Luther Forest Corp. v. McGuiness

OPINION OF THE COURT

Levine, J.

Petitioners are the owners of a tract of land in the Town of Malta, Saratoga County, forming part of what was known as the Luther Forest, who instituted these proceedings challenging the determinations of respondent to increase the 1981 assessments of their properties by eliminating the exemption previously granted to them pursuant to RPTL 480. That statute was originally enacted (Tax Law former § 16, as added by L 1926, ch 610, § 1) "for the purpose of encouraging the preservation of the forests and the devotion of land to reforestation” (People ex rel. Luther v…