New Push For Land Bank Tax
The East End Land Bank Coalition, which supports a 2 percent real estate transfer tax for open space, farmland, and historic preservation, has asked Gov. George E. Pataki to take a closer look at proposed land-bank legislation for the five North and South Fork towns.
The coalition has asked to meet with the Governor. While members await his answer, they are joining other local groups in seeking homegrown suggestions for "rescuing" the East End.
In September Mr. Pataki vetoed transfer-tax legislation for East Hampton Town, saying the bill did not contain an exemption for farmland transfers and did not include other East End towns.
All Five Towns
A revised bill drafted since then includes all five towns: East Hampton, Southampton, Southold, Riverhead, and Shelter Island.
Under the new legislation, the sale of farmland for continued agricultural use and land transfers for preservation purposes will be exempt from the 2 percent tax. The tax will apply only to higher-priced real estate sales, with the cutoff to be determined by the individual towns.
In his veto message the Governor pledged that his administration would work with local leaders to create a better bill.
Seek Pataki's Support
In an Oct. 31 letter to the Governor with 100 signatures, the Land Bank Coalition asked for "immediate support" of the new draft.
"The East End needs this tool if it is to avoid becoming yet another overdeveloped, overcrowded, characterless community," the letter urged.
Some of those involved in the Land Bank Coalition are also active in the East End Rescue Coalition, which is sponsoring two half-day planning meetings on Saturday to explore how eastern Long Island has grown and how it can grow in the future.
The meetings will be from 8 a.m. to noon at Southold High School on the North Fork, and from 1 to 5 p.m. at Southampton College on the South Fork.
Coalition Members
East End Rescue, like the Land Bank Coalition, is made up of a number of groups concerned with land use and the environment.
They include the American Planning Association, East End Forever, Group for the South Fork, Long Island Pine Barrens Society, North Fork Environmental Council, Peconic Land Trust, Regional Plan Association, Southampton College, Suffolk County Planning Department, and the Suffolk County Water Authority.
Land-use experts participating in Saturday's meetings will discuss such preservation tools as community land banks, changes in the estate tax law, the sale of development rights, conservation easements, and development planning.
Speakers
Steve Wick, a reporter for Newsday and the author of "Heaven and Earth," about the disappearance of North Fork farmland, is scheduled to speak.
Other speakers will be Robert Yaro of the Regional Plan Association, Edward McMahon of the Conservation Fund, Steve Jones, the county planning director, and Michael LoGrande of the Water Authority.
Three concurrent sessions will feature speakers with planning experience on Cape Cod, Nantucket, and greater Massachusetts, areas that face development pressures similar to those on the East End.
Those planning to attend one of Saturday's meetings have been asked to reserve a seat by calling Judy Christrup at the Group for the South Fork in Bridgehampton.