Section 34-B. Acquisition of air space and air and subsurface rights  


Latest version.
  • 1.
      Notwithstanding  any  other  provision  of  law  to  the  contrary,  the
      governing  board  of  a  municipal corporation as defined in the general
      municipal law in  which  land  or  real  property  had  previously  been
      acquired  by  the  state  or any of its duly constituted agencies for an
      appropriate public use may apply to the commissioner of general services
      in the executive department for conveyance to it of  a  grant,  release,
      quitclaim  or  other  appropriate instrument of all the right, title and
      interest of the state of New York in and to the air space  and  air  and
      subsurface  rights,  easements  therein and lands adjacent thereto which
      had been appropriated or otherwise acquired by  the  state  within  such
      municipality.  The  granting  of  any  such  application shall be in the
      discretion of the commissioner and the head of the department or  agency
      having jurisdiction over the property and subject to their determination
      that  such  conveyance would be compatible with the existing state needs
      and  uses  of  the  property  in  question  and  upon  such   reasonable
      consideration,  terms  and conditions as the commissioner may determine.
      No such conveyance shall be leased or utilized for private or  municipal
      utility  services.  No  conveyance  shall  be  permitted with respect to
      existing or proposed state parkways.
        2. The commissioner of general services shall include  as  a  part  of
      such  conveyance  such terms and conditions as he may reasonably deem to
      be appropriate with respect to the form,  manner  and  provisions  under
      which  the  municipality  may  dispose  of  said  air  space and air and
      subsurface rights and adjacent areas in conformity  with  provisions  of
      the general municipal law.
        3. The development of any property interest by the lessee or developer
      of  said air space and air and subsurface rights and adjacent areas from
      the municipality shall be subject to the zoning regulations,  ordinances
      and  planning requirements of the municipality in which said property is
      located and to the support,  protection  or  relocation  of  any  public
      utility  facilities  within the right of way of any highways within said
      property at the sole cost of the municipality, lessee or  developer.  No
      such  development  shall  deprive  an abutting landowner of his right of
      access.
        4. The terms of the conveyance to the municipal corporation  shall  be
      determined  by the commissioner of general services with the approval of
      the director of the budget as  to  the  adequacy  of  the  consideration
      therefor and shall be submitted to the commissioner of the agency having
      jurisdiction  over  the  property  involved  for  his  consideration and
      approval. Each such instrument of conveyance shall be  prepared  by  the
      commissioner  of general services and prior to delivery of possession of
      the subject property rights in the air, air  space,  subsurface  rights,
      easements  therein  and  lands adjacent thereto shall be approved by the
      attorney general as to form and manner of execution.
        5. The commissioner of general services  shall  promulgate  reasonable
      rules  and  regulations  after  consultation  with  the  commissioner of
      transportation and the commissioners or  heads  of  any  other  affected
      state  agencies strictly consistent with the purposes of and designed to
      carry out the provisions of this section.