Bill Text: NY A07878 | 2013-2014 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishes what is and what is not blighted property and blighted areas.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-01-08 - referred to judiciary [A07878 Detail]
Download: New_York-2013-A07878-Introduced.html
S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K ________________________________________________________________________ 7878 2013-2014 Regular Sessions I N A S S E M B L Y June 6, 2013 ___________ Introduced by M. of A. PAULIN, ABINANTI, HENNESSEY, MARKEY, OTIS -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. JACOBS, ROBERTS, ROBINSON -- read once and referred to the Committee on Judiciary AN ACT to amend the New York state urban development corporation act and the eminent domain procedure law, in relation to blighted property and blighted areas; and to repeal certain provisions of the New York state urban development corporation act relating thereto THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM- BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: 1 Section 1. Section 2 of section 1 of chapter 174 of the laws of 1968, 2 constituting the New York state urban development corporation act, the 3 ninth undesignated paragraph as added by chapter 280 of the laws of 1984 4 and the tenth undesignated paragraph as amended by chapter 747 of the 5 laws of 2005, is amended to read as follows: 6 S 2. Statement of legislative findings and purposes. It is hereby 7 found and declared that there exists in [urban] SOME areas of this state 8 a condition of substantial and persistent unemployment and underemploy- 9 ment which causes hardship to many individuals and families, wastes 10 vital human resources, increases the public assistance burdens of the 11 state and municipalities, impairs the security of family life, contrib- 12 utes to the growth of crime and delinquency, prevents many of our youth 13 from finishing their [educations] EDUCATION, impedes the economic and 14 physical development of municipalities and adversely affects the welfare 15 and prosperity of all the people of the state. [Many existing indus- 16 trial, manufacturing and commercial facilities in such urban areas are 17 obsolete and inefficient, dilapidated, and without adequate mass trans- 18 portation facilities and public services. Many of such facilities are 19 underutilized or in the process of being vacated, creating additional 20 unemployment. Technological advances and the provision of modern, effi- 21 cient facilities in other states will speed the obsolescence and aban- 22 donment of existing facilities causing serious injury to the economy of EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD03585-04-3 A. 7878 2 1 the state. Many existing and planned industrial, manufacturing and 2 commercial facilities are, moreover, far from or not easily accessible 3 to the places of residence of substantial numbers of unemployed persons. 4 As a result, problems of chronic unemployment are not being alleviated 5 but are aggravated. New industrial, manufacturing and commercial facili- 6 ties are required to attract and house new industries and thereby to 7 reduce the hazards of unemployment. The unaided efforts of private 8 enterprise have not met and cannot meet the needs of providing such 9 facilities due to problems encountered in assembling suitable building 10 sites] 11 IT IS FURTHER FOUND AND DECLARED THAT THE UNAIDED EFFORTS OF PRIVATE 12 INDUSTRIAL, MANUFACTURING AND COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES ARE NEGATIVELY 13 AFFECTED BY AGING AND INEFFICIENT FACILITIES, DIFFICULTIES IN FINDING 14 SUITABLE BUILDING SITES FOR NEW FACILITIES, lack of adequate public 15 services, the unavailability of private capital for development [in such 16 urban areas], and the inability of private enterprise alone to plan[,] 17 AND finance DEVELOPMENT and TO coordinate [industrial and commercial 18 development] SUCH DEVELOPMENT with [residential developments for persons 19 and families of low income and with] AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT, 20 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS, public services and mass transportation 21 facilities. 22 It is further found and declared that there exist in many munici- 23 palities within this state [residential, nonresidential, commercial, 24 industrial or vacant areas, and combinations thereof, which are slum or 25 blighted, or which are becoming slum or blighted areas because of 26 substandard, insanitary, deteriorated or deteriorating conditions, 27 including obsolete and dilapidated buildings and structures, defective 28 construction, outmoded design, lack of proper sanitary facilities or 29 adequate fire or safety protection, excessive land coverage, insuffi- 30 cient light and ventilation, excessive population density, illegal uses 31 and conversions, inadequate maintenance, buildings abandoned or not 32 utilized in whole or substantial part, obsolete systems of utilities, 33 poorly or improperly designed street patterns and intersections, inade- 34 quate access to areas, traffic congestion hazardous to the public safe- 35 ty, lack of suitable off-street parking, inadequate loading and unload- 36 ing facilities, impractical street widths, sizes and shapes, blocks and 37 lots of irregular form, shape or insufficient size, width or depth, 38 unsuitable topography, subsoil or other physical conditions, all of] 39 BLIGHTED PROPERTIES AND BLIGHTED AREAS, WHICH ARE CHARACTERIZED BY PREM- 40 ISES UNFIT FOR HUMAN HABITATION AND DANGEROUS TO LIFE AND PROPERTY, AND 41 which hamper or impede proper and economic development of such areas and 42 which impair or arrest the sound growth of the area, community or muni- 43 cipality, and the state as a whole. 