This visioning exercise was the appeal made in a presentation to the Town Board on Monday night from John Behan and Jennifer Viggiani of Behan Planning Associates, on behalf of the Beekman Open Space Advisory Committee.
The committee was formed to give the board advice on ways to preserve the character and accessibility of the town, as called for in the Master Plan.
The committee is chaired by Councilman Werner Stiegler and includes residents Joe Sinisi and Doreen O'Connor, County Legislator Gerald Hutchings (R-Beekman), Planning Board Chairman Neal Townsend, recreation commission member Eric Verhave, conservation advisory council member Antonio Rivera and Behan Associates, who are acting as planning advisors.
"In developing a plan of action, the public process is integral," said Viggiani.
She stressed that public participation, working with landowners, regional and local organizations and the Town Board would "identify community values, build on existing work and create a clear and compelling plan to guide the town in the future."
Viggiani said developing a solid open space plan has numerous benefits to the community. She noted that preserving open space had environmental benefits, such as maintaining clean drinking water for the town. In terms of a financial bottom line, a sound plan would "improve land value and reduce the costs of municipal services," said Viggiani.
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The committee has been meeting since January and is in what Viggiani referred to as phase one of the project, which is expected to carry into June. This primary phase will consist of public meetings and surveys.
The committee has mailed a survey to land owners of 10 acres or more as a prelude to a March 10 meeting at Town Hall at 7:30 p.m.
At that meeting, large land owners are specifically invited to learn about the committee's work, offer comment on growth and development and discuss their role in potential conservation strategies.
"You are at the forefront of a national movement and with limited state and federal funding and current development trends, our landscapes need protection," said Behan.
Behan noted that New York State is a leader in conservation and listed the tools available to communities seeking to preserve open space. These included working with landowners and county, state, federal and not-for-profit organization grants.
Working with land owners
According to Behan, "the time is now to step in when a family decides it has to sell land." He said that if a property matches up with the town's conservation needs, "we can work with land owners on conservation-based land planning."
This work might include temporary or permanent property easements, purchase of development rights or land acquisition.
"This would ensure that the process of development conserves land," said Behan.
Stiegler said the committee's goal is to be "pro-active and get at properties before the developers get to them."
Behan said an open-space plan would seek to "give alternatives to land owners, let them know we are interested, give guidelines and create tools to ensure stewardship."
But before the town can target specific projects, the residents of Beekman must identify exactly what is important to protect.
Behan offered examples of work that his firm had done with other state municipalities.
Clifton Park wanted a town-wide trail system "to give families different ways to enjoy the community," said Behan.
The town of Milton wanted more recreation area and a horse trail system. Red Hook wanted to preserve farmland, clean drinking water and historic resources. One option is public investment in land conservation, Behan said.
Behan noted that voters in Red Hook had approved a referendum for a $3.5 million bond authorization to allocate toward specific conservation projects.
"This won't protect all the land, but it is significant," he said.
Behan stressed that such a measure was not a blank check and the town would not borrow any money before a specific project was identified.
"This is no grand plan. We would do what people are comfortable with," he said.
Further steps ahead
A town-wide survey is slated to be mailed to all residents and businesses next month, leading up to a public workshop for the entire community on April 24, from 9 a.m. to noon at Town Hall.
Through the various surveys and public meetings, the committee will develop a pilot conservation project to serve as a testing ground for mechanisms to be included in an open space plan.
"It's exciting and the next logical step after the comprehensive plan," said Stiegler. He echoed Behan's comments about seeking community involvement.
"We want an inventory of what land is out there and from there, priorities have to be made," Steigler said.
Behan said the character of Beekman is a gift that should be preserved for future generations.
"This is something that you can take pride in, knowing that you played a role in preserving a sense of place," he said.
