By unanimous vote the Town of Lancaster adopted a local law establishing a one-year Moratorium on Applications, Approvals and Construction of Commercial Residential Development.

The purpose of this Local Law is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the Town of Lancaster and to maintain the status quo as to certain commercial residential development in the Town, as the current zoning regulations of the Town of Lancaster do not adequately address this use. This moratorium will temporarily stop the processing of applications for and the issuance of permits, certificates of occupancy, and approvals for certain commercial residential development land uses, including but not limited to apartment building complexes. The moratorium is for a period of one (1) year, allowing the Town Board to analyze and determine potential appropriate revisions and amendments to the Town of Lancaster Zoning Code and the Town of Lancaster Master Comprehensive Plan concerning this use.

Supervisor Robert Leary sponsored the resolution. Before casting their votes Councilmembers Burkard, Dickman, and Studley spoke on their reasons for their ‘yes’ votes. They all spoke on the need for a ‘pause’ to examine the Town’s Comprehensive Plan and make zoning modifications to ensure that future town growth follows ‘smart growth’ principles to ensure the community’s best interests are served.

Councilmember Burkard spoke on land and environmental issues - easements in the past that were sold to developers. Loopholes Will be searched for that are not in the best interest for Lancaster. Comprehensive Plan town traffic studies (not on state or county roads) will be investigated all in making Lancaster’s future growth in the best interest of the community.

Councilmember Studley spoke on being a longtime resident and seeing the unique challenges brought on by overdevelopment; resident traffic and traffic safety issues attributable to unrestrained development, infrastructure and water pressure issues. “This resolution will not only define this board but will determine who is sovereign in Lancaster, the special interests or the people.”

Councilmember Dickman spoke saying the other board members covered just about everything and added that this moratorium was temporary and in no way anti-development. “We want responsible development. It is not an attack on anyone. We just want to help the residents. We should not have residents suffer because of infringement from development – especially to lifelong residents.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwZXo5NFS-Y

From the 45-minute mark.