BLOG: Condemnation Law

Electricity Shocks Property Owners, But Not The Court

by: Joseph Grather
26 Oct 2015
Shock Treatment Insufficient to Constitute Inverse Condemnation Yesterday, a New Jersey appellate court affirmed a jury verdict awarding $195,000 in “nuisance” damages to a Brick Township couple, but refused to reverse the trial court’s finding that an electric utility company’s stray “neutral to earth” voltage running rampant through their backyard was insufficient to amount to taking. Smith v. Jersey Central... Read More

Redevelopment Beginning at Former NL Industries Site

by: Joseph Grather
26 Oct 2015
The 427 acre industrial site in Sayreville formerly owned by chemical manufacturer NL Industries – seen by millions every summer as they cross the Driscoll Bridge on their way down the shore – is finally being “redeveloped.”  As pointed out in this article, dredged spoils are being imported to fill the site as part of... Read More

Watch Out, Olympia!

by: Joseph Grather
26 Oct 2015
From news across the nation, comes this article from Olympia, Washington.  “Call it Blighted and Get it Help.”  Help is clearly in the eyes of the beholder. The “blight” designation may ultimately help “redevelop” Olympia’s downtown, but take it from this New Jersey attorney, it’s not good for property owners in the downtown area.  The blight... Read More

Expert’s “Gut Feeling” on Costs Survives Dismissal Claim

by: Anthony F. Della Pelle
1 Dec 2020
An expert witness’s “gut feeling” about the cost of a plaintiff’s construction claim was sufficient to withstand a motion to dismiss according to a recent New Jersey Appellate Division opinion.  The holding in Nevins v. Toll Brothers, Inc., has the potential to affect similar motions in real estate valuation litigation such as eminent domain and real estate... Read More

South Carolina: Attorneys' Fees Can't Be "Taken"

by: Anthony F. Della Pelle
26 Oct 2015
Court Holds Appointed Attorneys’ Time is Compensable Property  As our colleague from Hawaii, Robert Thomas, recently posted in his excellent blog, inversecondemnation.com, the South Carolina Supreme Court has ruled that an attorney’s services constitute a property right which entitles the attorney to just compensation under the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment.  An appointed attorney sought removal as appointed counsel... Read More

California Town Tries the Back Door

by: Anthony F. Della Pelle
26 Oct 2015
Organizations Claim National City, CA Now Attacking Businesses through Rezoning Rather than Eminent Domain Following a successful challenge by the Community Youth Athletic Center – a club where teenagers train in boxing and receive tutoring for school classes – to a blight designation, National City, California, has decided instead to rezone the redevelopment area.  However,... Read More

Harrison Redevelopment: With Slow Going, Fiscal Health Is Questioned

by: Anthony F. Della Pelle
26 Oct 2015
A recent story by Romy Varghese of Bloomberg News questions the economics of the Harrison redevelopment project, which includes the Red Bulls soccer stadium, a new commuter parking deck adjacent to the Harrison PATH station, and one multi-family residential construction project which is now underway.  The article, available here, reports that the Town of Harrison... Read More

Mt. Holly Gardens Project on Hannity Show

by: Anthony F. Della Pelle
26 Oct 2015
Talk Show Host Highlights Property Owners’ Redevelopment Plight  Talk show host Sean Hannity aired a segment titled “American Dream Becomes Eminent Domain Nightmare in New Jersey” on his nationally syndicated show.  The segment highlights how the threat of eminent domain has been used to acquire property in Mt. Holly, New Jersey, while leaving the remaining... Read More

Morristown's Speedwell Redevelopment Hot Topic In Debate

by: Joseph Grather
26 Oct 2015
The Daily Record recently reported on a Town Council candidates’ debate (read the article here) which included lively discussion on the future of the Speedwell Avenue Redevelopment Project.  Each candidate had his or her own take on the direction the redevelopment should follow.  Several of the candidates opined in favor of improvements to the Early/Spring/Speedwell... Read More

With summer upon us, let's go to the beach…if we can access it.

by: Anthony F. Della Pelle
26 Oct 2015
Local Beach Access Plan Draws Ire of Environmental Groups Environmental groups voiced concerns through postcards and press conferences over proposed rules they claim would restrict rather than enhance access to New Jersey’s beaches.  A proposed plan would permit local towns to establish access plans that would be reviewed by the State.  The Department of Environmental... Read More