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National Media Highlights Lack of Oversight and Failure of Redevelopment Projects
A recent article in the LA Times highlights how redevelopment agencies in California have operated with little or no oversight for years and, as a result, redevelopment projects are stalled or failing. The article is endemic of eminent domain abuse that has occurred across the country as highlighted in the following: St. Louis Business Journal: Hadley developers are no-show... Read More
Trans Hudson Tunnel Project Canceled By Governor Christie
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie today canceled the multi-billion dollar “ARC” Hudson River commuter train tunnel — America’s largest public works project. This action follows a moratorium which had been imposed on the project to study its fiscal impact. Governor Christie stated that the tunnel project costs “far more than New Jersey taxpayers can afford and the... Read More
Neptune Redevelopment Challenge Dismissed
A New Jersey appellate court has affirmed a trial judge’s dismissal of a citizen’s challenge to the Township of Neptune‘s designation of five acres as an “area in need of redevelopment “under the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law (“LRHL”). The court also dismissed the objector’s challenge to the township’s subsequent adoption of a redevelopment plan. The court held that... Read More
New Jersey Road, Rail Projects Suspended
The New Jersey Department of Transportation has suspended approximately 100 state-funded road and rail projects in their early stages while the State contemplates how it will finance needed infrastructure improvements in the future. This announcement follows yesterday’s resumption of work resumed on many transportation projects that NJDOT Commissioner James Simpson had ordered stopped last Friday. According to Simpson, the original stoppage was due... Read More
Rise in Appeals Causes Municipal Budget Crunch
New Jersey municipalities are facing serious budget deficits, as they experience the fallout of reduced property tax revenues resulting from a record number of property tax appeals filed in recent years. Property owners who are successful in tax appeals are entitled to refunds under New Jersey law. These refunds have created troublesome deficits at the... Read More
Newark Church Denied Property Tax Exemption
Church Not Exempt and Subject to Foreclosure for Failure to Pay Taxes A New Jersey appellate court has affirmed a trial court’s ruling that will allow the City of Newark to foreclose on a warehouse property owned by Yes Lord Ministries, Inc. Yes Lord, a religious organization qualified for exemption from the payment of taxes under federal law... Read More
NJ Supreme Court Rules That Replenished Beach Area is Public Property
Long Branch Property Owners Denied Compensation for Beach Expansion The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled yesterday that beachfront land created by government replenishment projects is public property, and does not become part of the private property owned by adjacent property owners. This ruling was made in an eminent domain case involving beachfront property in what... Read More
$6.5 Million Recovered to Clean Up School Site Acquired by Eminent Domain
The New Jersey Schools Development Authority has obtained $6.5 million dollars from three former owners of a 14 acre property in Camden to pay for the cleanup of environmental contamination of the property, which is adjacent to a Camden Elementary School. The property is the site of the old Stockton Station apartment complex and will... Read More
Property Owner’s Appeal Dismissed for Failure to Follow Court Rules
The Appellate Division affirmed a New Jersey Tax Court judge’s decision to dismiss a property tax appeal for lack of prosecution after the property owner failed to offer any proofs to establish fair market value at trial. The property owner, a practicing attorney with 30 years of experience, argued that the taxes should be lowered... Read More
Appraisal Reports Must Be Produced
The Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court has released a published opinion in Tractenberg v. Twp. of West Orange, ___ N.J. Super. ___ (App. Div. 2010), which required the Township of West Orange to release an unredacted copy of an appraisal report prepared for the Township’s Council following an OPRA request by the... Read More
