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Eminent domain dispute divides neighboring towns
1/19/2009, 9:15 a.m. EST By DAVID PORTER The Associated Press “FAIRVIEW, N.J. (AP) — Bridget Tapkas is by no means the only New Jersey property owner to fight government efforts to acquire land under the state’s eminent domain laws. Her story has a twist, however: It’s a neighboring town that wants her property…” Read the... Read More
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions regarding real estate tax appeals in New Jersey. Published in the Asbury Park Press, January 14, 2009 “Q: What is the basis of a property’s assessment? A: The state Division of Taxation annually conducts a fiscal year sales survey, investigating most property transfers in your municipality, with the local assessor assisting. Every... Read More
Appeals Court Refuses to Lower Tax Assessment for Environmental Cleanup Costs
A New Jersey Appellate Court recently affirmed the Borough of Hawthorne’s real property tax assessment on a contaminated parcel of land which had been historically used for the manufacture of industrial and commercial coatings, including nail polish. Pan Chemical Corp. v. Hawthorne Borough, Docket No. A-4779-06T1. The Court found that the Borough’s tax assessment,... Read More
Tax appeal mania not fading away
Monday, January 12, 2009 Last updated: Monday January 12, 2009, 7:29 AM BY PAUL BRUBAKER Herald News “Thousands of tax appeals have been filed in Passaic County in recent years, and local officials say the trend is expected to continue as government expenses increase, the housing market is stifled by a lack of available... Read More
Hannity & Colmes Honored for Eminent Domain Coverage
On Tuesday, January 6, the Owners’ Counsel of America presented Sean Hannity & Alan Colmes, of Fox News “Hannity & Colmes,” with the Crystal Eagle award in recognition of their contributions towards the protection and promotion of private property rights. Hannity & Colmes recent coverage of stories involving eminent domain abuse, including its broadcasts regarding the story of Johnnie Stevens, a decorated... Read More
Owners’ Counsel of America to honor Hannity & Colmes
On Tuesday, January 6, the Owners’ Counsel of America will honor Sean Hannity & Alan Colmes, of Fox News “Hannity & Colmes,” by presenting the Crystal Eagle award in recognition of their contributions towards the protection and promotion of private property rights and exposing eminent domain abuse. Owners’ Counsel of America, http://ownerscounsel.com/, is a network of experienced... Read More
The Long Arm of Eminent Domain
The Long Arm of Eminent Domain Reaches into Neighboring Town By Henry Gottlieb New Jersey Law Journal http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202426927112&rss=newswire December 16, 2008 “Giving a novel twist to the debate on government takings, a town in Bergen County is trying to condemn property half a mile beyond its border in a municipality next door. Cliffside Park filed... Read More
Fairview joins eminent domain battle
Cliffside Park-Fairview eminent domain battle Monday, December 15, 2008 “WHAT’S NEW: Fairview formally joined a borough businesswoman in her lawsuit against Cliffside Park. Bridget Tapkas, co-owner of a Broad Avenue car dealership in Fairview, said that Fairview’s support will provide her with more leverage against Cliffside Park, which is trying to condemn property that she... Read More
NJ Supreme Court upholds Highlands Act
The New Jersey Supreme Court recently held that an inverse condemnation did not occur in a takings case involving the application of the New Jersey Highlands Act with respect to a development tract owned by OFP, LLC in Morris County. According to the Supreme Court, which upheld an earlier opinion by the Appellate Division of the New... Read More
Cliffside Park attempts land grab outside of borders
Condemnation push stuns owners Saturday, November 8, 2008 BY MICHAEL GARTLAND STAFF WRITER “Cliffside Park is trying to condemn a building it has been leasing from a local business owner for more than a year to store its trucks. But the land isn’t in Cliffside Park. It’s in Fairview. The property owners, Bridget Tapkas and... Read More
