MTA free of zoning shackles
[Gov] Cuomo vetoes a bill to limit a new definition of ‘transportation purposes’
Tacked onto the budget was a revision of New York public authorities law that changed the definition of “transportation purposes.” The MTA, a public authority, had previously been allowed to develop their property without restriction or obligation to follow local zoning laws as long as it was for transportation purposes, like storing equipment or building a subway station. Under the new law, the two words have far broader implications: “‘Transportation purpose’ shall mean a purpose that directly or indirectly supports all or any of the missions or purposes of the authority, any of its subsidiaries, New York City transit authority or its subsidiary, including the realization of revenues available for the costs and expenses of all or any transportation facilities.” This put all 656 known MTA properties in play for unrestricted development.
http://www.chelseanewsny.com/local-news/20161205/mta-free-of-zoning-shacklesSo now the NY MTA can do TODas has been the established norm for any other foreign transit agency elsewhere in the world.
