BLOG: Condemnation Law
NJ Supreme Court Erodes Special Benefits, Like the Dunes
This morning, the New Jersey Supreme Court has issued its much-anticipated decision in the dune replenishment case, Borough of Harvey Cedars v. Karan, which was argued this May. A copy of the decision is available here. This opinion is hot off the press and we are reading it now, but the Court has reversed the... Read More
Appellate Court Gives Property Owner and State Second Chance
On June 25, 2013, the a New Jersey appellate court reversed a trial court decision in State v. Shalom Money Street and remanded for trial. The primary issue on appeal was whether the Superior Court had the authority to reinstate a condemnation commissioners’ award where both parties appealed the award for a jury trial de... Read More
Government Can’t Make Developers "Show Them the Money"
Big Win For Property Rights in US Supreme Court Yesterday, the United State Supreme Court issued a decision which has caused property rights advocates and developers to rejoice, and is likely to become a historic property rights precedent for years to come. The 5-4 decision in Koontz v. St. Johns River Water Mgmt District, No. 11-1447 (copy... Read More
Eminent Domain Reform Bill Passed by NJ Senate
Yesterday, the New Jersey State Senate approved a bill which codifies restrictions of local governments’ use of eminent domain for private redevelopment and creates an alternative to condemnation for future redevelopment projects. The legislation, S-2447, passed on a vote of 36-1, affirms the protections afforded to property owners in redevelopment areas by New Jersey’s courts... Read More
SCOTUS Takes Mt Holly Gardens Case!
Yesterday, the United States Supreme Court granted certiorari in Mt Holly Gardens v. Mt Holly Gardens Citizens. The case background is set forth in our prior blogs, but, the property owners (through counsel South Jersey Legal Services) argue that the redevelopment of the Mount Holly Gardens violates the Constitution because the government relocation of residents... Read More
Congressional Committee Adopts Private Property Protection Act Bill
The U.S. House judiciary subcommittee on Constitution and Civil Justice recently passed a bill (H.R. 1944) that is designed to protect private property from eminent domain takings by creating a federal bar to transfers from government to private entities for economic redevelopment. The press release is available here. The bill is entitled the Private Property... Read More
Missouri Supreme Court Enforces Post-Kelo Legislation Limiting Takings for Economic Development
As reported by WatchDog.org, the Missouri Supreme Court recently rejected the Southeast Missouri Port Authority’s attempt to use eminent domain to take private property for use in connection with interstate transmission of North Dakota crude oil. (A copy of the opinion is here). The government intended to take undeveloped Mississippi River water-front property from Velma... Read More
NJ Senate Committee Advances Eminent Domain/Redevelopment Bill
Yesterday the Budget Committee of the New Jersey State Senate favorably reviewed and recommended approval of legislation that would codify important restrictions on the use of eminent domain in local redevelopment projects, and also would provide municipalities with the opportunity to undertake redevelopment projects without using eminent domain. The bill, S-2447, mirrors companion legislation (A-3615)... Read More
NJ Assembly Unanimously Approves Bill Allowing Redevelopment Without Eminent Domain
Yesterday, the New Jersey State Assembly unanimously approved legislation that codifies important redevelopment case-law, and provides municipalities with an option to undertake local redevelopment projects without using eminent domain. The bill, A-3615, sponsored by Assemblymen Coutinho, Bucco and Munoz, has a Senate companion, S-2447, and shares some of the provisions which had been included in earlier legislative... Read More
NJ Supreme Court Hears Arguments On Dune Case
On May 13, 2013, the Supreme Court heard argument in the case of Borough of Harvey Cedars v. Karan. That case is on appeal from an Appellate Division decision, which affirmed a jury verdict awarding the property owners $375,000 as constitutional just compensation for the partial taking of their private beach-front property. The municipality appealed... Read More
