Some large landowners within the town continue to be upset by the Town Board’s decision to go forward with its new open space program.
The Bethlehem Town Board approved the program on Wednesday, March 12, but some residents previously said they felt the new program would allow large quantities of land to be taken off the tax rolls, and landowners could potentially have some of their property rights taken away.
“You want the town to maintain some of its rural character,” said resident Nancy Neff to the Board, “as do the people who own the lands, or they wouldn’t have continued to hold on to them for so long. However, in this constant need to preserve and control, the town is increasing the burden and taking away the pleasure of working the land.”
Neff said she was also concerned that no one who was appointed to the open space committee was a large landowner, and if the town opted to enact new laws concerning open space, landowners would be forced to cooperate instead of willingly participating.
“It seems like an act of coercement,” she said.
Others felt the program was greatly needed, as open space has been a major issue in the town for more than a decade.
Officials and residents have worked to make sure there is a balance between new development and land preservation, and a number of former citizens groups have discussed the topic, such as the Citizens Advisory Committee on Conservation and the more recent Comprehensive Plan Assessment Committee.
The new program is meant to create the criteria the town deems most important, such as recommending the preservation of land, establishing a capital reserve fund for purchases and working on outreach. Once land was obtained, it would also be the group’s mission to decide what would be the best way to preserve the land, through zoning or a land trust.
Supervisor John Clarkson said the committee would not act as a regular citizens advisory committee, but members were selected based on their backgrounds and qualifications in land use matters. The Open Space Committee would be considered a working group similar to the Budget Advisory Committee, and most of the communication would not happen outside of public meetings.
“It’s an opportunity for members of the community to serve the town with their specific skills, and it’s also a wonderful thing for the town because we get assistance without paying for it, which is always good.” said Clarkson.
Planning Director Rob Leslie said the main function is to act as additional support for Planning Department staff. Any recommendations would then be presented to the Town Board and the public, with no decisions or laws passed without public input.
According to Leslie, little would or could be done without the consent of landowners. He said if a property owner approached the town about wanting to preserve their land, the criteria established by the committee would help the town consider the best actions to take. No laws would be made with the intention of taking away the rights of property owners, and they would still be able to develop or farm their land as they wish.
“The intention is not to preclude landowners, but give them other options for their property,” said Leslie.