What's happening
The bill requires land development or construction projects approved within a year before COVID-19 to be reevaluated if work hasn't started.
Why it matters
Ensures projects reflect new realities. By requiring reevaluation, the bill makes sure that approved projects account for changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic—such as shifts in population, business needs, or public health considerations—that weren’t known at the time of the original approval.
Adds oversight and public input. The mandated land use review process opens the door for updated community feedback and government scrutiny, potentially leading to modifications or even rejection of projects no longer considered appropriate or beneficial post-pandemic.
May impact project timelines and costs. Developers with projects approved just before COVID-19, but not yet started, face possible delays and additional expenses due to the need for a new review, which could affect financial viability and local economic development plans.
Addresses local impacts and suitability. The bill aims to prevent outdated or ill-suited developments from moving forward in communities that may have seen significant changes or new challenges as a result of the pandemic.
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Who cares
Developers and construction project owners
Projects approved by the state or a municipality within one year before March 7, 2020, would require a new land use review if work has not begun.
State and municipal land use agencies
The bill would require reevaluation of covered projects to determine whether they remain suitable under their original approvals, accounting for adverse COVID-19 effects.
Residents near covered projects
Reevaluation would have to consider and address adverse pandemic effects on the surrounding area that were not considered during the original approval process.
Headline styles
Rethink Pre-Pandemic Projects
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 14
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to rules
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Reevaluate Pre-Pandemic Projects
In Assembly Committee · Local Governments · Sponsor Stacey Pheffer Amato
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8560
IN SENATE
June 16, 2020
Introduced by Sen. COMRIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT in relation to requiring any land development or construction project approved one year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic to be reevaluated through a land use review process if work has not been commenced on such project
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, any land use, land development or construction project which was approved by the state or a local municipality within one year prior to the state of emergency declared by executive order 202 that began on March 7, 2020 shall be reevaluated through a land use review process if work has not yet been commenced on such project. Such reevaluation shall ensure that such project is still suitable to be constructed or developed pursuant to the original approval granted, while taking into consideration and addressing any adverse effects that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on such project or the area where such project is located which was not considered during the initial approval process.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD16190-01-0
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act in relation to requiring any land development or construction project approved one year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic to be reevalu- ated through a land use review process if work has not been commenced on such project
Purpose or general idea of bill
To require certain land development or construction projects to be reevaluated through a land use review process.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 states that any development planned within a year of the Governor's Executive Order 202 be reviewed to determine its impact as it relates to a future health pandemic before construction begins.
Section 2 is the effective date.
Justification
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the inequities and disparities in our healthcare system, especially as it relates to a neighborhoods ability to fight a rapidly spreading infectious disease. For example, in the 23rd Assembly District representing nearly 150,000 constituents, which had one of the early hotspots of this illness there is only one hospital and limited acute care and ICU capacity.
Additionally, there are thousands of planned units of development that will bring increased density even more potential patients to our neigh- borhoods, and at no point did a development have to secure any acute care medical space through their land use review process with the City of New York. This puts medically underserved communities at great risk, and before any of these planned projects begin the City must review them to ensure that they do not have a significant burden on an already strained healthcare system.
Prior legislative history
None
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
n/a
Effective date
Effective immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.