Areas within the easement volume not used for circulation purposes may be developed in accordance with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority specifications, provided they do not interfere with pedestrian circulation and are made of removable structures. In no event shall such permitted uses be located within 10 feet of a pedestrian entrance to the subway at curb level.

In addition, any portion of the transit easement volume at curb level not to be covered for weather protection, may contain trees, benches or any obstructions permitted in a public plaza area. However, such elements shall not interfere with the pedestrian movement.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the City Planning Commission may permit penetration of the transit easement volume above curb level by a building lobby, including building columns, where such lobby space serves as a part of the pedestrian circulation system and provides from it direct public access to the subway entrance within the easement volume.

Where construction within a transit easement volume is more than five feet in height above curb level, such construction proposal shall be submitted to the Commission for a review and certification to ensure that such construction relates harmoniously to the total development. When a transit easement volume is located within a building, it shall be open to the general public for the same hours of operation as the subway station.

Building columns or footings are permitted inside the transit easement volume, provided that the minimum clear distance between any columns is 12 feet and between the columns and any bounding walls of the transit easement volume is 10 feet. Where the width of an easement is greater than 20 feet, location of columns within the easement volume shall be established in consultation with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. In all cases, the depth of columns or footings within the easement area or adjoining area shall be established in consultation with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Furthermore, vertical space between such columns shall be open and unobstructed from its base except for any construction permitted under the provisions of this Chapter.