Committee advances Lewis County Land Bank application, schedules next steps for incorporation

Casandra Buell, Lewis County director of planning and community development, presented next steps on Feb. 24 for establishing a Lewis County Land Bank. Buell said the immediate priority is submitting an application to Empire State Development (ESD) in March; if complete, the application could be considered at ESD’s May meeting.

Buell summarized legal and incorporation tasks: the county must adopt a local law or resolution specifying the land bank name and board size (an odd number between five and 15 members), prepare articles of incorporation for filing by the county attorney, and obtain Department of Finance approval to use the word “bank” in the title. She said nominations have been received from each legislative district and the county manager will serve as the county’s board representative.

Funding options Buell reviewed included a possible $50,000 CDBG planning grant to complete a vacant/blighted property inventory (decision expected in March) and anticipated New York State HCR Land Bank Initiative funding of about $200,000 if restored in the state budget (timeline in June). The committee moved to forward Draft Resolution No. 10, authorizing formation of the Lewis County Land Bank Corporation with an 11-member board appointed by the Legislature; the motion carried unanimously (AYE 4–0).

Why it matters: a county land bank centralizes tools to acquire, rehabilitate or dispose of vacant and tax-delinquent properties and can be used to support affordable housing and economic development projects. Committee members flagged two outstanding district nominees that staff must resolve before appointments.

Next steps: staff will prepare incorporation paperwork, pursue the CDBG planning grant, submit the ESD application in March and return with finalized board nominations and any required local law language.