44 It is further found and declared that there is a serious need through- 45 out the state for adequate educational, recreational, cultural and other 46 community facilities, the lack of which threatens and adversely affects 47 the health, safety[, morals] and welfare of the people of the state. 48 It is further found and declared that there continues to exist 49 throughout the state a seriously inadequate supply of [safe and sani- 50 tary] ACCEPTABLE dwelling accommodations for persons and families of low 51 income. This condition is contrary to the public interest and threatens 52 the health, safety, welfare, comfort and security of the people of the 53 state. The ordinary operations of private enterprise cannot provide an 54 adequate supply of safe and sanitary dwelling accommodations [at 55 rentals] which persons and families of low income can afford. A. 7878 3 1 It is hereby declared to be the policy of the state to promote a 2 vigorous and growing economy, to prevent economic stagnation and to 3 encourage the creation of new job opportunities in order to protect 4 against the hazards of unemployment, reduce the level of public assist- 5 ance to now indigent individuals and families, increase revenues to the 6 state and to its municipalities and to achieve stable and diversified 7 local economies. In furtherance of these goals, it is the policy of the 8 state to retain existing industries and to attract new industries 9 through the acquisition, construction, FINANCING, reconstruction and 10 rehabilitation of industrial and manufacturing plants and commercial 11 facilities, and to develop sites for new industrial and commercial 12 building. It is further declared to be the policy of the state to 13 promote the development of such plants and facilities, reasonably acces- 14 sible to residential facilities, in those areas where substantial unem- 15 ployment or underemployment exists, to the end that the industrial and 16 commercial development [of our urban areas] will proceed in sound fash- 17 ion and in coordination with development of housing, mass transportation 18 and public services, and that job opportunities will be available in 19 those areas where people lack jobs. 20 IT IS FURTHER FOUND AND DECLARED THAT THERE IS AN URGENT NEED TO 21 PROTECT AND ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, TO ENCOURAGE 22 THE DEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSION OF EXISTING AND ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF 23 ENERGY AND THE CONSERVATION OF ENERGY, AND TO ABATE AND PREVENT THE 24 GENERATION OF HAZARDOUS WASTE, TOXIC BY-PRODUCTS, AND OTHER TYPES OF 25 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION. 26 It is further declared to be the policy of the state to promote the 27 safety, health[, morals] and welfare of the people of the state and to 28 promote the sound growth and development of our municipalities through 29 the [correction of such substandard, insanitary, blighted, deteriorated 30 or deteriorating conditions, factors and characteristics by the clear- 31 ance, replanning, reconstruction, redevelopment, rehabilitation, resto- 32 ration or conservation of such areas,] REDEVELOPMENT OF BLIGHTED AREAS 33 and [of areas reasonably accessible thereto] the undertaking of public 34 and private improvement programs [related thereto], including the 35 provision of educational, recreational and cultural facilities, and the 36 encouragement of participation in these programs by private enterprise. 37 IN FURTHERANCE OF THESE GOALS, IT IS THE POLICY OF THE STATE TO ENGAGE 38 AND EMPOWER THE PUBLIC THROUGH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY OUTREACH, 39 AND AN OPEN AND INCLUSIVE REDEVELOPMENT PLANNING PROCESS; TO COORDINATE 40 REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AND IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT 41 PLANNING GOALS; TO RESPECT COMMUNITIES' EXISTING SOCIAL AND CULTURAL 42 FABRIC AND TO LIMIT RESIDENTIAL AND BUSINESS DISPLACEMENT TO THE MAXIMUM 43 EXTENT POSSIBLE; TO REUSE EXISTING RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE AND 44 RECYCLE MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES; TO ENCOURAGE ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND 45 SUSTAINABLE BUILDING; TO CONSERVE UNDEVELOPED LAND AND ENCOURAGE INFILL 46 AND BROWNFIELD DEVELOPMENT; TO IMPROVE OR RESTORE NATURAL SYSTEMS SUCH 47 AS STREAMBEDS, DRAINAGE COURSES, WETLANDS, RIVERS, AND OTHER ECOLOGICAL 48 FEATURES, AND TO ENCOURAGE THE CREATION OF PUBLICLY AVAILABLE OPEN SPAC- 49 ES; TO ENSURE THAT ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION DOES NOT DISPARATELY AFFECT 50 AREAS WITH A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF MINORITY OR LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS; TO 51 INCORPORATE CULTURAL RESOURCES AND LANDSCAPES INTO PROJECT DESIGNS BY 52 PRESERVING AND REHABILITATING BUILDINGS WITH CULTURAL, HISTORICAL OR 53 ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE, ENCOURAGING ADAPTIVE REUSE AS AN ALTERNATIVE 54 TO DEMOLITION AND NEW CONSTRUCTION, AND ENCOURAGING COMPATIBLE DESIGN OF 55 NEW CONSTRUCTION; TO ENCOURAGE THE RETENTION AND CONSTRUCTION OF AFFORD- 56 ABLE HOUSING THROUGH INCENTIVES, LOANS, AND OTHER PROGRAMS; TO ENCOURAGE A. 7878 4 1 DEVELOPMENT THAT IS ACCESSIBLE AND INVITING TO PEDESTRIANS, BICYCLISTS 2 AND TRANSIT USERS, AND TO DISCOURAGE DEVELOPMENT THAT IS RELIANT ON 3 PERSONAL AUTOMOBILE TRANSPORTATION; TO INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR 4 PRIVATE ENTERPRISE, ESPECIALLY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, LOCAL BUSINESSES, 5 AND BUSINESSES OWNED BY MINORITIES