Aberdeen redevelopment might use eminent domain

Negotiations over the sale of the final piece of land needed for a long-gestating redevelopment project near the Aberdeen-Matawan train station have hit a standstill, prompting the town to step in and assert its right to seize the property in question.

Aberdeen Township Council approved an ordinance at last week's meeting authorizing the use of eminent domain to take a 100-foot by 139-foot vacant lot at 12 Harrison Ave.

"We think it's for the greater good," said township manager Holly Reycraft on Tuesday. "The whole development will create jobs and more housing. We need the development there. It'll create more of 'Main Street' feel that Aberdeen needs."

TELL US IN THE COMMENTS: Should Aberdeen be able to force the sale of private property so it can be used in a new development of apartments and retail shops near the train station?

Eminent domain is a power afforded primarily to governments that allows them to force the sale of private property that is deemed to be necessary for a public use. If Aberdeen chooses to follow through and apply eminent domain in this instance, Reycraft says, the township will take control of the land while a parallel process begins in the court system to determine a fair sale price.

The owner of the property is identified as Ciaglia Custom Builders, described as a "father-and-son business" on its website. When contacted by the Asbury Park Press, Joe Ciaglia declined to comment. The most recent tax assessment placed the value of the land at $65,900 and a copy of the deed says the Ciaglias purchased the land in 2002 for $26,000.

Reycraft said the township's developer on the project, Highview Homes, asked the council to pass legislation authorizing use of eminent domain because negotiations with the Ciaglias were at an impasse.

"We don't like going this route," Reycraft said. "The only reason (the council) went ahead is that it's not putting anybody out of a home."

The redevelopment of the train station is a regular item on township council meeting agendas, but it's almost always relegated to executive session, which allows for a secret council discussion under certain circumstances, such as buying land with public money. The redevelopment idea dates back to at least 2000 and was at one time a cooperative effort between Aberdeen and Matawan.

In December, the township passed legislation authorizing the sale of property just east of the Ciaglias' land to Highview Homes, of Red Bank, which is planning to build 236 luxury rental units, mostly on Harrison Avenue, and 8,000 square feet of retail space along Atlantic Avenue. A posting on the company's website said construction was supposed to begin this winter.

Reycraft said Highview, which did not return a message seeking comment, now expects to break ground in the spring and that the project will proceed in two phases with the Atlantic Avenue construction going first.

Russ Zimmer: 732-557-5748, razimmer@app.com