Bill > S03282

This bill authorizes the town of Amherst in Erie County, New York, to discontinue a specific parcel of parkland (approximately 0.892 acres) and lease it to Verizon Wireless for the placement and operation of a wireless communications tower. The lease would be for a maximum of 30 years at fair market value, with a critical condition that all proceeds from the lease must be dedicated to acquiring new parklands or making capital improvements to existing park and recreational facilities. The bill includes specific protections: if the leased land stops being used for its intended wireless communications purpose, the lease will terminate, and the land will revert to the town for public park use, with the requirement that the wireless tower be removed and the property restored to its previous state. Additionally, the bill stipulates that if the parkland was originally purchased with federal funding, the town must comply with federal requirements for land conversion, including ensuring that any replacement parkland is equivalent in value and usefulness. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S3282