AND WOMEN, THROUGH PROCEDURES THAT 6 ARE FAIR, OPEN, EQUITABLE, TRANSPARENT, AND DEMONSTRATED TO BE THE BEST 7 CHOICE FOR THE PUBLIC INTEREST; TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT SAFEGUARDS AND 8 PROTECTIONS IN THE EVENT THAT PRIVATE DEVELOPERS WITHDRAW FROM PARTIC- 9 IPATION IN A REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT OR IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM; TO INCREASE 10 EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY LOW INCOME 11 RESIDENTS, AND PERSONS WITH OTHER BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT, THROUGH JOB 12 TRAINING, LOCAL HIRING AND OTHER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS; AND TO ENCOURAGE 13 THE CREATION OF QUALITY JOBS. 14 It is further declared to be the policy of the state to promote the 15 safety, health[, morals] and welfare of the people of the state through 16 the provision of adequate, safe and sanitary dwelling accommodations and 17 facilities incidental or appurtenant thereto for persons and families of 18 low income. 19 For these purposes, there should be created a corporate governmental 20 agency to be known as the "New York state urban development corporation" 21 which, through issuance of bonds and notes to the private, investing 22 public, by encouraging maximum participation by the private sector of 23 the economy, including the sale or lease of the corporation's interest 24 in projects at the earliest time deemed feasible, and through partic- 25 ipation in programs undertaken by the state, its agencies and subdivi- 26 sions, and by municipalities and the federal government, may provide or 27 obtain the capital resources necessary to acquire, construct, recon- 28 struct, rehabilitate or improve such industrial, manufacturing, commer- 29 cial, educational, recreational and cultural facilities, and housing 30 accommodations for persons and families of low income, and facilities 31 incidental or appurtenant thereto, and to carry out the [clearance, 32 replanning, reconstruction and rehabilitation of such substandard and 33 insanitary] REDEVELOPMENT OF BLIGHTED areas. 34 It is further declared to be the policy of New York state to encourage 35 the development of research and development facilities and high technol- 36 ogy industrial incubator space at institutions of higher education 37 located in this state and authorized to confer degrees by law or by the 38 board of regents, or on lands in reasonable proximity to such insti- 39 tutions provided that (i) in the case of research and development facil- 40 ities such facilities are for the cooperative use of one or more such 41 institutions and one or more business corporations, research consortia 42 or other industrial organizations involved in research, development, 43 demonstration, or other technologically oriented industrial activities; 44 and (ii) in the case of high technology industrial incubator space, such 45 space shall be for rental to business concerns which are in their form- 46 ative stages and which are involved in high technology activities, 47 including but not limited to business concerns initiated by students, 48 employees of such institution, including faculty members and other 49 persons or firms academically associated with such institution. 50 It is hereby declared that the acquisition, construction, FINANCING, 51 reconstruction, rehabilitation or improvement of such industrial, manu- 52 facturing and commercial facilities, and of such cultural, educational 53 and recreational facilities including but not limited to facilities 54 identified as projects and called for to implement a state designated 55 heritage area management plan as provided in title G of the parks, 56 recreation and historic preservation law; the [clearance, replanning, A. 7878 5 1 reconstruction and rehabilitation of such substandard and insanitary] 2 REDEVELOPMENT OF BLIGHTED areas; and the provision of adequate, safe and 3 sanitary housing accommodations for persons and families of low income 4 and such facilities as may be incidental or appurtenant thereto are 5 public uses and public purposes for which public money may be loaned and 6 private property may be acquired and tax exemption granted, and that the 7 powers and duties of the New York state urban development corporation as 8 hereinafter prescribed are necessary and proper for the purpose of 9 achieving the ends here recited. 10 S 2. Subdivision 12 of section 3 of section 1 of chapter 174 of the 11 laws of 1968, constituting the New York state urban development corpo- 12 ration act, is REPEALED and a new subdivision 12 is added to read as 13 follows: 14 (12) "BLIGHTED PROPERTY OR BLIGHTED AREA". BLIGHTED PROPERTY OR 15 BLIGHTED AREA MEANS PROPERTY THAT IS DECLARED BLIGHTED. (A) A SINGLE 16 PROPERTY MAY BE DECLARED BLIGHTED IF IT MEETS ANY OF THE FOLLOWING 17 CONDITIONS: 18 1. IS UNFIT FOR HUMAN HABITATION. THIS MEANS A PREMISE WHICH HAS IDEN- 19 TIFIABLE CONDITIONS THAT ENDANGER THE LIFE, HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE 20 OWNERS, OCCUPANTS, OR THE PUBLIC. CONDITIONS RENDERING THE PROPERTY 21 UNFIT FOR HUMAN HABITATION INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, SUBSTANTIAL 22 STRUCTURAL DEFECTS, DILAPIDATION OR DETERIORATIONS, VERMIN INFESTATION, 23 LACK OF NECESSARY UTILITIES AND FIRE HAZARDS. 24 2. HAS DETERIORATED TO THE POINT WHERE SUCH PREMISES: 25 (A) IS STRUCTURALLY UNSOUND OR POSES AN IMMEDIATE THREAT TO LIFE OR 26 OTHER PROPERTY, OR 27 (B) THE COST OF REHABILITATION SIGNIFICANTLY EXCEEDS THE POST-REHABI- 28 LITATION MARKET VALUE; AND 29 3. THE OWNER FAILS TO REMEDY THE PROBLEMS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME 30 AFTER RECEIVING NOTICE OF VIOLATION BY THE APPROPRIATE GOVERNING BODY 31 REQUIRING THE OWNER TO: 32 (A) REHABILITATE THE BUILDING TO CONFORM TO MINIMUM CODE HABITABILITY 33 REQUIREMENTS; OR 34 (B) DEMOLISH THE BUILDING FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY REASONS. 