[Adopted 7-10-2017 by L.L. No. 4-2017]
This article shall be known as the "Bethlehem Conservation Easement
Agreement Law."
In accordance with the provisions of State of New York Real
Property Tax Law § 491, qualified conservation easement
agreement exemptions in the Town of Bethlehem shall be exempt from
County taxation as set forth below.
As is authorized by Real Property Tax Law § 491, the
County of Albany does hereby provide that qualifying open space in
the Town of Bethlehem shall be exempt from taxation to the extent
provided for in New York State Real Property Tax Law § 491.4(b).
Procedures for obtaining a conservation easement agreement exemption
will be followed pursuant to Real Property Tax Law § 491,
Local Law No. 2-2014 of the Town of Bethlehem and any other local
law implementing the provisions of Real Property Tax Law § 491.
Pursuant to Real Property Tax Law § 844(1)(b)(ii),
the County enacts an "add back" provision specifying that "taxable
assessed value" for purposes of apportionment of County taxes will
include the amount of assessed value partially exempt from County
taxation under Real Property Tax Law § 491, which shall
ensure that the Town of Bethlehem will not pay less County property
taxes in the aggregate than it would have had the conservation easement
agreement exemption not been applied to properties within the town.
This article shall be effective upon filing with the Secretary
of State and subject to Real Property Tax Law § 491 and
other relevant sections of the Real Property Tax Law.
