Bill > A00484

This bill establishes a comprehensive and detailed framework for defining and declaring "blighted property" and "blighted areas" in New York State, providing specific criteria for determining when a property can be considered blighted. The bill creates a nuanced definition that includes properties unfit for human habitation, structurally unsound buildings, abandoned properties, environmentally contaminated sites, and properties with significant tax delinquencies. Importantly, the bill sets strict guidelines for declaring blight, including requiring written findings that identify specific conditions, establishing a 15-year validity period for blight declarations, and creating exceptions to prevent inappropriate blight designations. For example, agricultural lands and properties in rural areas cannot be declared blighted, and if a developer has intentionally caused deteriorating conditions, those conditions cannot be used to declare blight. The bill also modifies several existing laws to remove outdated terminology like "slum" and "deteriorating" while providing a more precise legal framework for urban renewal and property redevelopment. Additionally, the bill includes provisions to ensure that blight declarations are made transparently and with careful consideration of the property's specific circumstances, aiming to protect property owners while enabling municipal governments to address urban decay and promote community development.

Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A484