35 4. IS AN ABANDONED PROPERTY. ABANDONED PROPERTY MEANS: 36 (A) UNOCCUPIED PROPERTY WHICH HAS BEEN TAX DELINQUENT FOR AT LEAST TWO 37 YEARS; OR 38 (B) A BUILDING THAT: 39 (I) IS UNOCCUPIED BY THE OWNER OR TENANTS; AND 40 (II) IS UNFIT FOR HUMAN HABITATION; AND 41 (III) HAS DETERIORATED TO THE POINT WHERE: 42 A. THE BUILDING IS STRUCTURALLY UNSOUND OR POSES AN IMMEDIATE THREAT 43 TO LIFE OR OTHER PROPERTY; OR 44 B. THE COST OF REHABILITATION SIGNIFICANTLY EXCEEDS THE POST-REHABILI- 45 TATION MARKET VALUE; AND 46 C. THE OWNER IS UNKNOWN OR THE OWNER FAILS TO RESPOND WITHIN SIX 47 MONTHS TO A VIOLATION NOTICE FROM THE APPROPRIATE GOVERNING BODY REQUIR- 48 ING THE OWNER TO: 49 (1) REHABILITATE THE BUILDING TO CONFORM TO MINIMUM HABITABILITY 50 REQUIREMENTS; OR 51 (2) DEMOLISH THE BUILDING FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY REASONS. 52 5. A VACANT LOT ON WHICH A BUILDING HAS BEEN DEMOLISHED AND FOR WHICH 53 A MUNICIPAL LIEN FOR DEMOLITION COSTS REMAINS UNPAID FOR SIX MONTHS. 54 6. IS ENVIRONMENTALLY CONTAMINATED REQUIRING REMEDIATION FOR CURRENT 55 OR FUTURE USE UNDER STATE OR FEDERAL LAW, IF THE OWNER FAILS TO ESTAB- 56 LISH A PLAN TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF RECEIVING NOTICE A. 7878 6 1 OF VIOLATION FROM THE APPROPRIATE GOVERNING BODY AND HAS TAKEN STEPS TO 2 REMEDY THE VIOLATION. 3 7. BECAUSE OF CONDITION OR USE, IS REGARDED AS A PUBLIC NUISANCE OR AN 4 ATTRACTIVE NUISANCE AT COMMON LAW OR HAS BEEN DECLARED A PUBLIC NUISANCE 5 OR AN ATTRACTIVE NUISANCE UNDER A NEW YORK STATUTE OR AN APPLICABLE 6 MUNICIPAL CODE, AND THE OWNER FAILS TO ABATE THE NUISANCE WITHIN SIX 7 MONTHS OF RECEIVING NOTICE OF VIOLATION FROM THE APPROPRIATE GOVERNING 8 BODY. 9 8. DEFECTIVE OR UNUSUAL CONDITIONS OF TITLE THAT MAKE THE FREE TRANS- 10 FER OR ALIENATION OF THE PROPERTY IMPOSSIBLE. 11 9. THAT HAS TAX DELINQUENCIES EXCEEDING THE VALUE OF THE PROPERTY 12 WHERE THE PROPERTY IS OCCUPIED OR UNOCCUPIED. 13 (B) PROPERTY SHALL IN NO CASE BE DECLARED BLIGHTED IF IT MEETS EITHER 14 OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA: 15 1. VACANT AND UNIMPROVED PROPERTY LOCATED IN ANY RURAL OR SUBURBAN 16 AREA WHICH IS NOT SERVED BY EXISTING UTILITIES. 17 2. PROPERTY WHICH SATISFIES THE DEFINITION OF "FARM WOODLAND", "LAND 18 USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION", "UNIQUE AND IRREPLACEABLE AGRICULTURAL 19 LAND", OR "VIABLE AGRICULTURAL LAND", AS THOSE TERMS ARE DEFINED IN 20 SECTION THREE HUNDRED ONE OF THE AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS LAW. 21 (C) FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SUBDIVISION, A BUILDING CONTAINING MULTIPLE 22 UNITS SHALL BE TREATED AS A SINGLE PROPERTY. 23 (D) FOR PURPOSES OF ACQUIRING MULTIPLE UNITS OF PROPERTY BY EMINENT 24 DOMAIN, AN AREA MAY BE DECLARED BLIGHTED ONLY IF: 25 1. AN AREA IS LOCATED IN AN URBAN OR SUBURBAN AREA GENERALLY SERVED BY 26 UTILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE; AND 27 2. SIXTY PERCENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL PARCELS IN THE AREA ARE DECLARED 28 BLIGHTED UNDER PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION AND REPRESENT A MAJORI- 29 TY OF THE GEOGRAPHICAL AREA OF THE PROJECT. 30 (E) A CONDEMNOR MAY USE EMINENT DOMAIN TO ACQUIRE ANY UNIT OF PROPERTY 31 WITHIN A BLIGHTED PROJECT AREA. 32 (F) PROPERTIES OWNED BY A DEVELOPER OR CONDEMNOR INVOLVED IN A REDE- 33 VELOPMENT PROJECT MAY BE INCLUDED IN ANY BLIGHTED PROJECT AREA DETERMI- 34 NATION. 35 (G) FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SUBDIVISION IF A DEVELOPER, CONDEMNOR OR 36 AGENCY INVOLVED IN A REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT HAS CAUSED OR BROUGHT ABOUT 37 BY ACTION OR INACTION OR MAINTAINED FOR MORE THAN SEVEN YEARS A CONDI- 38 TION LISTED IN SUBPARAGRAPH ONE OF PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION 39 WITHIN THE PROPOSED PROJECT AREA, THAT CONDITION MAY NOT BE USED IN THE 40 DETERMINATION OF BLIGHT. 41 (H) FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SUBDIVISION, IF PROPERTY LOCATED IN AN URBAN- 42 IZED AREA GENERALLY SERVED BY MUNICIPAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND UTILITIES 43 MEETS ONE OR MORE OF THE CONDITIONS LISTED IN SUBPARAGRAPH ONE OF PARA- 44 GRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION DUE TO FAILURE ON THE PART OF THE APPRO- 45 PRIATE GOVERNING BODY TO PROVIDE NECESSARY UTILITY SERVICES AND/OR 46 INFRASTRUCTURE, THAT CONDITION MAY NOT BE USED IN THE DETERMINATION OF 47 BLIGHT. 48 (I) ANY DECLARATION MADE PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL BE VALID 49 FOR A PERIOD OF UP TO TEN YEARS. 