The general assembly finds and declares that:

(1) There are areas in counties and municipalities of this state that have a transit deficiency where the absence of facilities for high capacity transit options constitutes a serious and growing menace that is injurious to the public health, safety, morals, and welfare of residents;

Terms Used In Tennessee Code 13-20-701

(2) The existence of such transit-deficient areas constitutes an economic and social liability imposing onerous burdens that substantially impair or arrest sound growth, aggravate traffic problems, and substantially hamper the elimination of traffic hazards, the implementation of solutions to traffic congestion, and the improvement of traffic facilities;
(3) The prevention and elimination of such transit-deficient areas is a matter of state policy and state concern in order that the state and its counties and municipalities shall not continue to be endangered by such areas;
(4) Certain transit-deficient areas, or portions thereof, may require acquisition, clearance, and disposition, subject to use restrictions, as provided in this part, since the prevailing conditions make impracticable the reclamation of the area by conservation or rehabilitation;
(5) Other areas, or portions thereof, may, through the means provided in this part, be susceptible to conservation or rehabilitation in such a manner that the conditions and evils enumerated may be eliminated, remedied, or prevented;
(6) Such areas can be conserved and rehabilitated through appropriate public action to decrease vehicular congestion for residents, provide suitable density for development, and prevent sprawl into rural areas of the state, and through the cooperation and voluntary action of the owners and tenants of property in such areas; and
(7) The powers conferred under this part are for public uses and purposes for which public money may be expended and police power exercised, and the necessity in the public interest is declared as a matter of legislative determination.
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