File #: Res 1869-2013    Version: * Name: Provide a property tax exemption for privately owned vacant land while such property is being used for the public benefit. (S.5810/A.7823)
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Finance
On agenda: 7/24/2013
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling on the New York State Assembly to pass A.7823, the New York State Senate to pass companion bill S.5810, and the Governor to sign such legislation into law, which would provide a property tax exemption for privately owned vacant land while such property is being used for the public benefit.
Sponsors: Stephen T. Levin, Margaret S. Chin, Leroy G. Comrie, Jr., Inez E. Dickens, Brad S. Lander, Rosie Mendez, Deborah L. Rose, Ruben Wills, Ydanis A. Rodriguez, James G. Van Bramer
Council Member Sponsors: 10
Res. No. 1869
 
Resolution calling on the New York State Assembly to pass A.7823, the New York State Senate to pass companion bill S.5810, and the Governor to sign such legislation into law, which would provide a property tax exemption for privately owned vacant land while such property is being used for the public benefit.
 
 
By Council Members Levin, Chin, Comrie, Dickens, Lander, Mendez, Rose, Wills, Rodriguez and Van Bramer
Whereas, In the urban landscape of the city of New York, there is a demand for public space and a need for the benefits that derive therefrom; and
Whereas, It has been shown that public spaces such as community gardens stabilize neighborhoods and add vitality to their immediate surroundings; and  
Whereas, In addition to community gardens, urban farms have proven to be a crucial link in providing fresh food of different varieties to areas that may not have sufficient access to such fresh food; and
Whereas, So-called "pop-up parks," or land that is intentionally temporarily transformed into park area, are another recent urban development that provide additional space to the public for rest and recreation; and
Whereas, The aforementioned publicly beneficial uses of vacant land could improve the quality of life in any neighborhood in the city; and
Whereas, There exist in the city numerous parcels of privately owned vacant land, which are not currently under development for economic or other reasons; and
Whereas, Private owners of such vacant land may need financial incentive to develop their property, even temporarily, into positive amenities for the public; and
Whereas, A.7823, introduced on June 5, 2013 in the New York State Assembly, and S.5810, introduced on June 17, 2013 in the New York State Senate, would provide such a financial incentive in the form of a property tax exemption for privately owned vacant property for so long as such property is limited to use for the public benefit; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Assembly to pass A.7823, the New York State Senate to pass companion bill S.5810, and the Governor to sign such legislation into law, which would provide a property tax exemption for privately owned vacant land while such property is being used for the public benefit.
 
JH/TE
LS #4830