Gibbons Law Alert

Gibbons Law Alert

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Proposed Legislation Will Require Shopping Center Developments in NJ to Provide Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles

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Posted in Development/Redevelopment / Environmental and Green Issues / Transactional Real Estate and Leasing

On March 30, 2011

One of the problems with electric cars (EVs) is – what do you do when the battery runs down? Currently there are 500 charging stations in the United States and 400 of them are in California. In an attempt to address the dead battery problem and encourage purchase of EVs, on March 21, 2011, the New Jersey State Senate introduced Bill S2784 (the “Bill”) which requires owners of shopping center developments to include charging stations. Under the Bill, owners of a “shopping center development” must equip not less than five (5%) percent of the parking spaces for the shopping center development with electric vehicle charging stations. Moreover, such stations must be available for use during the hours of operation of the shopping center development.

Southern District of New York Mandates Early Mediation in Employment Discrimination Cases

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Posted in Alternative Dispute Resolution

On March 18, 2011

The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (“SDNY”) recently issued a Notice to the Bar advising that effective January 3, 2011, all employment discrimination cases, except cases filed under the Fair Labor Standards Act, will be automatically referred for early mediation through the court’s Alternative Dispute Resolution program.

New Jersey Time of Decision Rule – The End Nears

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Posted in Development/Redevelopment

On March 3, 2011

New Jersey case law has consistently held that new or modified development ordinance provisions apply to pending land use applications, even if the proposed zoning was specifically introduced to thwart a pending application. This has historically been known as the “time of decision” rule. On May 5, 2011, the time of decision rule will run out of time.

Deadline to File Real Estate Tax Appeals in New Jersey is Rapidly Approaching

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Posted in Transactional Real Estate and Leasing

On February 28, 2011

The deadline to file real estate tax appeals in New Jersey to challenge the assessment of real property is April 1 (or 45 days from the bulk mailing of assessment notices, whichever is later). Given widespread declines in market values in recent years, there may be an opportunity for property owners — particularly owners of multifamily, commercial and industrial property — to reduce their assessments, and hence their property taxes, by filing a tax appeal.

Gibbons Real Property & Environmental Law Alert Nominated for LexisNexis Top 50 Environmental Law & Climate Change Blogs for 2011

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Posted in Development/Redevelopment / Environmental and Green Issues / Transactional Real Estate and Leasing

On February 25, 2011

For the first time, the LexisNexis Environmental Law & Climate Change Community is honoring a select group of blogs that they believe set the online standard for the practice area. This Real Property & Environmental Law Alert is among the nominees. According to LexisNexis, they selected the nominees based on timely topics, quality writing, frequent posts and that certain something ‘extra’ that keeps a web audience coming back for more. They described our blog as follows: “A rotating group of contributors writes about transactional real estate, development and redevelopment, and environmental law. Although there is some focus on developments in New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia and Delaware, the content is also national in scope.”

Court Better Defines “Completion” Under New Jersey’s Five-Year Exemption and Abatement Law

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Posted in Development/Redevelopment / Tax Abatement

On February 1, 2011

Crucial to New Jersey’s Five-Year Exemption and Abatement Law is the time within which an application for the tax exemption or abatement must be filed with the municipal tax assessor. A recent Tax Court of New Jersey decision provides the first published opinion interpreting a crucial provision of the statute used to calculate such period of time. Under N.J.S.A. 40A:21-16, written application for a tax exemption or abatement must be made to the municipal tax assessor within 30 days (including Saturdays and Sundays) following the completion of an improvement, conversion alteration, or construction on the property for which tax abatement or exemption is sought. The statute defines “completion” of a project as the date on which same is “substantially ready for the intended use”.

A New Jersey Statute That May Go a Long Way On Your Next Solar or Wind Project!

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Posted in Development/Redevelopment / Environmental and Green Issues

On January 19, 2011

Experienced New Jersey developers and land use attorneys understand the challenges that face an applicant when the proposed use is not expressly permitted in the municipality’s zoning district wherethe subject property is located. The challenge is only more complicated if the proposed use involves novel or unfamiliar technology such as renewable energy. However, in New Jersey, the government has been proactive in welcoming renewable energy projects through grants and legislation, making New Jersey definitely the place to be if you want to develop property geared towards the creation of a renewable energy facility powered by solar or wind.

How to Avoid “Sun-block” – New Jersey’s Solar Easements Act

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Posted in Development/Redevelopment / Environmental and Green Issues

On January 18, 2011

As more and more business owners and homeowners in New Jersey take advantage of the incentives available to build and maintain solar energy systems and solar panels, it’s important that such investments be protected from unwanted disputes with neighbors. A little known New Jersey statute may be able to help. Recent statistics on New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program website indicate that New Jersey is the fastest growing market for solar power in the United States, and has the largest number of solar panel installations, second only to California, where neighborly disputes over trees blocking solar panels, solar panels impairing views, causing glare and other general nuisance claims are becoming more and more common.

New Jersey Bulk Sales Act — Division of Taxation Posts Expanded Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

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Posted in Transactional Real Estate and Leasing

On January 6, 2011

Recently, this past December, the New Jersey Division of Taxation posted expanded Frequently Asked Questions and responses regarding the Bulk Sales Act, NJSA 54:50-38. Given the breadth of the Act, which was expanded a couple of years ago to cover transactions in which any seller makes a bulk sale, not just sellers who collect and remit sales tax, a review of these new FAQs is advisable.

What You Need to Know About Variances and Existing Non-Conformities for Your Next Development Application in NJ

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Posted in Development/Redevelopment

On December 28, 2010

Earlier this month, the New Jersey Appellate Division decided and approved for publication Cortesini v. Hamilton Township Planning Board, a case that addressed the issue of whether a developer must apply for a variance in connection with a pre-existing non-conforming condition created by a prior/non-appealable development approval. The Court’s answer was a resounding “no” based on the facts presented.

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