Bethlehem Town Board to weigh data center moratorium; zoning updates, senior housing also on agendas
The Bethlehem Town Board is set to vote on a 12-month moratorium on data center development at its June 24 regular meeting, the most consequential item on a slate of recent and upcoming government agendas. The moratorium, if adopted, would pause new data center projects while the town updates its zoning code to address changes in state environmental review rules. No votes have been reported yet on the moratorium or other items from the June 24 meeting, as minutes have not been published.
Recent meetings
Town Board – June 24
The board’s agenda included a proposed local law for the data center moratorium, along with a discussion on zoning code revisions tied to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) changes. Other scheduled actions included awarding a bid for peroxide-based algaecide to BioSafe Systems, LLC, and a zinc orthophosphate and poly orthophosphate contract to Shannon Chemical Corp. The board also planned to authorize the purchase of a 2026 Chevy Equinox EV for Senior Services at $29,987.10 from General Fund Capital Reserves.
Zoning Board of Appeals – July 1
The ZBA held public hearings on two area variance applications. One involved a proposed garage addition at 17 Hawthorne Ave by Louis Kurrelmeyer. The other was a continuation of a hearing for WAWEB LLC’s senior housing project at 152 Rockefeller Rd. The board also considered a resolution to approve a variance for David Essex at 30 Manor Dr. On the information side, a memo requested that the Planning Board act as lead agency for VVK Inc.’s machine shop expansion at 619 Wemple Rd, involving a proposed 12,200-square-foot building. An appeal by Hoffman Car Wash at 55 Delaware Ave regarding a vacate order was withdrawn.
Coming up
Planning Board – July 7
The Planning Board will consider a Qualified Action Exemption under SEQRA for a proposed 3-lot minor subdivision at 55 McCormack Rd in Slingerlands, and may schedule a public hearing for July 21. The board will also receive an initial presentation for a proposed 3-unit multifamily housing site plan at 50 Adams Place in Delmar. Minutes from the May 5 Planning Board meeting are up for approval.
Town Board – July 8
The Town Board will hold a public hearing on a 2026 BEST Grant application for Perfect Blend. Other items include appointing Joseph M. Dillabough as a police officer at an annual salary of $72,922, approving an engineering contract with CHA Consulting for Elm Avenue Park spray pads’ UV treatment system at up to $49,500 from the Park Land Set-aside fund, and purchasing a sewer crawler camera system from Spartan Tool, LLC for $52,677.82 from the Sewer Fund Capital Reserve. A budget transfer of $159,400 is planned for engineering services on a water main extension along Lasher Road and State Route 9W. The board will also vote on exempting a parking lot restriping from minimum width requirements.
Generated from official meeting agendas and minutes — every underlying document is linked from the city page. Read the primary source before you rely on a detail.