Joseph Wetmore - Town Board, Lansing New York
A business owner and a community leader, Joseph Wetmore exemplifies a vision of long term growth that can be sustained.
Community Development
Joseph Wetmore’s impact extends far beyond his own business.
Serving as both one of the founders–as well as the longest-tenured board member–of the Downtown Business Improvement District, he played a crucial role in shaping the trajectory of downtown Ithaca’s development. With his guidance, the district oversaw strong growth in housing and lodging between 2015 and 2022.
During this seven-year span, the area saw the addition of 832 housing units and 564 hotel rooms, representing a total investment of $438.2 million and nearly 349,000 square feet of new lodging space. These developments not only revitalized the downtown area but also attracted new residents, businesses, and visitors, creating a vibrant urban core.
Protecting Lansing’s Rural Character
Joseph Wetmore has been actively involved in local government and planning initiatives for decades. He participated in the Town of Ithaca’s Comprehensive Plan Committee, helping guide the planning process that culminated in the adoption of the town’s 2014 comprehensive plan, promoting changes to reduce sprawl in the community while increasing its economic vitality. After moving to Lansing, Joe served on the Town of Lansing's Comprehensive Plan Committee from 2012 to 2018, where he championed the preservation of natural areas and farmland as key goals. He provided leadership for two significant aspects in the plan: designating the Bell Station lands as recreational rather than industrial, and creating an overlay district to promote the Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway. Building on his experience in municipal planning, Wetmore was elected to the Town Board in 2018, where he has continued to serve the community through governance and policy-making.
Most critically, Joe has been a continuously strong voice advocating for the preservation of the Scenic Byway to continue and strengthen Lansing’s participation and benefit from the $3 billion agritourism industry in our region. He is the only candidate singularly and perfectly positioned to ensure that Lansing’s final zoning updates align with the current comprehensive plan that was approved by the elected representatives of the Town of Lansing.
As a key player in protecting the Bell Station lands, Wetmore has demonstrated a long-standing dedication to conserving our natural environment for future generations. He was also a driving force behind the creation of Lansing’s bipartisan Conservation Advisory Council, which advises the Town Board in ways they might approach future protection of land. He has also been actively involved in planning a community trail network that promotes outdoor recreation and healthy living.
Lansing’s zoning rules have long frustrated everyone from developers to town staff because they are confusing and often contradictory. Joe has led the effort to repair Lansing’s outdated zoning laws, making planning both clearer and more closely aligned with the Town’s Comprehensive Plan. He played a key role in securing a $100,000 state grant to expedite a rewriting of the Town’s zoning regulations. Now running for his third term on the Lansing Town Board, he is committed to completing the new zoning plan. Wetmore’s goal is to protect the town’s rural character and natural areas while promoting thoughtful economic growth.