Lansing explores zoning ban on data centers
Lansing officials are considering a zoning amendment that would effectively prohibit data centers in the town. The Planning Board postponed its discussion until Nov. 9, with a public hearing on the proposed law scheduled for Nov. 17 amid continuing resident divisions and opposition linked to a proposed TeraWulf project.
The Lansing Town Board is pursuing a local zoning amendment that would define data centers and cryptocurrency mining operations but exclude them from the town’s list of permitted land uses. The change would effectively block new data centers unless developers obtain a zoning variance. A public hearing is scheduled for Nov. 17.
The Lansing Planning Board delayed its review because members had not had enough time to consult legal counsel, examine relevant laws and planning documents, or determine which agencies and consultants should provide input. Board Chair Dean Shea and Vice Chair Thomas Butler said the proposal needed more thorough consideration before discussion.
The proposed ban follows more than a year of debate sparked in part by TeraWulf’s announcement that it had leased part of the former Cayuga Power Plant campus for conversion into a data center. Residents remain divided, with some supporting a ban and others favoring additional study or a moratorium to preserve potential economic development. A prior one-year moratorium proposal was dropped in 2025.