Gibbons Law Alert

Gibbons Law Alert

Tagged: New Jersey

Russell Bershad Named to the NJBIZ Real Estate Power List

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Posted in Transactional Real Estate and Leasing

On November 28, 2016

Russell B. Bershad, Co-Chair of the Gibbons Real Property & Environmental Department, has been named to the NJBIZ Real Estate Power 75, a list of the most powerful people in New Jersey real estate. Mr. Bershad appeared for the first time this year, ranking 55th on the list. NJBIZ notes, “Russ Bershad is a newcomer to the list. But, according to one fan, he’s been in the mix for quite some time. ‘He was involved in the Roche deal, he represents David Barry in Jersey City. He’s doing a lot of good things there.’ Said another: ‘You know every detail is going to be pored over when you hire Russ.’ Said another: ‘If you’re going to add more lawyers to the list, and that’s a good idea, Russ is one of the people you need to have.’”

N.J.’s Proposed Changes to Low Income Housing Tax Credit Qualified Allocation Plan Limit Projects per Developer and Encourage Development in Smart Growth Areas

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Posted in Development/Redevelopment / Economic Development

On November 14, 2016

The N.J. Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (“HMFA”) recently proposed changes to the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (“LIHTC”) Qualified Allocation Plan (“QAP”). State housing credit agencies, like HMFA, are required to create plans which outline the selection criteria for awarding tax credits for the development of low- and moderate-income housing. The proposed amendments update the QAP to reflect procedural changes to the way in which affordable housing is constructed, but also include some substantive changes to both the allocation of tax credits among developers and the scoring system for awarding tax credits.

Recent New Jersey Case Serves as Warning to Redevelopers of Contaminated Sites

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Posted in Development/Redevelopment / Environmental and Green Issues

On November 7, 2016

A recent New Jersey Appellate Division case concerning spoliation of evidence in the context of a contribution action under the New Jersey Spill Compensation and Control Act (“Spill Act”) counsels caution on the part of redevelopers of contaminated sites. The case makes clear that owners of contaminated sites must endeavor to preserve physical evidence related to the contamination as soon as litigation becomes “probable” if they hope to rely on that evidence in a future contribution action.

Following the Expiration of the Permit Extension Act, Keep in Mind the Impact of Statewide Non-Residential Development Fees

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Posted in Development/Redevelopment

On November 4, 2016

With an improving economy, developers who have weathered the storms of economic recession and have projects approved prior to July 17, 2008, the effective date of the Statewide Non-Residential Development Fee Act, N.J.S.A. 40:55D-8.1 et seq. (the “Act”), may finally be in a position to construct many of these projects. However, with changes in the market and demand for certain types of commercial space outpacing those approved in the 1990s and early 2000s, approvals that have been tolled since 2007 by the Permit Extension Act (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-136.1 et seq.) may need to be altered to accommodate new marketplace demands. In seeking amendments of those approvals, developers should be aware of, and consider the potential application of, the affordable housing development fee to those projects.

FEMA Amendments to Base Floor Elevation Requirements, When Minor, Do Not Necessarily Give Rise to Hardship Showing for Height Variance Says NJ App Div

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Posted in Development/Redevelopment

On November 1, 2016

In its recent decision in Richmond URF, LLC v. Zoning Board of Adjustment of the City of Jersey City, the Appellate Division held that a minor alteration in base floor elevation requirements in the wake of FEMA’s amendments to the regulations after SuperStorm Sandy does not necessarily give rise to showing a hardship in support of a height variance under N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70(d)(6).

Construction Underway on Jersey City Luxury Tower at 90 Columbus

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Posted in Development/Redevelopment

On September 15, 2016

Construction is underway on 90 Columbus, the final tower of Ironstate Development and Panepinto Properties Inc.’s multi-phase Columbus Drive development project in Jersey City, New Jersey. The project is designed to embrace modern urbanism and connect the city’s financial district and waterfront with the vibrant Grove Street historic area. The 50-story, 539-unit, luxury apartment tower at 90 Columbus is the fourth tower in the iconic development, following the already-completed residential buildings at 50 and 70 Columbus, the over 900-space parking garage, and the 152-room Marriott Residence Inn at 80 Columbus, which is currently under construction and expected to open this winter. Ground broke on 90 Columbus earlier in 2016, and completion is expected in October 2018.

New Jersey’s Time of Application Rule Does Not Bar a Favorable Zoning Amendment

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Posted in Development/Redevelopment

On August 2, 2016

In a published decision, the New Jersey Appellate Division ruled on July 27 that the “time of application” rule, which mandates that development applications are governed by the regulations in effect at the time of submission, and was intended to protect applicants from negative zone changes while their applications were pending, does not apply to zone changes which benefit a project.

N.J. Appellate Division Holds that Municipalities are not Obligated to Satisfy “Separate and Discrete” Gap Period Need for Affordable Housing

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Posted in Development/Redevelopment

On July 28, 2016

On July 11, 2016, in an interlocutory appeal, the Appellate Division reversed Judge Mark A. Troncone’s February 18, 2016 order, which had found, as a matter of law, that municipalities were obligated to provide realistic opportunities for the construction of affordable housing for the need that accumulated during the period from 1999-2016 (the “gap period”). In an opinion by Judge Fasciale, the Appellate Division held that municipalities were not required to discretely calculate or satisfy the housing obligations that accumulated during the gap period as part of a municipality’s “prospective need.” In the Appellate Division’s view, those who are living in dilapidated, overcrowded, or cost-burdened housing would be adequately reflected in present need calculations, and any further alterations to municipal obligations would require legislative or executive action. The opinion highlights what appears to be a distinction between the constitutional fair share housing obligation, which had been understood to accrue year after year according the Court’s decision in Mt. Laurel II, and the compliance obligations arising under the Fair Housing Act, which are limited only to satisfying the statutorily prescribed need.

Legislature Approves Retroactive One-Year Extension of New Jersey’s Permit Extension Act in Superstorm Sandy-Impacted Counties

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Posted in Development/Redevelopment

On July 14, 2016

New Jersey’s Permit Extension Act (“PEA”) sunsetted at the end of 2015 when the Legislature did not enact a further extension. It has now been resurrected and extended retroactively, for one additional year, in nine counties most impacted by Superstorm Sandy. New Jersey’s Permit Extension Act (“PEA”) was initially enacted in 2008 in response to “the crisis in the real estate finance sector of the economy.” The purpose of the PEA was to toll, through the end of 2012, expiration of various approvals necessary for development. The PEA was later amended in 2012, due to the then “current national recession,” to extend the tolling of the expiration of those approvals until December 31, 2014, and a subsequent amendment extended it until December 31, 2015.

Retail Liquor License Renewals Now Due

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Posted in Liquor Licensing

On June 27, 2016

All New Jersey retail liquor licenses for the 2015-2016 license term expire on June 30, 2016. All New Jersey retail liquor licensees should have received notification in April through the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control’s (ABC’s) web-based system, POSSE ABC, to renew their liquor licenses utilizing the ABC’s online portal. Subject to the specific renewal deadline fixed by each municipality, all state and municipal retail liquor license renewal fees for the 2016-2017 license term are currently due. Prior to renewal, all retail liquor licensees must also receive an Alcoholic Beverage Retail License Clearance Certificate for renewal from the Division of Taxation.

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