BLOG: Condemnation Law
$3.2 Million Settlement Obtained for Water Rights
The Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority agreed to pay $3,200,000 for a 35 acre tract of land in Roxbury, Wharton and Jefferson townships formerly owned by Farley Waterworks, LLC, which the MUA had condemned in 2003 for the specific purpose of using the property’s groundwater to supply drinking water to its customers. The MUA’s initial offer estimated... Read More
Mortgage Lender's Recovery of Interest on Condemned Parcel Limited by Appellate Court
On February 10, 2009, a New Jersey appellate court limited the rights of a mortgage lender to receive interest on property taken by eminent domian, upon which the lender held a mortgage at the time of the taking. The appeals panel ruled that the mortgage lender was only entitled to receive, in satisfaction of its mortgage,... Read More
Belmar Restricts Its Own Eminent Domain Power
The Belmar Borough Council voted 4-1 on February 25, 2009 to ban the use of eminent domain to take real property within a designated municipal “redevelopment area” and to convey it to a private developer, even though New Jersey law permits such condemnations to occur. Borough Councilman Matthew Doherty, who was in favor of the limitation, stated: “It’s... Read More
Governor Corzine Executes "Pay to Play" Ban On Redevelopers
Effective November, 15, 2008, New Jersey redevelopment entities are prohibited from entering into redeveloment agreements with any private redeveloper that has made a contribution to a candidate, committee or election fund of any candidate for any State public office, including candidates for the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, party committee, legislative committee or legislative office... Read More
Eminent Domain Ban Ordinance Shelved by Monmouth County Town
An ordinance that would have banned most uses of eminent domain in Neptune Township was withdrawn at a January 26, 2009 meeting of the Town’s governing body, so that it could be revised and reintroduced with different provisions at a later date. The proponent of this ordinance, Township Committeeman Randy Bishop, pulled the proposed Ordinance... Read More
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
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
