[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Bellerose 11-8-1976 by L.L. No. 13-1976.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Architectural Review Committee — See Ch. 6.
Environmental quality review — See Ch. 98.
[1]
Editor's Note: Pursuant to L.L. No. 1-1976 which established the Code, the provisions of this chapter were originally designated as Ch. 16.
The preservation and improvement of the quality of the natural and man-made environment within the Incorporated Village of Bellerose, in the face of population growth, urbanization and technologic change with their accompanying demands on natural resources, are found to be of increasing and vital importance to the health, welfare and economic well-being of present and future inhabitants and to require forthright action by the governing body of the Incorporated Village of Bellerose. It is recognized that the biologic integrity of the natural environment on which man is dependent for survival and the natural and functional beauty of our surroundings, which condition the quality of our life experience, cannot be protected without the full cooperation and participation of all the people of the Village working in partnership with local and state officials and with various public and private institutions, agencies and organizations. Establishment of a Commission for Conservation of the Environment is a necessary stop in fostering unified action on environmental problems.
The Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Bellerose hereby creates a commission which shall be known as the "Incorporated Village of Bellerose Commission for Conservation of the Environment," hereafter called the "Commission."
[Amended 11-27-1978 by L.L. No. 2-1978]
A. 
The Commission shall consist of five members, who shall be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Bellerose. Persons residing within the Incorporated Village of Bellerose who are interested in the improvement and preservation of environmental quality shall be eligible for appointment as members of the Commission, which may include not more than one person between the ages of 16 and 18 years. Vacancies on the Commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment, as hereinafter provided, except that a vacancy occurring other than by the expiration of term of office shall be filled only for the remainder of the unexpired term.
B. 
The terms of the members of the Commission shall be staggered. The first three members appointed shall hold office for terms of one year and the second two for terms of two years, and the successors or all five initial appointees shall be appointed for full terms of two years.
The Board of Trustees shall designate a member of the Commission to act as Chairman thereof. At the first meeting of the Commission, its members shall elect from among themselves a recording secretary. The Commission shall adopt rules and procedures for its meetings. It shall keep accurate records of its meetings and activities and shall file an annual report as provided in § 15-6 of this chapter.
The powers and duties of the Commission shall be to:
A. 
Advise the Board of Trustees on matters affecting the preservation, development and use of the natural and man-made features and conditions of the Village insofar as beauty, quality, biologic integrity and other environmental factors are concerned and, in the case of man's activities and developments, with regard to any major threats posed to environmental quality, so as to enhance the long-range value of the environment to the people of the Village.
B. 
Develop and, after receiving general approval by resolution of the Board of Trustees, conduct a program of public information in the community which shall be designed to foster increased understanding of the nature of environmental problems and issues and support for their solutions.
C. 
Conduct studies, surveys and inventories of the natural and man-made features within the Incorporated Village of Bellerose and such other studies and surveys as may be necessary to carry out the general purposes of this chapter.
D. 
Maintain an up-to-date inventory or index of all open spaces in public or private ownership within the municipality and of the ownership, present use and proposed use of such open areas, so as to provide a base of information for recommendations by the Commission for their preservation and use.
E. 
Seek to coordinate, assist and unify the efforts of private groups, institutions and individuals within the Incorporated Village of Bellerose, in accord with the purposes of this chapter.
F. 
Maintain liaison and communications with public and private agencies and organizations of local, state and national scope whose programs and activities have an impact on the quality of the environment or who can be of assistance to the Commission.
G. 
Recommend from time to time to the Board of Trustees features, plans and programs relating to environmental improvement for inclusion in the Master Plan of the Incorporated Village of Bellerose and, similarly, recommend to the Board of Trustees appropriate and desirable changes in existing local laws relating to environmental control or recommend new local laws.
H. 
Prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts and pamphlets in accord with the purposes of this chapter.
I. 
Obtain and maintain in orderly fashion maps, reports, books and other publications to support the necessary researches of the Commission into local environmental conditions.
J. 
When authorized by resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Bellerose, the Commission may accept, by gift, grant, devise, bequest or otherwise, property, both real and personal, in the name of the Incorporated Village of Bellerose as may be necessary to conserve and otherwise properly utilize open spaces and other land and water resources within the boundaries of the Incorporated Village of Bellerose. Such real property may be accepted in fee for land rights or as any lesser interest, development right, easement, including conservation easement, covenant or other contractual right, including conveyance with limitations or reversions.
K. 
Carry out such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Board of Trustees.
The Commission shall submit an annual report to the Board of Trustees, not later than the first day of April of each year, concerning the activities and work of the Commission and from time to time shall submit such reports and recommendations as may be necessary to fulfill the purposes of this chapter.
The members of the Commission shall receive no compensation for their services as members thereof but may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, within the appropriations made available therefor.
This chapter shall be deemed an exercise of the powers of the Incorporated Village of Bellerose to preserve and improve the quality of the natural and man-made environment on behalf of the present and future inhabitants thereof. This chapter is not intended and shall not be deemed to impair the powers of any other public corporation.