7.1 – Parkland Acquisition Procedures
Standard: The agency shall have established policies and procedures for the acquisition of lands for park, recreation, conservation, and historical-cultural purposes that are backed by legal authority and periodically reviewed. This authority usually originates in state enabling acts, is delegated to local governments and is implemented through local charters and ordinances.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide policy and procedures for land acquisition, the citation of legal authority to acquire lands, and last review.
Provide the date of last review.
COMMENT: EOC 1 Charter of Westchester County – the EOC title indicates the article and sections associated with acquisition. It would be helpful if the relevant sections were highlighted.
RESPONSE: The relevant sections are now highlighted in EOC 1R
COMMENT: EOC 2 has multiple links; please provide one link/document with Ch. 249 of the charter and highlight the relevant sections.
RESPONSE: The relevant sections of Chapter 249 of the Charter are now highlighted in EOC 2R.
COMMENT: EOC 3 – Open Space Policy; please provide information on the document itself identifying the source and associated date.
RESPONSE: The Westchester County Open Space Policies, put out by the Westchester County Department of Planning, is now attached as EOC 3R. It was adopted August 4, 1998. The Parks Board also adopted this policy on page 10.
COMMENT: EOC 4 – Legacy Program; provide information on the document itself identifying the source and associated date.
RESPONSE: The Legacy Program is achieved through funding that’s appropriated in the County’s annual capital budget and five-year capital program. See EOC 4R which contains an excerpt from the most recently adopted Capital Budget pertaining to the legacy program.
Narrative:
The Westchester County (WC) Department of Park, Recreation and Conservation (PRC) follows the procedure for the acquisition of park and recreation lands as codified in the Charter of Westchester County, New York: Chapter 233, Article II Acquisition of Real Property, Sections 233.11 through 233.71; and Chapter 249 Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation, Sections 249.21, 249.31, 249.41 and 249.101.
WC also has an Open Space Policy which guides decisions on acquiring parcels for preservation as well as parks and recreation areas. In addition the WC Legacy Program, funded through the 5-Year Capital Plan, helps to achieve the acquisition of parks, recreation and open space preserved in its natural state.
Note: The agency will be referred to as PRC throughout Standard 7.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
Section 249.31 Recommendation and acquisition of additional parks
Section 249.41 Maps for land Acquisitions; approval of maps; amendments and contents
Section 249.101 Lease of real property until required for park purposes; sale of buildings and materials not so required; alteration, demolition or removal or such buildings
7.1 – EOC 3 WC Open Space Policy Webpage
7.1 – EOC 4 WC Legacy Program Webpage
Legacy Program (westchestergov.com)