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Lawmakers Pass Hudson Valley Land Preservation Act
To the Editor:
New York State lawmakers passed a land preservation bill for Putnam and Westchester Counties on the last day of the legislative session in Albany, in large part through the efforts of bill sponsors Senator Vincent Leibell, and Assembly Members Adam Bradley and Sandy Galef. We applaud our representatives' efforts to give local municipalities' direct homerule authority to decide the future of our communities
The Hudson Valley Community Preservation Act is opt-in legislation that would allow communities in the two counties to create, through public referendum, funds designated to protecting open space, historic buildings, and farmland. These Community Preservation Funds would be generated by a small real estate transfer fee (up to two percent) on the price of a home sale that is above the municipality's median. Ultimately, these funds will protect our community character, as well as important natural resources like our drinking water. And no one can argue the fact that less development and sprawl ultimately results in lower property taxes for residents, which is a huge concern for all of us these days.
While the open space and farmland preservation aspects of this bill are well understood, this legislation will also provide Westchester and Putnam Counties with new opportunities to fund historic preservation and Main Street renewal, so the villages can benefit as well.
In towns where Community Preservation Funds have been established, they have received extraordinary support and protected thousands of acres of land. For example, the five towns on the East end of Long Island that created Community Preservation Funds in 1998 have generated over $400 million and protected over 7,500 acres. The residents of these towns have since voted twice to extend the life of their funds, and the funds will now exist through 2030.
The Hudson Valley Community Preservation Act is a tremendous opportunity for towns and villages in Putnam and Westchester Counties to preserve their natural heritage when and how they see fit. We urge the Governor to support this important environmental, agricultural, and historic protection measure by swiftly signing it into law, and further urge our fellow residents of Philipstown and Putnam Valley to support the establishment of Community Preservation Funds when asked to do so in the future.
Andy Chmar
Executive Director Hudson Highlands Land
Trust
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