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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Accessory use permits at 7153 East Genesee Street
The board decided the fate of five small business and residential uses in a multi-use residential zone building — two new offices and renewals for two apartments and an insurance agency. All got seven-year terms with conditions from the planning director.
Medical Center Drive PUD rework
A developer proposes a four-story building with two retail tenants and about 36 apartments, including workforce housing, near Fayetteville's commercial core. It heads to advisory boards and an April 8 public hearing.
Zone change at 4555 Pompey Center Road
An 11.84-acre parcel along Limestone Creek could go from higher-density R-5 zoning to RA to allow a three-lot single-family subdivision. The site has wetlands, steep slopes, a waterfall, and floodplain, so the eventual subdivision will face close environmental scrutiny.
Data center and cryptocurrency mining moratorium
The Board unanimously paused data centers and crypto mining for a year, with several members signaling they want a permanent ban. Speakers cited water use, noise, farmland loss, and rising utility bills.
Planning board submittal deadlines and agenda process
The board wrestled with whether its hard Wednesday submission deadline still makes sense now that applicants must pass a completeness checklist before getting on an agenda. Ideas included a five-day review window for board members. Nothing was decided yet — staff will bring back written proposals.
Ironhorn building facade and comprehensive plan adherence
Ironhorn Enterprises wants to renovate the old Dow Lumber building on North Burdick Street into office and warehouse space with a modern gray facade. The board likes the reuse but wants landscaping/screening near the residential neighbors, less parking out front, and architect input before approving the site plan amendment.
Town PUD law overhaul and Burdick/East Genesee corridor study
The town is studying its main commercial corridor — traffic, pedestrian safety, and what businesses it wants there. A public meeting is planned for late February, an online survey is coming, and a vision document should be done by May to support a state funding application, possibly for sidewalks.
Dear Dad restaurant sign variance
The new owners of the old Arad Evans Inn (now Dear Dad) want a 24-square-foot sign where code allows 16. The board recommended denial, and the applicant said he'd shrink the sign to code size instead — so the variance may become unnecessary.
Crown Castle Cell Tower Permit Renewal
The cell tower at 5350 Townsend Road got its 20-year special use permit renewed with no complaints on record — routine, but it keeps wireless service infrastructure in place through 2046.
Appeal of Huntwood Path privacy wall building permit
A resident challenged the permit for a 12-foot privacy wall between townhouse units, arguing it was issued without a variance, on incomplete information, and in violation of fire-rating rules. The board never reached those questions — the appeal was filed more than a year late and was rejected as untimely. A related lawsuit remains in state court.