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Church Loses Interest Awarded on Condemnation Judgment
I remember long ago, my first case against NJDOT where a judgment awarding constitutional just compensation triggered a duty to pay interest on the award. I also remember reading “Title 27” (NJDOT statute) and finding the 6% “solution” to my interest problem. I mentioned the great news to one of the founders of my firm... Read More
Property Owners Standing Strong Against Pipeline Companies
Just as President Trump moves to block Russia’s expansion of its natural gas pipeline infrastructure, local property owners continue to stand their ground against pipeline companies. PennEast Pipeline & the Supreme Court Several owners in Mercery County opposed the PennEast Pipeline project. NextCity just published an article detailing an owner’s years-long battle against PennEast. Back... Read More
Suit Alleges Los Angeles’ Anti-Eviction and Rent Freeze Laws a Taking
The “Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles” has sued the City of Los Angeles in United States District Court for the Central District of California. A copy of the filed complaint is available here. According to the Complaint, in the wake of the “Wuhan Coronavirus”, the City “hastily” adopted a series of measures that prevent... Read More
NJ Supremes’ Reversal of Jury Verdict Reminds Trial Courts of Gatekeeping Function
Not surprised. As a follow-up report on our blog here, which recounted an Appellate Division opinion affirming a jury verdict of $4.2 million in favor of property owner Anthony Gentile where he did not present appraisal/valuation testimony at trial after his property in central New Jersey was taken by Manalapan Township. Guess the verdict was... Read More
New Supreme Court Ruling on COVID-19 Case – Police Power Trumps Freedom of Religion
On Friday the U.S. Supreme Court issued a terse Order and decision denying a California church’s request for relief from the Governor’s 25% occupancy restriction on church attendance. The Court split 5-4. The Chief Justice issued the majority opinion and Justice Kavanaugh issued the dissenting opinion. The majority’s rationale – federal courts should defer to... Read More
More Novel Takings Cases Arising from Novel Coronavirus
As States allow businesses to slowly re-open, some business owners intend to assert “takings” claims for the lost business caused by the State Order closures. A barber in Sarasota Florida has retained counsel to file suit against the State. According to the plaintiff’s lawyer, “The government took his property because they took the economic value... Read More
Hamptons’ Beach House Rental Market Frenzied, While Jersey Shore Owners Left Out in the Cold
The New York Times reports that there is a “feeding frenzy” for Hamptons seasonal beach house rentals. Contrast that with the chilling effect of Governor Murphy’s executive Order barring short-term rentals found in our recent “I Can’t Rent My Beach House! blog. Hard to predict if the restrictions on short-term rentals – to be decided... Read More
Charleston County (SC) Sues Town Over COVID-19 Check Points Barring Public Access to Beaches
Similar to the case between government entities that resulted in a “stay at home order” being struck down by the Wisconsin Supreme Court (blogged here), Charleston County recently sued the Town of Folly Beach, South Carolina because the Town was denying access to public beaches. The barrier island municipality had set up road blocks that... Read More
More COVID-19 Takings Claims – Professional Beauty Federation Sues California
I’m not keeping a running tally, but the list of suits challenging broad executive “shutdown” orders grows daily. Everyone who has gone without a haircut for the last 60+ days (including yours truly) are rooting for the licensed beauticians to succeed! The full text of the complaint is found here. The gist of the takings’... Read More
Shipyard Associates Wins Big Against Hoboken
Hoboken zoning ordinances have recently taken center stage in a landmark legal battle that has significant implications for urban development in this vibrant New Jersey City. The case of Shipyard Associates v. Hoboken highlights the critical role that zoning regulations play in shaping the landscape of our urban areas and the delicate balance between development... Read More
