The purpose of this article is to grant a partial
exemption for the reconstruction or rehabilitation of historic barns
in accordance with § 483-b of the Real Property Tax Law
of the State of New York.
For purposes of this article, an historic barn
shall mean a structure that was at least partially constructed before
1936 and that was originally designed and used for storing farm equipment
or agricultural products, or for housing livestock.
Historic barns which are reconstructed or rehabilitated
shall be exempt from taxation to the extent hereinafter provided,
subject to the following conditions:
A. Such barns shall be exempt for a period of one year
to the extent of 100% of the increase in assessed value thereof attributable
to such reconstruction or rehabilitation and for an additional period
of nine years subject to the following:
(1) The extent of such exemption shall be decreased by 10% of the exemption base each year during such additional period. The "exemption base" shall be the increase in the assessed value as determined in the initial year of the term of the exemption, except as provided in Subsection
A(2) of this section.
(2) In any year in which a change in level of assessment
of 15% or more is certified for a final assessment roll pursuant to
the rules of the State Board of Real Property Services, the exemption
base shall be calculated in accordance with the provisions of Real
Property Tax Law § 483-b, Subdivision 2(a)(ii).
B. No such exemption shall be granted for reconstruction
or rehabilitation unless such reconstruction or rehabilitation was
commenced on or after June 1, 1998, it being the express intent of
this article that reconstruction or rehabilitation which has been
or may be commenced between June 1, 1998, and the effective date of
this article may qualify for the exemption provided hereby.
C. No such exemption shall be granted to an historic
barn which is receiving an exemption pursuant to § 483 of
the Real Property Tax Law or which has received an exemption pursuant
to such section within 10 years of the date of the application for
exemption filed pursuant to this article.
D. No such exemption shall be granted to an historic
barn which is used for residential purposes.
E. No such exemption shall be granted for reconstruction
and rehabilitation expenses that materially alter the historic appearance
of the barn.
F. Such exemption shall be granted only upon application
by the owner of such barn on a form prescribed by the State Board
of Real Property Services. The application shall be filed with the
Assessor of the Town of Forestburgh on or before the appropriate status
date of the Town of Forestburgh.
G. If satisfied that the barn is entitled to an exemption pursuant to this article and § 483-b of the Real Property Tax Law, the Assessor of the Town of Forestburgh shall approve the application and such barn shall thereafter be exempt from taxation as herein provided commencing with the assessment roll prepared on the basis of the taxable status date referred to in Subsection
F of this section. The assessed value of any exemption granted pursuant to this article shall be entered by the Assessor on the assessment roll with the taxable property, with the amount of the exemption shown in a separate column.