BY CHRISTINE VARNO
Staff Writer
LONG BRANCH – The state’s public advocate made an unannounced visit to the city recently to get a firsthand look at the redevelopment zone where properties are slated to be taken by eminent domain.
“The purpose of the visit was to gather information from residents living with eminent domain, to gain a better perspective,” said Ronald Chen in an interview last week, after visiting the Beachfront North Phase II redevelopment zone days earlier.
“This is part of an investigation for an ongoing comprehensive study into eminent domain,” Chen said.
Prior to Chen’s visit, officials from his office, including the deputy outreach director and the assistant to the public advocate, interviewed several residents in the neighborhood, which has come to be known as MTOTSA for Marine and Ocean Terraces and Seaview Avenue.
MTOTSA is a three-street neighborhood consisting of approximately 36 properties slated to be razed and replaced with upscale condominiums by a private developer.
Chen was appointed in January by Gov. Jon S. Corzine, who has charged Chen with “the protection of New Jersey consumers and holding government accountable to its citizens,” according to a press release from Corzine’s office.
“Additionally, the public advocate has the authority to sue state agencies to make sure they are following the law,” the release stated.
In an interview last month, Chen named eminent domain as one of the areas he planned to explore as part of his role as public advocate, adding that it “is the subject of public concern right now.”
Last week, Chen said Long Branch is one of several municipalities that he and staff from his office have visited in order to develop a cohesive report on the use of eminent domain. He added that plans are to visit more areas where eminent domain is being used as a tool in redevelopment projects.
In addition to interviewing citizens faced with losing their properties through eminent domain, Chen said he plans to research the topic by studying the eminent domain law as well as the history of the uses of eminent domain and to consult with experts.
Since the process is ongoing, Chen declined to discuss the interviews or his observations until the study is complete.
Once the investigation is complete, Chen said he will “make recommendations about eminent domain that will be given to the governor and the Legislature.”
Chen said at this point there is no time line for the release of the study, but added, “We are working as hard as we can.”