Advocate Chen will Argue that Provision of Redevelopment Law is Unconstitutional

TRENTON, NJ – Public Advocate Ronald K. Chen will appear before the Appellate Division of the Superior Court on Monday, February 4 at 11 a.m. to argue that a key section of the state’s current redevelopment law is unconstitutional.

Earlier this year, Chen filed an amicus curiae brief in a case involving eminent domain appeals brought by three Harrison business owners who are arguing that they were not properly notified that the town planned to condemn their property.

Date:                          Monday, February 4

Time:                          11 a.m.

Location:                  Fifth floor, North Wing, 
                                   Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex, 
                                   25 Market St., Trenton

Chen will argue that state law does not give property owners any meaningful opportunity to challenge a town’s plans to take their property because they may not know whether their property is actually targeted for condemnation until years after deadlines under the statute have expired for them to take legal action.

“Under our current law New Jersey residents can lose their property without adequate notice that their property will be taken and without a hearing,” Chen said. “This case demonstrates why the current law fails to satisfy the due process requirements of the federal and state constitutions.”

For more information on the Public Advocate’s Eminent Domain activities visit the the link below:

Reforming Eminent Domain

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