N.Y. R.R. Law § 220
Upon the application of at least fifty reputable householders and taxpayers of any county or city, verified upon oath before a justice of the supreme court, that there is need in said county or city of a steam railroad in the streets, avenues and public places thereof for the transportation of passengers, mails or freight, the board of supervisors of such county may, within thirty days thereafter by resolution, approve of the application, and authorize its presentation to the supreme court, and if the railroad is to be built wholly within the limits of a city, upon the application of a like number of householders and taxpayers of the city to the mayor thereof, such mayor may, within thirty days thereafter, indorse upon the application his approval and direction that it may be presented to the supreme court, and if the railroad is to be built partly within the limits of a city and partly without, such application shall be approved, both by the mayor of the city and the board of supervisors of the county, and its presentation to the supreme court authorized by them, and upon the presentation of such application so approved and authorized to a special term of the supreme court, held in the district where such railroad is to be built, or some part thereof, the court may appoint five commissioners, residents of the city if the railroad is to be built wholly within the city, and of the county, if it is to be built wholly or partly outside of the limits of a city, to determine the necessity of such railroad, the route thereof, the time within which and the conditions upon which it shall be constructed, the damages to the property owners along the line thereof and all the matters lawfully submitted to them, and discharge the duties imposed upon them by law.
N.Y. R.R. Law § 220