Manlius · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Town of Manlius public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Cannabis farm odors in Kirkville
Residents near a state-licensed cannabis farm on Hoag Road say the smell is overwhelming and worry about children nearby. The town is exploring zoning and legislative options but can't act retroactively against the existing farm; a proposal is expected in about a month.
Trash and brush collection bid extension
A resident asked why brush drop-off was cut from five days to one during highway construction. The town says DEC rules limit what it can accept, and it will revisit expanded hours in the spring.
Stop Sign Installations at Two Intersections
Neighbors described speeding, blocked sight lines, near-miss crashes, and a dog killed by a delivery truck to win three-way stops at Coventry Rd South/Tilton Rd and Strawmount Trail/Quarter Horse Run. Both local laws were adopted unanimously.
2027 Fire Protection District Contracts
The town renews annual contracts with the Fayetteville, Minoa, and Manlius fire districts for fire and ambulance service. The Fayetteville contract alone costs about $2.4 million, paid through district property taxes. Votes were pushed to the next meeting.
Property Tax Cap Override for Fiscal Year 2027
The board overrode the state's 2% property tax cap so the 2027 budget — roughly 5% over — can go forward. Members cited healthcare costs up 8.8%, diesel up 75%, and union contract increases. The real number comes with the final budget November 18.
Tree planting program
The Tree Commission will have ten trees planted around town for $1,750 through a letter of understanding with a community organization.
Maxwell facility study and police department review
A $6,750 contract will produce two five-minute videos showing town hall and police department deficiencies ahead of November 12 public forums. Two councilors voted no over narrative control and public-money concerns; scripts will be pre-approved before filming.
Residential well water capacity in the RA district
A neighbor's well ran dry this summer, prompting questions about how new subdivisions affect shared groundwater. The board explained that new wells require engineering and health-department review, and RA zoning's two-acre minimum limits density — and thus well demand — on large parcels.
Battery energy storage system zoning
The town is drafting zoning rules for battery energy storage systems — the same tech people put in garages for electric cars, plus larger commercial installations. Key questions include setbacks, parcel siting, and whether small sites should be accessory uses or separate lots. It'll come to the Planning Board for comment before adoption.
Town Supervisor Election
Manlius voters are getting a direct compare-and-contrast between supervisor candidates Bollinger and Koch on taxes, data centers, and other big local development issues. The winner could influence your tax bill and what gets approved next door, so this race is more than local trivia.
Road paving and salt costs
Salt is up 16% and fuel is budgeted at $5 a gallon, and the board is deciding how many miles of road to pave next year. They want a specific paving plan before committing to a number between $430,000 and $790,000.
Town Clerk compensation
The board debated whether the Town Clerk should get a 6% or 5% raise, noting most town employees earning over $60,000 are getting only about 3.1%. They landed on 5%, citing comparable towns and her extra website and social media duties.
2027 Town Budget
The B-Fund is short because the Twin Ponds project hasn't started construction, so expected building permit fees haven't come in. Budget adjustments are coming.
Residential setback variances for accessory structures and pools
A 40-by-80-foot commercial-storage pole barn next to a residence split the board: height relief passed, but the side-yard setback was denied after a neighbor raised noise and proximity concerns. The applicants still need a rural occupation special use permit from the Planning Board.
Accessory structure height regulations
Board members noted the town's 17-foot height limit comes before them constantly for large buildings because snow-load engineering forces taller trusses. The zoning advisory committee is studying the code.
Unpermitted cannabis greenhouse odor complaints
Neighbors near Hoague and Poolsbrook say a cannabis grow operation built a greenhouse without permits and the smell is overwhelming their homes, with headaches and ruined outdoor activities. The town says enforcement is in motion but constrained by state appeal timelines.
Boardroom audio upgrade
Residents watching meetings online and in person have complained they can't hear. The board picked a $31,767 audio-only fix over a $57,220 full video-and-audio package, using leftover ARPA funds.
Aging in place initiative
The town is launching a survey of residents over 50 in several senior-heavy communities to support a state funding application for a case manager and nurse to help seniors age in place.
Quarter Horse Run speed limit and stop sign
After a family's dog was hit by a delivery truck, residents asked for a 25 mph speed limit and a stop sign on the Quarter Horse Run straightaway where kids play and wait for the bus. The board is sending the speed request to the state and set an October 28 hearing on the stop sign.
Missing middle housing — county On Home LDC
County Legislator Denton presented a new $25 million county fund offering low- and zero-interest loans to build affordable 'missing middle' housing, which could benefit Manlius projects.
Town health insurance switch to Tompkins County consortium
Manlius is leaving its current health plan because rising costs made it unsustainable, and only two insurers would quote the town. Joining the 78-member consortium gives Manlius the same pooled rate as other municipalities and slightly lowers 2027 premiums for singles and families.
Proposed purchase of property within the Town of Manlius
After a closed-door session, the board authorized the Deputy Town Supervisor to negotiate buying property in town. Any final purchase agreement must come back to the board for a public vote.
ZenithCare Mobility Group facility at 6500 Fremont Road
A new medical-transport company will store its vans and operate from a former garage building on Fremont Road. The board approved the site plan with paperwork conditions after lengthy discussion of EAF and survey inconsistencies.
Battery energy storage systems regulation
The town's battery storage moratorium is still in place with a shorter review timeline. Planning Director Poitras will bring a proposal and training materials to the board, covering large commercial 'behind the meter' systems rather than residential ones.
