I have been following your story regarding Hazlet Township’s condemnation of the property at 1736 Union Ave. Let me see if I understand the facts. A family buys land in the township a million years ago (or at least before there was even a Hazlet). To the left of them, people build homes; to the right of them, people build homes; across the street, people build homes; and behind them, Hazlet builds a park.
Now in the year 2002, because Hazlet wants the property for open space or a municipal project or open space or a municipal project (they can’t even decide that!), it is an unbuildable wasteland unsuitable for four homes. Yet, Hazlet can build a 21,000-square-foot municipal project — with parking. Please! Sounds to me like another example of a municipality abusing eminent domain.
If the township really believes this property is worth less than $70,000 per acre, I challenge Hazlet to list any other property in Monmouth County available for that price. I’d gladly buy it. "Oh, but it’s wetlands," say politicians. Not quite. The state provides for compensation if your property is devalued due to wetlands. (That’s not even considering that Hazlet installed the drainage pipes, which most likely created the wetlands.)
Hazlet better hope the family doesn’t hire a smart lawyer. They can’t afford it.
James Johnston
Matawan