Governor Kathy Hochul has signed legislation establishing the Clarkstown Community Preservation Act (CPA), marking a significant milestone in the town’s efforts to preserve open space, natural resources, historic landmarks, farmland, and other environmentally significant properties.
The legislation, which previously passed both the New York State Senate and Assembly, now sets the stage for a future public referendum, allowing Clarkstown voters to decide whether to implement the preservation program.
If approved by voters, the CPA would create a dedicated preservation fund through a one-time 0.75% fee on most real estate transactions. According to the Town of Clarkstown Assessor’s Office, the measure could generate nearly $5 million annually in protected funding to acquire land and safeguard environmentally and historically important properties.
Town officials say the funding mechanism offers an alternative to long-term borrowing or creating a new taxing district, since the fee would only be paid once at the time of a property closing rather than through ongoing annual taxes.
Supervisor George Hoehmann praised Governor Hochul, Senator Bill Weber, and Assemblyman Patrick Carroll for helping advance the legislation, calling it “a turning point” for Clarkstown’s conservation efforts.
“This gives Clarkstown residents the opportunity to decide whether to invest in protecting open space and preserving the unique character of our community through a public referendum,” Hoehmann said.
Senator Weber welcomed the governor’s approval of the bill, saying residents will soon have the opportunity to vote on preserving Clarkstown’s open space and natural resources for future generations.
Assemblyman Carroll, who sponsored the legislation in the Assembly, said protecting the environment has remained one of his top priorities. He encouraged residents to carefully consider the proposal before casting their votes when the referendum appears on a future ballot.
Members of the Clarkstown Town Board also praised the legislation, describing it as a major step toward balancing growth with conservation while giving residents the final say through the democratic process.
The Clarkstown Community Preservation Act follows similar preservation programs that have operated successfully for decades in several New York municipalities, including communities on Long Island and in Warwick.
A date for the public referendum has not yet been announced.