Cluster subdivision density limits
Board members debated whether three large lots on public sewer and water fit the town plan, which calls for denser development where utilities exist. Members acknowledged the zone change was already granted, so the concern is largely forward-looking.
Proposed Cedar Bay pocket community
The town board is talking with developers about small homes with shared common space behind the canal barn area — a housing style aimed at aging-friendly, diverse housing options. It's very early: no site layout, utility, or wetland work is done, and it would likely need a PUD or zoning changes.
Lambert pole barn and rural occupation permit
A landscaping business sought a pole barn to get equipment out of the weather; the board weighed whether dispatching trucks makes it a rural occupation and approved a seven-year permit with dark-sky lighting.
Kale two-lot subdivision on Peck Hill Road
A proposed two-lot subdivision will get its public hearing on October 26; the only real open question is a curb cut on Palmer Road.
2027 Tentative Budget
The first look at the 2027 budget shows no major staffing changes, 3% non-union raises, department supplies cut 10%, and big pending numbers for health insurance (over $2.5M) and a state-mandated retirement program (over $1.5M). Public hearing and vote come in October/November.
Karker Road speed reduction
Karker Road has no posted speed limit, meaning the default 55 mph applies. The town is asking the state to lower it after resident complaints about speeding.
Accessory dwelling units in the R-A district
The new law lets homeowners in the agricultural zone add a small apartment for family or caregivers by special permit, expanding housing options for seniors and lower-income residents while barring short-term rentals.
Kinsella Quarry environmental review
The state DEC agreed the Town Board should lead the environmental review of the quarry zone change. A 30-day notice period begins, and a positive declaration requiring further study is likely.
PUD zoning interpretation conflict
The Town Board and Planning Board disagree on how the PUD provisions in the zoning code work, stalling developer projects — including a mixed-use proposal on North Medical Center Drive. A joint workshop on September 28 aims to fix it.
Town Hall office security locks
After years of complaints, the board spent $19,362 in ARPA funds on keypad locks and lever handles for 28 Town Hall office doors, addressing employee safety and adding ADA-friendly levers.
Three-way stop at Coventry & Tilton
A public hearing is set for October 28 on a three-way stop at the blind intersection of Coventry Road South and Tilton Road, responding to resident requests.
Woodland Hills stormwater violations and stop work order
Residents downstream of the Woodland Hills subdivision described mudslides, clogged culverts, property damage, and a road made impassable during the July 30 storm. The ZBA upheld the stop work order, keeping construction halted until the developer fixes erosion controls. A separate court case against the developer is pending.
Grinder-pump sewer concerns for new Woodland Hills homes
Residents warned that planned homes below sewer grade will rely on grinder pumps, raising fears of sewage backups during power outages. The board noted this is outside its scope but the concern was placed on the record.
Zoning code building height threshold
The current 17-foot height limit forces anyone building a wide barn or accessory structure to seek a variance to meet state snow-load rules. The board endorsed asking the Town Board to raise the threshold to 25 feet.
Zoning Code Overhaul Underway
The new zoning advisory committee kicks off March 4, with a roughly two-year process: a year of review, then legal drafting of changes.
B-Fund Budget Deficit
The B-Fund is short because the Twin Ponds project hasn't started construction, so expected building permit fees haven't come in. Budget adjustments are coming.
Accessory Dwelling Unit Law Amendment
The town will hold a public hearing September 23 on changes to its ADU rules, which affect homeowners looking to add rental or family units on their property.
Proposed East Fayetteville Quarry Zone Change
Kinsella wants to rezone about 276 acres near Route 5, Salt Springs Road and Gulf Road for a new quarry to eventually replace its Fayetteville operation. The town has hired its own lawyer and engineer, and residents will get a public hearing before any vote.
Battery Energy Storage Local Law
The town is drafting rules for where and how battery storage systems can be built, with fire department safety and water supply as top concerns. A draft law is expected for board and public review around November.
Fire/EMS District Consolidation Study
A year-long study found uneven staffing, response times and tax rates across the town's fire services. Officials want a unified fire district but tabled the public hearing to gather required data and brief the villages first.
Battery energy storage system regulations
The town is drafting rules for where and how battery storage systems can be built, with fire department safety and water supply as top concerns. A draft law is expected for board and public review around November.
Hoag Lane Drainage Violations
The Hoag Lane developer's stormwater controls still don't meet its own plans, so the stop work order stays. A flooding incident clogged town drainage, and the town hopes to recover cleanup costs once the HOA is formed.
Highway department project costs
The highway department replaced a 2016 wheel loader and a 2017 plow truck, saving roughly $12,500 on the truck through a package deal and getting $45,000 on the loader trade-in.
Police department building lease with Village of Fayetteville
The facilities study group heard from employees about space shortages, security, ADA issues and workspace problems. Short videos are planned to show the public the problems, and study group members will staff town tables at September's village festivals.
Bowman Road family subdivision and ADU alternative
Town code requires new building envelopes to sit 25 feet back from the 100-foot state wetland buffer, but lets the Planning Board waive that. The Sturick proposal showed only 10 feet, and the board declined to waive it — applicants will revise plans instead. The debate touched on why the rule exists: past flooding, wetland and steep-slope problems in town.
Hoag Road commercial greenhouse determination
The town's planning director ruled a proposed greenhouse on Hoag Road is a commercial operation — no house on the property and a state commercial license — which isn't allowed in the RA zoning district. The board tabled the appeal with the applicant absent.