Bill > S06338

This bill authorizes the town of Orangetown to establish a community preservation fund and impose a real estate transfer tax to support it. The bill creates a comprehensive framework for preserving community character through land conservation and strategic property acquisition. Specifically, the bill allows the town to create a fund that can receive revenues from a real estate transfer tax of up to 0.75% on property sales, with the money dedicated to preserving open spaces, agricultural lands, wildlife habitats, historic properties, and other environmentally or culturally significant areas. The town must establish an advisory board to review potential land acquisitions and develop a detailed preservation plan that prioritizes farmland protection. The fund can be used to purchase land, create conservation easements, establish parks and nature preserves, and manage preserved lands. The bill includes provisions for public hearings, transparency, and restrictions on how preserved lands can be used or sold. The real estate transfer tax is subject to a mandatory public referendum, and the entire article will expire on December 31, 2045, requiring potential renewal at that time. The bill aims to provide Orangetown with a flexible tool for protecting its unique environmental and cultural resources through strategic land preservation.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S6338