50 S 3. Section 10 of section 1 of chapter 174 of the laws of 1968, 51 constituting the New York state urban development corporation act, 52 subdivision (d) as amended by chapter 847 of the laws of 1971, subdivi- 53 sions (e) and (f) as added and subdivisions (g) and (h) as relettered by 54 chapter 839 of the laws of 1987, is amended to read as follows: 55 S 10. Findings of the corporation. Notwithstanding any other provision 56 of this act, the corporation shall not be empowered to undertake the A. 7878 7 1 acquisition, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation or improvement 2 of a project unless the corporation finds: 3 (a) in the case of a residential project: 4 (1) That there exists, in the area in which the project is to be 5 located, or in an area reasonably accessible to such area, a need for 6 safe and sanitary housing accommodations for persons or families of low 7 income, which the operations of private enterprise cannot provide; 8 (2) That the project has been approved as a project of a housing 9 company pursuant to the provisions of the private housing finance law. 10 (b) in the case of an industrial project: 11 (1) That the area in which the project is to be located is [a 12 substandard or insanitary area, or is in danger of becoming a substand- 13 ard or insanitary area, wherein] FOUND TO BE BLIGHTED AND there exists a 14 condition of substantial and persistent unemployment or underemployment; 15 (2) That the acquisition or construction and operation of such project 16 will prevent, eliminate or reduce unemployment or underemployment in 17 such area; 18 (3) That such project shall consist of a building or buildings which 19 are suitable for manufacturing, warehousing or research or other indus- 20 trial, business or commercial purposes[.]; 21 (4) That adequate provision has been, or will be made for the payment 22 of the cost of the acquisition, construction, operation, maintenance and 23 upkeep of such project[.]; 24 (5) That the acquisition and construction, proposed leasing, operation 25 and use of such project will aid in the development, growth and prosper- 26 ity of the state and the area in which such project is located; 27 (6) That the plans and specifications assure adequate light, air, 28 sanitation and fire protection. 29 (c) in the case of a land use improvement project: 30 (1) That the area in which the project is to be located is [a 31 substandard or insanitary area, or is in danger of becoming a substand- 32 ard or insanitary area] FOUND TO BE BLIGHTED and tends to impair or 33 arrest the sound growth and development of the municipality; 34 (2) That the project consists of a plan or undertaking for the clear- 35 ance, replanning, reconstruction and rehabilitation of such area and for 36 recreational and other facilities incidental or appurtenant thereto; 37 (3) That the plan or undertaking affords maximum opportunity for 38 participation by private enterprise, consistent with the sound needs of 39 the municipality as a whole. 40 (d) in the case of a civic project: 41 (1) That THE AREA IN WHICH THE PROJECT IS TO BE LOCATED IS A BLIGHTED 42 AREA WHEREIN there exists [in the area in which the project is to be 43 located,] a need for the educational, cultural, recreational, community, 44 municipal, public service or other civic facility to be included in the 45 project; 46 (2) That the project shall consist of a building or buildings or other 47 facilities which are suitable for educational, cultural, recreational, 48 community, municipal, public service or other civic purposes; 49 (3) That such project will be leased to or owned by the state or an 50 agency or instrumentality thereof, a municipality or an agency or 51 instrumentality thereof, a public corporation, or any other entity which 52 is carrying out a community, municipal, public service or other civic 53 purpose, and that adequate provision has been, or will be, made for the 54 payment of the cost of acquisition, construction, operation, maintenance 55 and upkeep of the project; A. 7878 8 1 (4) That the plans and specifications assure or will assure adequate 2 light, air, sanitation and fire protection. 3 (e) in the case of an industrial effectiveness project: 4 (1) That a feasibility study or productivity assessment exists demon- 5 strating the potential for future profitability of the firm requesting 6 financial assistance and such study or assessment has been reviewed and 7 approved by the commissioner of economic development; 8 (2) That for loans to implement a corporate restructuring or turn- 9 around plan, the management of the industrial firm requesting assistance 10 is capable and the firm has a sound business development plan that 11 includes measures to ensure labor and management cooperation and to 12 effect changes required to continue as a successful business; 13 (3) That the requested financial assistance is not available from 14 other public or private financing sources; and 15 (4) That the area in which the project is to be located is [a 16 substandard or insanitary area, or is in danger of becoming a substand- 17 ard or insanitary area, wherein] FOUND TO BE BLIGHTED AND there exists a 18 condition of substantial and persistent unemployment or underemployment. 19 (f) in the case of a small and medium-sized business assistance 20 project: 21 (1) That the area in which the project will be located is [a substand- 22 ard or insanitary area, or is in danger of becoming a substandard or 23 insanitary area, wherein] FOUND TO BE BLIGHTED AND there exists a condi- 24 tion of substantial and persistent unemployment or underemployment; 25 (2) That the project demonstrates market, management and financial 26 feasibility and has a clear likelihood of success; 27 (3) That the [industrial] firm provides at least a ten percent equity 28 contribution and such contribution is not derived from other govern- 29 mental sources; 30 (4) That the requested financial assistance is not available from 31 other public or private financing sources on terms compatible with the 32 successful completion of the project; 33 (5) That the project will not result in the relocation of any [indus- 34 trial] firm from one municipality within the state to another munici- 35 pality, OR IN THE ABANDONMENT OF ONE OR MORE OF THE FIRMS' PLANTS OR 36 FACILITIES LOCATED WITHIN THE AREA, except under one of the following 37 conditions: (i) when [an industrial] A firm is relocating within a muni- 38 cipality with a population of at least one million where the governing 39 body of such municipality approves such relocation; [or] (ii) the corpo- 40 ration notifies each municipality from which such [industrial] firm will 41 be relocated and each municipality agrees to such relocation; OR (III) 42 THE CORPORATION SHALL DETERMINE ON THE BASIS OF THE APPLICATION BEFORE 43 IT THAT THE PROJECT IS REASONABLY NECESSARY TO DISCOURAGE THE FIRM FROM 44 RELOCATING TO A LOCATION OUTSIDE THE STATE AND TO PRESERVE THE COMPET- 45 ITIVE POSITION OF THE FIRM WITHIN ITS RESPECTIVE INDUSTRY; and 46 (6) That the project is not for the purpose of refinancing any portion 47 of the total project cost or other existing loans or debts of the 48 project sponsor or owner. 