The town of Fleming will re-examine its three-month-old building moratorium and replace it after a public hearing next month.

The town board passed a ban on multi-building residential development in the lakeshore district in June. However, town attorney Dale Yates determined the local law should have been reviewed by the Cayuga County Planning Board before it went into effect.

“The problem was it probably should have been referred to the county Planning Board,” said Yates, who pointed out the oversight to town councilors at a meeting Monday. “Anything that affects zoning law really should be referred to the planning board.”

The law has caused some controversy with town residents filling town hall to show support for a moratorium during the past few months. The law is intended to protect Owasco Lake from further pollution, according to its sponsors.

On the flipside, a Niles couple that had a townhouse development defeated and are waiting for approval of a proposed lakeside subdivision pleaded hardship due to the moratorium. The 28-lot Lakewood Landing project has been in the works for more than a year, but will not be able to move forward until the building ban is lifted and the town board gives its OK.

Public hearings to repeal the current moratorium and institute a county-reviewed law in its place will happen before the next town board meeting Nov. 12. Town Supervisor James Young and Councilman John Sroka will collaborate on the moratorium proposal during a Monday work session.

In addition to some language changes, Sroka said the moratorium likely will be expanded to include the entire Owasco Lake watershed inside the town's borders, as residents have requested. The law currently covers the lakeshore district only.

Staff writer Shane Liebler can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or shane.liebler@lee.net

If you go

What: Public hearings on town of Fleming building moratorium

Where: 2433 Dublin Road, Auburn

When: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12