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S 10611

Authorizes the town of Greenburgh to alienate and discontinue the use of certain parkland

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Andrea Stewart-Cousins

The bill allows Greenburgh to lease circa 3.9 acres of parkland to a solar firm for up to 25 years, using lease proceeds for park improvements with reversion to public park use if

REFERRED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 10611

Overview

Bill S 10611 (2025-2026, New York) authorizes the Town of Greenburgh, Westchester County, to discontinue certain parkland as parkland and lease it to HESP Solar LLC for a term not to exceed 25 years for the construction of a solar facility and electric vehicle charging stations. Proceeds from the alienation/lease would be used for acquiring new parkland and/or improving existing parks and recreational facilities. The bill includes contingencies to ensure reversion to public park use if the project ends, and safeguards for any federal funds tied to the land.

Key provisions

  • Authorization to alienate and lease parkland: The town’s governing body may discontinue the described lands as parkland and lease them at fair market value to HESP Solar LLC for up to 25 years to develop a solar facility and EV charging stations.
  • Use of lease proceeds: All proceeds from the alienation and lease must be used for:
    • Acquisition of new parklands, and/or
    • Capital improvements to existing parks and recreational facilities.
  • Description of the land: The specific parcel is defined by boundary descriptions and a map reference from a subdivision plat (approx. 3.91 acres; 170,337 square feet) in Greenburgh, Westchester County.
  • Reversion if the project ends: If the lands cease to be used for the stated purposes, the lease terminates and the lands revert to Greenburgh for park/recreational use, with solar facilities and charging stations removed and the property restored to its prior park state.
  • Federal funding considerations: If the town received federal funds for the parklands, any discontinuance/alienation must comply with federal requirements, including ensuring substitution of other lands of equivalent fair market value and usefulness, as certified to the Secretary of the Interior.
  • Effective date: Immediate upon enactment.

Who is affected

  • Town of Greenburgh: Authorized to discontinue and lease the specified parkland and to manage the use of proceeds for park acquisition and improvements.
  • HESP Solar LLC: Would obtain a lease (up to 25 years) of the described land for a solar facility and EV charging infrastructure.
  • Public parks and recreation users: Potentially impacted by temporary land use change; protections are included through reversion provisions and requirements to substitute and restore lands if needed.
  • Federal funders (if applicable): The bill anticipates compliance with any federal requirements tied to the land, affecting the timing and method of alienation when federal assistance exists.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and committee: Introduced and referred to the Senate Local Government Committee; co-sponsored by Andrea Stewart-Cousins.
  • Effect on parcels: Legislative text provides a one-time authorization for the specific parcel described; any changes would require future legislative action.
  • Take effect: The act is stated to take effect immediately upon enactment.

Potential implications

  • Enables solar development and EV infrastructure on a municipal park parcel, potentially expanding local clean energy capacity and charging access.
  • Funds generated would be directed toward parks, potentially offsetting costs of parkland acquisition or improvement elsewhere in Greenburgh.
  • The displacement of parkland use is balanced by reversion rights and adherence to any federal requirements, including land replacement/value substitutions if federal funding exists.
  • Local residents and park users may experience temporary changes in park access during the lease term, with long-term benefits tied to updated park assets and new green energy facilities.

If you’d like, I can provide a plain-language comparison to current NY law on parkland alienation and brief notes on similar municipal parkland solar lease cases.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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