behalf of the Town of Lansing, I thank Senator Nozzolio for his efforts in  the lifting of restrictions on the land purchased by the Town in the early 1990s," said Pinney.  "This will allow Town Officials and the Town Center Committee to move forward with plans to develop this area for commercial and residential use, as well as preserving a portion of the land for additional recreational purposes. This is important for the Town because it will ultimately enhance the tax base not only for Lansing, but Tompkins County as well, while allowing for the creation of new employment opportunities."

As interest has grown in creating a town center town officials have become more active in trying to get the deed restrictions lifted.  Because it was a matter of New York State Law Nozzolio was enlisted to help get the restrictions lifted.  Pinney and Tompkins County Legislator Mike Sigler worked together to enlist the Senator's help.

"It's great having someone so experienced in State Government like Mike who knew how to get this not just through the Senate, but to the Governor's desk," noted Sigler.  "It opens up options for Lansing that just weren't available and now the destiny of Lansing is where it should be, in the hands of those living in town. This is an example of what can get done when the town, county, and state communicate with one another."

“This legislation will remove a major impediment to growth in Lansing and allow it to make the best use of this land while maintaining its unique identity," Nozzolio said.  "It was a pleasure to work with the town, Scott Pinney and Mike Sigler to enact this legislation."

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