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New Jersey Legislators Introduce New Eminent Domain Bill
After several years of debate, New Jersey legislators have introduced a new bill, co-sponsored by former proponents of previously failed legislation, which would revise the statutory requirements for eminent domain acquisitions in New Jersey. On June 15, 2009, two Democratic lawmakers introduced what they called a compromise bill, which they suggest is designed to allow redevelopment by... Read More
Another Unsuccessful Taxpayer Claim
A New Jersey appeals court rejected a commercial taxpayer’s claim that its local property tax bill was an unconstitutional fine, forfeiture or penalty because of a statutory sanction dismissing its appeal for failing to provide income and expense information to the local tax assessor. Davanne Realty v. Edison Township, Superior Court Docket No. A-0333-08T3, decided June... Read More
Cliffside Park Settles; Evades Ruling in Two-Town Dispute
The Cliffside Park Borough Council approved a settlement this week authorizing the purchase of commercial property located in Fairview, and privately owned by Pedigree Holdings, LLC, for $2.35 million. The settlement ended a protracted court case in which the limits of Cliffside Park’s eminent domain powers were tested because it had attempted to take the... Read More
Neptune Proposes Eminent Domain Ban
The Neptune Township Committee introduced an ordinance this week which would restrict the township’s use of its eminent domain powers in municipal redevelopment areas. The proposed ordinance would allow eminent domain to continue where the taking is required for “traditional” public use or public purposes, but would ban takings for redevelopment purposes where the properties... Read More
Property Owner's Challenge to Redevelopment Testing Dismissed as Moot
A New Jersey appellate court dismissed a property owner’s challenge to redevelopment activities in the Town of Kearny on the basis that the appeal was moot. Town of Kearny v. RLR Investments, Inc., Docket No. A-3174-07T2 (read the opinion here). The property owner, RLR Investments, owns and operates a commercial trucking terminal which is located in... Read More
Court Disapproves Averaging of Comparable Sales
A New Jersey appellate court recently held that a trial judge’s practice of averaging comparable sales in fixing the fair market value of real property is an improper valuation practice. In Pansini Custom Design Assocs. v. City of Ocean City, Docket No. A-2003-07T1, the plaintiffs owned a single family residence at the Jersey shore, which was... Read More
Taxpayer’s Appeal Denied, Found Insufficient to Constitute “Excessive Fine”
The challenge to a 2007 property tax assessment by a Bergen County property owner was denied by a New Jersey appeals court on the basis that the owner failed to provide income and expense information to the municipal tax assessor as is required under New Jersey law. 1717 Realty Associates v. Borough of Fair Lawn,... Read More
Morris County Jury Awards $1.2 Million for Taking of Auto Body Shop
A Morris County jury awarded $1.2 million last week to the owners of an auto body shop on Route 46 in Dover for the taking of that property by the New Jersey Department of Transportation by eminent domain. The civil jury rendered a unanimous verdict of $1.2 million to Peter and Maria Kavrazonis as just compensation... Read More
North Arlington Ordered to Return Monies to Redeveloper on Failed Project
The Borough of North Arlington was ordered by New Jersey Superior Court Judge Jonathan Harris to return $2.4 million to Cherokee Investment Partners, which was a private redeveloper previously designated to undertake a municipal redevelopment project on Porete Avenue in the Borough. The ruling resulted from a trial which lasted for 5 days in March of... Read More
Vineland Reduces Eminent Domain Threat
This week, the Vineland City Council approved a reduction of the potential use of eminent domain on a municipal redevelopment project involving properties at the intersection of East and Landis avenues. The project had originally included all four corners of the intersection, but the recent change of heart by the City will now exclude the corner where... Read More