49 (g) in the case of all projects, that [there is a feasible method for 50 the relocation of families and individuals displaced from the project 51 area into decent, safe and sanitary dwellings] THE DISPLACEMENT OF RESI- 52 DENTS AND BUSINESSES IS LIMITED TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT POSSIBLE, AND THAT 53 ALL DISPLACED RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES WILL BE AFFORDED ADEQUATE COMPEN- 54 SATION AND/OR ASSISTANCE TO BE RELOCATED TO SUBSTANTIALLY COMPARABLE 55 PROPERTIES, which are or will be [provided] LOCATED in the project area 56 or in [other areas] AN AREA REASONABLY PROXIMATE TO THE PROJECT AREA AND A. 7878 9 1 not generally less desirable in regard to public utilities and public 2 and commercial facilities, at SUBSTANTIALLY COMPARABLE rents or prices 3 [within the financial means of such families or individuals], and 4 reasonably accessible to their places of DWELLING AND/OR employment. 5 [Insofar as is feasible, the] THE corporation shall offer SUBSTANTIALLY 6 COMPARABLE housing accommodations to [such families and individuals] 7 DISPLACED RESIDENTS in [residential] projects [of the corporation] THAT 8 INCLUDE A RESIDENTIAL COMPONENT, AND INSOFAR AS IS FEASIBLE, THE CORPO- 9 RATION SHALL ASSIST IN FINDING SUBSTANTIALLY COMPARABLE INDUSTRIAL OR 10 COMMERCIAL ACCOMMODATIONS TO DISPLACED BUSINESSES IN PROJECTS THAT 11 INCLUDE AN INDUSTRIAL OR COMMERCIAL COMPONENT. The corporation may 12 render to business and commercial tenants and [to families or other 13 persons] displaced [from the project area,] RESIDENTS ANY OTHER such 14 assistance as it may deem [necessary to enable them to relocate] APPRO- 15 PRIATE. 16 (h) in the case of all projects, the corporation shall [state the 17 basis for its findings.]: 18 (1) IN THE CASE OF A SINGLE PROPERTY, MAKE WRITTEN FINDINGS IDENTIFY- 19 ING THE SPECIFIC CONDITIONS WHICH RENDER THE PROPERTY BLIGHTED UNDER 20 SUBDIVISION TWELVE OF SECTION THREE OF THIS ACT; 21 (2) IN THE CASE OF MULTIPLE PROPERTIES OR PROJECT AREAS, MAKE WRITTEN 22 FINDINGS DEMONSTRATING THAT THE REQUIREMENTS OF SUBDIVISION TWELVE OF 23 SECTION THREE OF THIS ACT HAVE BEEN MET. IN ORDER TO DEMONSTRATE THAT 24 SIXTY PERCENT OF THE PROPERTIES IN THE AREA ARE INDIVIDUALLY BLIGHTED 25 AND COMPRISE A MAJORITY OF THE GEOGRAPHICAL AREA OF THE PROJECT, EACH 26 BLIGHTED PROPERTY MUST BE IDENTIFIED AND THE SPECIFIC CONDITIONS RENDER- 27 ING IT BLIGHTED UNDER SUBDIVISION TWELVE OF SECTION THREE OF THIS ACT 28 MUST BE IDENTIFIED. 29 S 4. Section 103 of the eminent domain procedure law is amended by 30 adding three new subdivisions (H), (I) and (J) to read as follows: 31 (H) "BLIGHTED PROPERTY OR BLIGHTED AREA". BLIGHTED PROPERTY OR BLIGHT- 32 ED AREA MEANS PROPERTY THAT IS DECLARED BLIGHTED. (1) A SINGLE PROPERTY 33 MAY BE DECLARED BLIGHTED IF IT MEETS ANY OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: 34 (A) IS UNFIT FOR HUMAN HABITATION. THIS MEANS A PREMISE WHICH HAS 35 IDENTIFIABLE CONDITIONS THAT ENDANGER THE LIFE, HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE 36 OWNERS, OCCUPANTS, OR THE PUBLIC. CONDITIONS RENDERING THE PROPERTY 37 UNFIT FOR HUMAN HABITATION INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, SUBSTANTIAL 38 STRUCTURAL DEFECTS, DILAPIDATION OR DETERIORATIONS, VERMIN INFESTATION, 39 LACK OF NECESSARY UTILITIES AND FIRE HAZARDS. 40 (B) HAS DETERIORATED TO THE POINT WHERE SUCH PREMISES: 41 (I) IS STRUCTURALLY UNSOUND OR POSES AN IMMEDIATE THREAT TO LIFE OR 42 OTHER PROPERTY, OR 43 (II) THE COST OF REHABILITATION SIGNIFICANTLY EXCEEDS THE POST-REHABI- 44 LITATION MARKET VALUE; AND 45 (C) THE OWNER FAILS TO REMEDY THE PROBLEMS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME 46 AFTER RECEIVING NOTICE OF VIOLATION BY THE APPROPRIATE GOVERNING BODY 47 REQUIRING THE OWNER TO: 48 (I) REHABILITATE THE BUILDING TO CONFORM TO MINIMUM CODE HABITABILITY 49 REQUIREMENTS; OR 50 (II) DEMOLISH THE BUILDING FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY REASONS. 51 (D) IS AN ABANDONED PROPERTY. ABANDONED PROPERTY MEANS: 52 (I) UNOCCUPIED PROPERTY WHICH HAS BEEN TAX DELINQUENT FOR AT LEAST TWO 53 YEARS; OR 54 (II) A BUILDING THAT: 55 1. IS UNOCCUPIED BY THE OWNER OR TENANTS; AND 56 2. IS UNFIT FOR HUMAN HABITATION; AND A. 7878 10 1 3. HAS DETERIORATED TO THE POINT WHERE: 2 A. THE BUILDING IS STRUCTURALLY UNSOUND OR POSES AN IMMEDIATE THREAT 3 TO LIFE OR OTHER PROPERTY; OR 4 B. THE COST OF REHABILITATION SIGNIFICANTLY EXCEEDS THE POST-REHABILI- 5 TATION MARKET VALUE; AND 6 C. THE OWNER IS UNKNOWN OR THE OWNER FAILS TO RESPOND WITHIN SIX 7 MONTHS TO A VIOLATION NOTICE FROM THE APPROPRIATE GOVERNING BODY REQUIR- 8 ING THE OWNER TO: 9 (1) REHABILITATE THE BUILDING TO CONFORM TO MINIMUM HABITABILITY 10 REQUIREMENTS; OR 11 (2) DEMOLISH THE BUILDING FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY REASONS. 12 (E) A VACANT LOT ON WHICH A BUILDING HAS BEEN DEMOLISHED AND FOR WHICH 13 A MUNICIPAL LIEN FOR DEMOLITION COSTS REMAINS UNPAID FOR SIX MONTHS. 