Authorizes the town of Orangetown, county of Rockland, to discontinue use of certain lands as park lands

Summary of provisions

Section one of this bill authorizes the Town of Orangetown to discontinue as park lands and alienate the Broadacres Golf Course.

Section two provides that the authorization contained in this act would take effect only upon the condition that the Town of Orangetown dedicates at least thirty (30) contiguous acres of land along the eastern shore of Lake Tappan as additional park lands and improves such lands by creating walking/ biking paths and public access to the lake. Section two further provides that in the event that the fair market value of the new and improved park lands along the lakefront are not equal to or greater than the fair market value of Broadacres the town must dedicate the difference in fair market value between Broadacres and the new lake front park to the acquisition or designation of new town park lands or the improvement of existing town park and recreational facilities.

Section three provides a detailed description of the approximately sixty-five (65) acres that comprise the Broadacres Golf Course.

Section four provides that prior to the discontinuance and alienation of the Broadacres Golf Course, the Town of Orangetown must designate as park lands at least thirty (30) contiguous acres of lands along the eastern shores of Lake Tappan. Section four also establishes the area in which the town may designate the new thirty (30) acre lake front park.

Section five requires that, in the event that the Town of Orangetown received any funding to support Broadacres Golf Course, the discontinuance and alienation of the course shall not occur until the town has complied with any federal requirements pertaining to the alienation or conversion of park lands.

Section six provides the effective date.

Justification

The Town of Orangetown is currently in the process of planning the future use and development of a large tract of land that occupies the geographic center of the community. This area includes lands presently and formerly associated with the Rockland Psychiatric Center (RPC). The goal of the Town's planning effort is to develop the RPC site and surrounding lands in a manner that is consistent with the Town's overall planning goals and serves the recreational and economic needs of the Town.

A successful RPC site development effort will require the Town to reconfigure existing land uses in the area. This reconfiguration would

begin by discontinuing the use of the Broadacres Golf Course as a park, which provides limited recreational opportunities for a fee, and developing new park lands along Lake Tappan. Proceeds from the sale of Broadacres Golf Course would provide the Town with needed capital to develop a new lakefront park, which, once developed, will provide more Town residents with more opportunities for enjoyment, amusement, and pleasure.

The development of a new park along Lake Tappan would expand visual and physical public access to the lake, which would provide the town with a valuable scenic resource. Unlike Broadacres Golf Course, a park along Lake Tappan would better serve the recreational needs of all Town residents by providing new opportunities to partake in such activities as bicycle riding, strolling, rollerblading, and picnicking. Additionally, the Town already benefits from adequate golfing facilities, specifically in the form of Blue Hill Golf Course, a 27-hole course located in town less than two miles to the west of Broadacres.

The development of a lakefront park would also better serve the Town's interest in securing and enhancing the value of other lands near the RPC site that will be developed for private and taxable uses. This benefit would serve the Town's vital economic interests, which are central to its RPC development planning efforts.

Legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.