S 1247: Requires that when the state or an organization is attempting to convert land to public use in a municipality with a population of less than one million, a hearing shall be held in such municipality where such land is located to allow for public comment and input from neighbors; requires a ten day notice of such hearing to members of the community.

  
  STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 1247 2025-2026 Regular Sessions  IN SENATE January 8, 2025 ___________ Introduced by Sen. ADDABBO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Local Government AN ACT to amend the general municipal law, in relation to requiring a public hearing to be held when land is proposed to be converted for public use The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. The general municipal law is amended by adding a new 2 section 96-aa to read as follows: 3 § 96-aa. Conversion of land for certain public use; public hearing 4 required. 1. In any municipality with a population of less than one 5 million, where the state or any organization is attempting to convert 6 land or property owned to public use for the purposes of, including but 7 not limited to trails, park areas and recreation areas, it shall be 8 required that the state or any such organization holds a public hearing 9 with the town board, planning board or zoning board of the municipality 10 in which such land proposed to be converted is located, to hold public 11 comment and allow for neighbors within a five-mile radius of the land 12 proposed to be converted and other members of the community to bring 13 forth and address any privacy or safety concerns. 14 2. When a hearing is scheduled pursuant to subdivision one of this 15 section, the municipality which is conducting such hearing shall provide 16 at least ten days' notice of such hearing to members of the community in 17 a clear and conspicuous manner on the municipality's website and shall 18 mail notice of such hearing to all properties within a five-mile radius 19 of the proposed location of the land to be converted. 20 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately. EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD03062-01-5