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Developers behind Jersey City high-rise project win new court victory

A New Jersey appellate panel last week ruled against Jersey City's attempt to halt a high-rise proposed for a neighborhood just east of Journal Square.

The three judges rejected the city's claim that a 2012 settlement agreement between the city (under the previous administration) and the developers that paved the way for the proposed high-rise should not be honored because it wrongfully tied the hands of the current council.

Redevelopment area zones like the one at the focus of this lawsuit are by nature long-term deals, the judges note in their nine-page ruling.

"The plan at issue here specified it was to remain in effect for a period of 50 years," the ruling says. "It, therefore, would be illogical to conclude that an agreement entered into by a city council in 2012 would not extend beyond that council's term."

The decision affirms a lower court ruling from October 2015 that also sided with the developers, known as Robinhood Plaza.

The city declined to comment on the June 7 ruling. Michael Kates, attorney for the developers, said he expects the city to allow them to move forward with their plans.

"Willful noncompliance at this stage would be unacceptable," Kates said.

The dispute dates back to 2010, when Robinhood sued the city, saying a new redevelopment plan for Journal Square restricted the development potential for a site it purchased at the end of West Street.

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http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2...rt_river_index