Provides for the regulation of erection or maintenance of advertising devices in the metropolitan commuter transportation district

§ 1266-j. 1. Restricts the erection or maintenance of any advertising device located upon authority facilities without a permit. 2. Defines the term "advertising device". 3. Authorizes the authority to create standards and regulations governing the issuance or permits or renewals for advertising devices within two hundred seventy days from the effective date of this bill and outlines the specific objectives the standards and regulations should meet. 4. Allows the authority to limit the application of any regulation adopted to exclude or include, in whole or in part specified areas or the metropolitan commuter transportation district, particular types or classes of advertising devices, and the erection or maintenance of advertising devices in particular sections or portions of the metropolitan commuter transportation district. 5. Authorizes that application for permits or renewals thereof shall be on forms prescribed by the authority and shall contain such information as the authority may require. 6. States that the permit or renewal thereof shall be revocable at any time on thirty days notice to the permittee in the event of a violation of the requirement of this section or any regulation lawfully adopted hereunder. 7. Authorizes the authority by regulation may exclude from the coverage of this section advertising devices which it finds do not interfere with safety on the thruway system or highway or contravene any of the other standards set forth in this section. 8. States that nothing in this section shall apply with respect to any property which is owned or leased by the state of New York or any agency thereof or with respect to which the state of New York or any agency thereof has or shall have a valid easement or covenant with the owner thereof concerning the restriction, removal or prohibition of advertising devices. 9. Authorizes that nothing in this section shall be construed to abrogate or affect the provisions of any municipal ordinance, regulation or resolution which are more restrictive concerning advertising devices than the provisions of this section or of the regulations adopted hereunder.

Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.

Justification

Currently, there are no standards or regulations for advertising devices in the metropolitan commuter transportation district (MCTD). Far too often we see advertisements whose size and scope do not blend in with the community in which it is erected. This legislation would mandate the Metropolitan Transportation Authority create a set of standards and regulations that would take into account several factors including, but limited to: providing for the maximum visibility along the metropolitan commuter transportation district and connecting roads or highways; preventing unreasonable distraction of operators of motor vehicles; preventing confusion with regard to traffic lights, signs or signals or otherwise interfere with the effectiveness of traffic regulations; preserving and enhancing the natural scenic beauty or the aesthetic features of the metropolitan commuter transportation district and adjacent areas; and to promote maximum safety, comfort and well-being of the users of the metropolitan commuter transportation district services.

Standards such as these will help protect the communities within the MCTD from being troubled with overbearing and out-of-place advertisements the size of which appears more proper for a highway than a residential neighborhood. There needs to be a clear distinction between the types of advertising devices erected in a residential neighborhood and those erected on the thruway system or highway.

Legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

Immediately.