14 (F) IS ENVIRONMENTALLY CONTAMINATED REQUIRING REMEDIATION FOR CURRENT 15 OR FUTURE USE UNDER STATE OR FEDERAL LAW, IF THE OWNER FAILS TO ESTAB- 16 LISH A PLAN TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF RECEIVING NOTICE 17 OF VIOLATION FROM THE APPROPRIATE GOVERNING BODY AND HAS TAKEN STEPS TO 18 REMEDY THE VIOLATION. 19 (G) BECAUSE OF CONDITION OR USE, IS REGARDED AS A PUBLIC NUISANCE OR 20 AN ATTRACTIVE NUISANCE AT COMMON LAW OR HAS BEEN DECLARED A PUBLIC 21 NUISANCE OR AN ATTRACTIVE NUISANCE UNDER A NEW YORK STATUTE OR AN APPLI- 22 CABLE MUNICIPAL CODE, AND THE OWNER FAILS TO ABATE THE NUISANCE WITHIN 23 SIX MONTHS OF RECEIVING NOTICE OF VIOLATION FROM THE APPROPRIATE GOVERN- 24 ING BODY. 25 (H) DEFECTIVE OR UNUSUAL CONDITIONS OF TITLE THAT MAKE THE FREE TRANS- 26 FER OR ALIENATION OF THE PROPERTY IMPOSSIBLE. 27 (I) THAT HAS TAX DELINQUENCIES EXCEEDING THE VALUE OF THE PROPERTY 28 WHERE THE PROPERTY IS OCCUPIED OR UNOCCUPIED. 29 (2) PROPERTY SHALL IN NO CASE BE DECLARED BLIGHTED IF IT MEETS EITHER 30 OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA: 31 (A) VACANT AND UNIMPROVED PROPERTY LOCATED IN ANY RURAL OR SUBURBAN 32 AREA WHICH IS NOT SERVED BY EXISTING UTILITIES. 33 (B) PROPERTY WHICH SATISFIES THE DEFINITION OF "FARM WOODLAND", "LAND 34 USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION", "UNIQUE AND IRREPLACEABLE AGRICULTURAL 35 LAND", OR "VIABLE AGRICULTURAL LAND", AS THOSE TERMS ARE DEFINED IN 36 SECTION THREE HUNDRED ONE OF THE AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS LAW. 37 (3) FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SUBDIVISION, A BUILDING CONTAINING MULTIPLE 38 UNITS SHALL BE TREATED AS A SINGLE PROPERTY. 39 (4) FOR PURPOSES OF ACQUIRING MULTIPLE UNITS OF PROPERTY BY EMINENT 40 DOMAIN, AN AREA MAY BE DECLARED BLIGHTED ONLY IF: 41 (A) AN AREA IS LOCATED IN AN URBAN OR SUBURBAN AREA GENERALLY SERVED 42 BY UTILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE; AND 43 (B) SIXTY PERCENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL PARCELS IN THE AREA ARE DECLARED 44 BLIGHTED UNDER PARAGRAPH ONE OF THIS SUBDIVISION AND REPRESENT A MAJORI- 45 TY OF THE GEOGRAPHICAL AREA OF THE PROJECT. 46 (5) A CONDEMNOR MAY USE EMINENT DOMAIN TO ACQUIRE ANY UNIT OF PROPERTY 47 WITHIN A BLIGHTED PROJECT AREA. 48 (6) PROPERTIES OWNED BY A DEVELOPER OR CONDEMNOR INVOLVED IN A REDE- 49 VELOPMENT PROJECT MAY BE INCLUDED IN ANY BLIGHTED PROJECT AREA DETERMI- 50 NATION. 51 (7) FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SUBDIVISION IF A DEVELOPER, CONDEMNOR OR 52 AGENCY INVOLVED IN A REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT HAS CAUSED OR BROUGHT ABOUT 53 BY ACTION OR INACTION OR MAINTAINED FOR MORE THAN SEVEN YEARS A CONDI- 54 TION LISTED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (A) OF PARAGRAPH ONE OF THIS SUBDIVISION 55 WITHIN THE PROPOSED PROJECT AREA, THAT CONDITION MAY NOT BE USED IN THE 56 DETERMINATION OF BLIGHT. A. 7878 11 1 (8) FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SUBDIVISION, IF PROPERTY LOCATED IN AN URBAN- 2 IZED AREA GENERALLY SERVED BY MUNICIPAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND UTILITIES 3 MEETS ONE OR MORE OF THE CONDITIONS LISTED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (A) OF PARA- 4 GRAPH ONE OF THIS SUBDIVISION DUE TO FAILURE ON THE PART OF THE APPRO- 5 PRIATE GOVERNING BODY TO PROVIDE NECESSARY UTILITY SERVICES AND/OR 6 INFRASTRUCTURE, THAT CONDITION MAY NOT BE USED IN THE DETERMINATION OF 7 BLIGHT. 8 (9) ANY DECLARATION MADE PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL BE VALID 9 FOR A PERIOD OF UP TO TEN YEARS. 10 (I) "SLUM" MEANS PROPERTY THAT IS DECLARED BLIGHTED UNDER SECTION TWO 11 HUNDRED FOUR-A OF THIS CHAPTER. 12 (J) "SUBSTANDARD AND UNSANITARY PROPERTY" MEANS PROPERTY THAT IS 13 DECLARED BLIGHTED UNDER SECTION TWO HUNDRED FOUR-A OF THIS CHAPTER. 14 S 5. Paragraph 4 of subdivision (B) of section 204 of the eminent 15 domain procedure law is amended and a new paragraph 5 is added to read 16 as follows: 17 (4) such other factors as it considers relevant[.]; 18 (5) THE FINDINGS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION (D) OF SECTION TWO 19 HUNDRED FOUR-A OF THIS ARTICLE. 20 S 6. The eminent domain procedure law is amended by adding a new 21 section 204-a to read as follows: 22 S 204-A. BLIGHTED PROPERTIES AND AREAS. (A) SUBJECT TO THE EXCEPTIONS 23 LISTED IN PARAGRAPH TWO OF SUBDIVISION (B) OF THIS SECTION, ANY SINGLE 24 PROPERTY MAY BE DECLARED BLIGHTED IF IT MEETS ANY OF THE FOLLOWING 25 CONDITIONS: 26 (1) ANY PREMISES, WHICH BECAUSE OF DILAPIDATION, DETERIORATION, STRUC- 27 TURAL DEFECTS, VERMIN INFESTATION, HEALTH HAZARDS, FIRE HAZARDS, LACK OF 28 UTILITIES, LACK OF FACILITIES OR EQUIPMENT REQUIRED BY STATUTE OR MUNIC- 29 IPAL CODE, NEGLECT, OR LACK OF MAINTENANCE: 30 (A) IS UNFIT FOR HUMAN HABITATION; 31 (B) HAS DETERIORATED TO THE POINT WHERE: 32 (I) THE BUILDING IS STRUCTURALLY UNSOUND OR POSES AN IMMEDIATE THREAT 33 TO LIFE OR OTHER PROPERTY; OR 34 (II) THE COST OF REHABILITATION SIGNIFICANTLY EXCEEDS THE POST-REHABI- 35 LITATION MARKET VALUE; AND 36 (C) THE OWNER FAILS TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME 37 AFTER RECEIVING NOTICE OF VIOLATION BY THE APPROPRIATE GOVERNING BODY 38 REQUIRING THE OWNER TO: 39 (I) REHABILITATE THE BUILDING TO CONFORM TO MINIMUM CODE HABITABILITY 40 REQUIREMENTS; OR 41 (II) DEMOLISH THE BUILDING FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY REASONS. 42 (2) ANY ABANDONED PROPERTY AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION (H) OF SECTION 43 ONE HUNDRED THREE OF THIS CHAPTER. 