TeraWulf’s Appeal Got Approved: What Happens Next?
On Monday, December 22nd, The Zoning Board of Appeals members voted on TeraWulf’s Appeals
The Board voted no to "Scientific Research Laboratory"
Voted No: Roger, Mary, Susan, Jack
Voted Yes: Rick
The Board voted no to "Warehouse/storage of Non-agricultural Goods"
Voted No: Mary, Susan, Jack
Voted Yes: Rick, Roger
The Board voted yes to "General Processing, Light Manufacturing and Assembly"
Voted No: Mary, Susan
Voted Yes: Rick, Roger, Jack
There was Little Discussion About "General Processing, Light Manufacturing and Assembly" During the Appeals Hearings
In the Code Enforcement Officer’s original determination, the 12/10 meeting and agenda, as well as the 12/16 public hearings and agenda, “general processing” and “warehouse” uses were lumped together. It was a surprise to us that they held two separate votes for these.
In a call to Jack Young, the ZBA chair, it was explained that having two separate votes actually made it more difficult for the applicant. This is because they would need to vote yes for just one use, not both, for it to be granted. For example, if two members voted yes for General Processing and one other member voted yes for Warehouse, the appeal would have been granted with a 3-2 vote, despite the uses being different.
What Happens Next?
TeraWulf's project application will now move to the Planning Board, where they will discuss and set limits on different aspects of the project (ex. Noise, water withdrawal from Cayuga Lake, backup generators, etc.) which could take months.
Even if the ZBA denied all appeals on 12/22, TeraWulf would have still gone to the Planning Board and requested to get the property rezoned as a Planned Unit Development (as they did in Somerset, NY for their AI/crypto facility).
This Isn’t Over
There is still time for you to get involved, organize, delay the process, and help us stop this AI Data Center before it starts. Stay up to date on the process, come to future Planning Board meetings, and inform friends and family about this issue. We cannot let TeraWulf win. Protect our lake, protect our people!
For Additional Information on the Public Hearings that Occurred on December 16th
See this Ithaca Voice Article
Check out our Instagram Reel of TeraWulf CEO Paul Prager’s inconsistencies about TeraWulf’s appeal:
Sources
12/10 ZBA Meeting
12/16 ZBA Meeting
12/22 ZBA Meeting
Phone calls with Jack Young (ZBA Chair) and Kelly Geiger (Codes Clerk)
For additional media coverage on the December, 22nd meeting, see here.