Damn. So much for a denser Lansing.
Lansing tables sewer plan
Journal Staff Reports
Citing costs that have grown too great, the Town of Lansing board voted today to table for the foreseeable future any more work on the proposed sewer system for the town.
A sewer serving most of the lower portion of the town has been under discussion since at least the mid-1990s. Proponents of the sewer say the project is needed for the town board to control development and preserve the rural feeling Lansing has on the north side of town.
Housing and commercial development in much of the town is dictated by the need for septic systems, which can be extra costly because of thin soils and high groundwater. Relying on septic also drives up housing costs and makes it hard to concentrate development in any one spot. Failing or poor-performing septic tanks can also threaten groundwater, including larger creeks and even Cayuga Lake.
A referendum that could lead to establishing a sewer district and building the system was envisioned for September. In December, the town Sewer Committee decided against holding a referendum this past spring, in part to see if costs could be reduced.
Town officials said the sewer could be proposed again, but for now, it’s clear that the estimated $18 million price tag and the resultant costs to homeowners for hooking up and regular service is too great. Annual costs were estimated to be as high as several hundred dollars a year, in addition to initial installation costs. Just last week, on June 28, the town Sewer Committee decided on an initial service area extending from just east of Warren Road to Eastlake Road.
http://ithacajournal.com/apps/pbcs.d...EWS01/70706006