44 (3) PROPERTY THAT IS ENVIRONMENTALLY CONTAMINATED REQUIRING REMEDI- 45 ATION FOR CURRENT OR FUTURE USE UNDER STATE OR FEDERAL LAW, IF THE OWNER 46 FAILS TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF RECEIVING NOTICE OF 47 VIOLATION FROM THE APPROPRIATE GOVERNING BODY. 48 (4) A PREMISES WHICH, BECAUSE OF PHYSICAL CONDITION OR USE, IS 49 REGARDED AS A PUBLIC NUISANCE AT COMMON LAW OR HAS BEEN DECLARED A 50 PUBLIC NUISANCE UNDER A STATUTE OR AN APPLICABLE MUNICIPAL CODE, AND THE 51 OWNER FAILS TO ABATE THE NUISANCE WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF RECEIVING NOTICE 52 OF VIOLATION FROM THE APPROPRIATE GOVERNING BODY. 53 (5) PROPERTY THAT HAS BECOME OVERGROWN WITH WEEDS, IS A PLACE FOR THE 54 ACCUMULATION OF TRASH AND DEBRIS, OR A HAVEN FOR VERMIN, IF THE OWNER 55 FAILS TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM WITHIN SIX MONTHS AFTER RECEIVING NOTICE OF A. 7878 12 1 VIOLATION BY THE APPROPRIATE GOVERNING BODY REQUIRING THE OWNER TO REHA- 2 BILITATE THE PROPERTY TO CONFORM WITH MINIMUM CODE REQUIREMENTS. 3 (6) DEFECTIVE OR UNUSUAL CONDITIONS OF TITLE THAT MAKE THE FREE TRANS- 4 FER OR ALIENATION OF THE PROPERTY IMPOSSIBLE. 5 (7) OCCUPIED OR UNOCCUPIED PROPERTY THAT HAS TAX DELINQUENCIES EXCEED- 6 ING THE VALUE OF THE PROPERTY. 7 (8) PROPERTY THAT IS USED FOR PERVASIVE AND PERSISTENT CRIMINAL ACTIV- 8 ITY. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, SUCH ACTIVITY SHALL BE DEFINED AS TWO 9 OR MORE CONVICTIONS OF ANY PERSON OR PERSONS HAD, WITHIN A PERIOD OF ONE 10 YEAR, FOR ANY OF THE FOLLOWING PENAL LAW OFFENSES ARISING OUT OF CONDUCT 11 ENGAGED IN AT THE PROPERTY: 12 (A) SALE OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE DESCRIBED IN SECTIONS 220.31, 13 220.34, 220.39, 220.41, OR 220.43 OF THE PENAL LAW; OR 14 (B) OFFENSES RELATED TO THE CRIME OF PROSTITUTION AS DESCRIBED IN 15 ARTICLE TWO HUNDRED THIRTY OF THE PENAL LAW; OR 16 (C) OFFENSES RELATED TO THE CRIME OF GAMBLING AS DESCRIBED IN ARTICLE 17 TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-FIVE OF THE PENAL LAW; OR 18 (D) ENTERPRISE CORRUPTION AS DEFINED IN ARTICLE FOUR HUNDRED SIXTY OF 19 THE PENAL LAW. 20 (9) PROPERTY THAT DOES NOT OTHERWISE MEET ANY OF THE CONDITIONS LISTED 21 IN THIS SECTION MAY NOT BE DECLARED BLIGHTED. 22 (B) NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF SUBDIVISION (A) OF THIS SECTION, 23 THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTIONS SHALL APPLY: 24 (1) PROPERTY SHALL IN NO CASE BE DECLARED BLIGHTED IF IT MEETS ONE OR 25 MORE OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA: 26 (A) VACANT AND UNIMPROVED PROPERTY LOCATED IN ANY RURAL OR SUBURBAN 27 AREA WHICH IS NOT SERVED BY EXISTING UTILITIES. 28 (B) PROPERTY WHICH SATISFIES THE DEFINITION OF "FARM WOODLAND", "LAND 29 USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION", "UNIQUE AND IRREPLACEABLE AGRICULTURAL 30 LAND", OR "VIABLE AGRICULTURAL LAND", AS THOSE TERMS ARE DEFINED IN 31 SECTION THREE HUNDRED ONE OF THE AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS LAW. 32 (2) FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, IF A DEVELOPER OR CONDEMNOR INVOLVED 33 IN A REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT HAS CAUSED OR BROUGHT ABOUT BY ACTION OR 34 INACTION OR MAINTAINED FOR MORE THAN SEVEN YEARS A CONDITION LISTED IN 35 SUBDIVISION (A) OF THIS SECTION WITHIN THE PROPOSED PROJECT AREA, THAT 36 CONDITION MAY NOT BE USED IN THE DETERMINATION OF BLIGHT. 37 (3) FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, IF PROPERTY LOCATED IN AN URBANIZED 38 AREA GENERALLY SERVED BY MUNICIPAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND UTILITIES MEETS 39 ONE OR MORE OF THE CONDITIONS LISTED IN SUBDIVISION (A) OF THIS SECTION 40 DUE TO FAILURE ON THE PART OF THE APPROPRIATE GOVERNING BODY TO PROVIDE 41 NECESSARY UTILITY SERVICES AND/OR INFRASTRUCTURE, THAT CONDITION MAY NOT 42 BE USED IN THE DETERMINATION OF BLIGHT. 43 (C) MULTIPLE PROPERTIES AND PROJECT AREAS MAY BE DECLARED BLIGHTED IF 44 THEY MEET ANY OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: 45 (1) FOR PURPOSES OF ACQUIRING MULTIPLE UNITS OF PROPERTY BY EMINENT 46 DOMAIN, AN AREA MAY BE DECLARED GENERALLY BLIGHTED ONLY IF: 47 (A) THE AREA IS LOCATED IN AN URBAN OR SUBURBAN AREA GENERALLY SERVED 48 BY EXISTING UTILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE; AND 49 (B) SIXTY PERCENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL PARCELS IN THE AREA ARE DECLARED 50 BLIGHTED UNDER SUBDIVISION (A) OF THIS SECTION. 51 (2) A CONDEMNOR MAY USE EMINENT DOMAIN TO ACQUIRE ANY UNIT OF PROPERTY 52 WITHIN A BLIGHTED PROJECT AREA. 53 (3) PROPERTIES OWNED BY A DEVELOPER OR CONDEMNOR INVOLVED IN A REDE- 54 VELOPMENT PROJECT MAY BE INCLUDED IN ANY BLIGHTED PROJECT AREA DETERMI- 55 NATION. A. 7878 13 1 (4) FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, A BUILDING CONTAINING MULTIPLE UNITS 2 SHALL BE TREATED AS A SINGLE PROPERTY. 3 (D) THE FOLLOWING FINDINGS SHALL BE REQUIRED BEFORE A PROPERTY OR 4 PROJECT AREA MAY BE DECLARED BLIGHTED: 5 (1) TO DECLARE ANY SINGLE PROPERTY BLIGHTED, THE CONDEMNOR MUST MAKE 6 WRITTEN FINDINGS IDENTIFYING THE SPECIFIC CONDITIONS WHICH RENDER THE 7 PROPERTY BLIGHTED UNDER SUBDIVISION (A) OF THIS SECTION. 8 (2) TO DECLARE MULTIPLE PROPERTIES OR PROJECT AREAS BLIGHTED, THE 9 CONDEMNOR MUST MAKE WRITTEN FINDINGS DEMONSTRATING THAT THE REQUIREMENTS 10 OF SUBDIVISION (C) OF THIS SECTION HAVE BEEN MET. TO DEMONSTRATE THAT 11 SEVENTY-FIVE PERCENT OF THE PARCELS IN THE AREA ARE INDIVIDUALLY BLIGHT- 12 ED, EACH BLIGHTED PARCEL MUST BE IDENTIFIED AND THE SPECIFIC CONDITIONS 13 RENDERING IT BLIGHTED UNDER SUBDIVISION (A) OF THIS SECTION MUST BE 14 IDENTIFIED. 15 (E) ANY DECLARATION MADE PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION (D) OF THIS SECTION 16 SHALL BE VALID FOR A PERIOD OF TEN YEARS. 17 S 7. This act shall take effect immediately.