Authorizes the city of Jamestown, county of Chautauqua, to discontinue the use of certain lands as parklands

BILL NUMBER:S6585A

Title of bill

An act to authorize the city of Jamestown, in the county of Chautauqua, to discontinue the use of certain lands as parklands

Purpose or general idea of bill

This bill would authorize the city of Jamestown to discontinue certain land as parklands; and in exchange for the conveyance, dedicate other land within the town which is of an equal or greater fair market value than the converted land.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 authorizes the city of Jamestown to discontinue as parklands the lands described in section three of this act.

Section 2 validates, legalizes, ratifies and confirms such alienation of parklands as described in section 4.

Section 3 sets forth the condition that the lands described in section four of this act must be of equal or greater fair market value than the lands being alienated.

Section 4 defines the land to be discontinued as parkland, as set forth in section one of this act.

Section 5 defines the replacement land to be dedicated by the City of Jamestown as parkland.

Section 6 states that in the event that the replacement parklands to be dedicated by the city of Jamestown are not of equal or greater fair market value and usefulness as parklands than the parklands to be discontinued, the city of Jamestown shall dedicate the difference of fair market value and/or usefulness of the lands to be alienated and the lands to be dedicated for the acquisition of additional parklands and/or capital improvements to existing park and recreational facilities.

Section 7 states that the discontinuance of parklands authorized by the provisions of this act shall not occur until the city of Jamestown has complied with any federal requirements pertaining to the conversion of parklands, including satisfying the secretary of the interior that the conversion complies with all conditions which the secretary of the inte- rior deems necessary to assure the substitution of other lands shall be equivalent in fair market value and recreational usefulness to the lands being alienated or converted.

Section 8 sets the effective date.

Justification

The city of Jamestown is requesting the conversion of a 20.95 acre portion of parkland. This piece of property has been maintained as a

parks management and composting site for many years. The property sits in the northernmost section of Chadakoin Park. Because land set-aside for the maintenance of parks is not considered park use, this piece of property must either have its contents relocated or it must be converted. Other sites were considered as alternatives, however, all proved to be impracticable and ultimately inefficient. As a result, the city would like to convert this portion of parkland and replace it with similar property located directly adjacent to the southern boundary of Chadakoin Park.

This conversion would maintain the goals and spirit of the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan by actually increasing the access and recreational opportunities for the public by removing acreage that is remote and disconnected from the rest of the park. The area to be converted does not contain any recreation facilities or opportunities. The more readily accessible replacement piece will provide trails and access along the Chadakoin River, providing new and diverse recreational opportunities.

Prior legislative history

New Bill.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.