Fittnell Barbeque DOES NOT FIT!

TLDR: The proposed entrance for a barbeque restaurant does not fit the existing quiet neighborhood. The kicker? An alternative entrance can exist.

What's all the fuss about?

A proposal is in place which describes converting an existing pole barn structure into a barbeque restaurant, complete with a 35 car parking lot.

BBQ in Lansing sounds pretty appealing! So what's the problem? The current plan places the entrance to the restaurant in the middle of a quiet neighborhood street.

Where is this taking place?

The proposed future home of Fittnell Barbeque is 42 Seacord Lane, Lansing, NY.

Do you oppose small business?

Absolutely not!

There is consensus amongst the neighbors impacted that a barbeque establishment in Lansing would be a wonderful addition to our community.

We are against the implementation currently proposed by Fittnell Barbeque.

What is the impact?

Everyone is familiar with our prized town baseball fields located between Lansing Town Hall and Woodsedge Drive. At first mention, a BBQ establishment here doesn't sound out of place. The Woodsedge Apartments and Curtiss-Wright IMR Lab are both located on Woodsedge Drive. Dollar General is just off of Cayuga Vista Drive.

What you might not be aware of is that Woodsedge Drive continues on past the intersection with Cayuga Vista Drive. This 'Woodsedge Extension' is home to a quiet neighborhood where children safely ride their bikes.

The intersection of Woodsedge Drive and Cayuga Vista Drive and the neighborhood impacted
The intersection of Woodsedge Drive and Cayuga Vista Drive and the neighborhood impacted.
The entrance to the Woodsedge Drive Extension.
The entrance to the Woodsedge Drive Extension.

Fittnell Barbeque's proposed plan places the entrance of their establishment at the end of the Woodsedge Drive extension between two existing homes. This extension is a winding, narrow road suitable for the traffic of a small community, not the estimated customer count for this proposed establishment.

The winding and narrow Woodsedge Drive Extension.
The winding and narrow Woodsedge Drive Extension.
Fittnell Barbeque's proposed future driveway.
Fittnell Barbeque's proposed future driveway.

What do you propose?

The neighbors of Woodsedge Drive and Seacord Lane ask for a small concession to be made: change the location of the entrance.

This is not an impossible ask as the proposed plan cites a potential alternative entrance that would allievate all of the concerns listed above.

The potential alternative entrance described in the current proposed plan.
The location of the potential alternative entrance described in the current proposed plan.
The potential alternative entrance described in the current proposed plan (street view).
The potential alternative entrance described in the current proposed plan (street view).

Moving the entrance wouldn't just be a neighborly gesture, it comes with a number of practical benefits

  1. Relocating the entrance would place it in a more obvious and discoverable location, both for existing patrons and for first time customers.

  2. Woodsedge Drive and Cayuga Vista Drive are used as a cut-through to skip the stop light on Route 34. By having the entrance relocated, this through traffic will pass right by their driveway.

  3. Woodsedge Drive is already home to businesses and the baseball fields. Moving the entrance would group Fittnell Barbeque with the existing businesses and could offer additional retail schemes. Perhaps a pop-up stand at the end of the driveway to sell to attendees of the baseball game? Not to mention they would be the closest place for food after an exciting game.

What do you want us to do?

Please come to the Planning Board Meeting on January 27th at 6:30 at Lansing Town Hall and email the planning board at tolcodes@lansingtown.com.