NY S06664

Authorizes the Town of Copake in Columbia County to establish a community preservation fund through local law, funded by a real estate transfer tax of up to 2% on property conveyances

Fund must be used exclusively for preserving community character, including open space, agricultural land (highest priority), parks, wetlands, historic properties, wildlife habitat, and scenic areas, with no more than 10% allocated to management and stewardship

Requires creation of a 5-7 member advisory board with demonstrated conservation experience, including at least one active farmer, to review and recommend property acquisitions

Mandates adoption of a community preservation project plan listing all parcels to be acquired, with updates required every five years; plan must be filed with state environmental, agricultural, and parks commissioners

Tax exemptions apply to properties with conservation easements, viable agricultural land with development restrictions, transfers to government entities, and gifts; an exemption equal to the county's median residential sales price applies to all conveyances

Provisions expire December 31, 2045, at which time the real estate transfer tax authority is repealed