The Town of Beekman passed an incentive zoning provision in 2001.  The law authorizes the town board to grant zoning incentives to encourage “community benefits.”  One of the benefits that a developer can provide is the permanent conservation of agricultural lands.  In exchange, the developer can receive an increase in permitted residential density or reduced requirements for non-residential development including decreased minimum lot sizes and setbacks, or increased impervious lot coverage, floor area ratios or building heights.