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  • Pennrose Llc Vs Apc Associates LlcMt. Laurel document preview
  • Pennrose Llc Vs Apc Associates LlcMt. Laurel document preview
  • Pennrose Llc Vs Apc Associates LlcMt. Laurel document preview
  • Pennrose Llc Vs Apc Associates LlcMt. Laurel document preview
  • Pennrose Llc Vs Apc Associates LlcMt. Laurel document preview
  • Pennrose Llc Vs Apc Associates LlcMt. Laurel document preview
  • Pennrose Llc Vs Apc Associates LlcMt. Laurel document preview
  • Pennrose Llc Vs Apc Associates LlcMt. Laurel document preview
						
                                

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BUR L 001147-18 05/30/2018 Pg 1 of 14 Trans ID: LCV20181037562 BUR-L-001604-15 0511612018 5:09:42 Pl\4 Pgl of 13 Trans lD: 1CV20188641'16 The Law Olfices of Mark G. Carusillo 2050 Fairfax Avenue - Suite B Cherry Hill, NJ 08003 (856) 267-s32s Attomey ID #010612001 Attomey for Third-Party Defendants, Jeftey D. Herb and Christine E. Herb IN THE MAT"TER OF THE SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY APPLICATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF LAW DTVISION MOORESTOWN, COTINTY OF BURLINGTON BURLINGTON COLI}JTY DOCKET NO.: L-l604-15 PENNROSE, LLC CTVIL ACTION Third-Party Plaintiff ANSWER AND AFFIRMATIVE DET'ENSES TO TEIRD-PARTY COMPLAINT APC ASSOCIATES, LLC, et als., Third-Party Defendants Third-Party Defendants, Jeffrey D. Herb and Christine E. Herb (collectively "Herb"), by and through their undersigned counsel and by way of Answer to Defendant-lntervenor, Third- Party Plaintiff, Pornrose, LLC's ("Pennrose"), Third-Parry Complaint say as follows: INTRODUCTION 1. Admitted that Penffose has filed a Third-Party Complaint. The rernaining allegations in this paragraph are legal conclusions and as such no response is required. 2. Admitted that Pennrose's Third-Party Complaint does not seek money damages. The remaining allegations in this paragraph are legal conclusions and as such no response is required. BUR L 001147-18 05/30/2018 Pg 2 of 14 Trans ID: LCV20181037562 BUR-L-001604-15 05/16/2018 5:09:42 PM Pg2 of 13 Trans lD: 1CV20188641 16 TIIE PARTIES 3. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Pennrose to its strict proofs, 4. Herb is udthout knowledge or information sufficiant to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Peffrose to its strict proofs. 5. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Pemrose to its strict proofs. 6. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Pennrose to its strict proofs. 7. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond !o the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Pennrose to its strict proofs. 8. He$ is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Pemrose to its strictproofs. 9. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Pemrose to its strict proofs. 10. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Peflffose to its strict proofs. 11. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficienl to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Pennrose to its strict proofs. 12. Herb is without knowledge or information sufEcient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Penffose to its strictproofs. 13. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Pennrose to its strict proofs. 2 BUR L 001147-18 05/30/2018 Pg 3 of 14 Trans ID: LCV20181037562 BUR-L-001604-15 0511612018 5:09:42 PM Pg 3 of 13 Trans lD: 1CV2018864116 14. Herb is without knowledge or information sufEcient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Penffose to its strict proofs. 15. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Pennrose to its strict proofs. 16. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Pennrose to its shict proofs. 17. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Pennrose to its strict proofs. 18. Admitted. 19. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Peffrose to its strictproofs. 20. Herb is,without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Pennrose to its strict proofs. 21. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Penffose to its strict proofs. 22. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Pefi[ose to its strict proofs. 23. Herb is without knowledge or information sufEcient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Pennrose to its strict proofs. 24. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Perurose to its strict proofs. 25. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Pennrose to its sfict proofs. 3 BUR L 001147-18 05/30/2018 Pg 4 of 14 Trans ID: LCV20181037562 BUR-L-001604-15 05/16/2018 5:09:42 PIV Pg 4 of 13 Trans lD: 1CV2018864116 26. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Pemrose to its sEict proofs. 27. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Pennrose to its strictproofs. 28. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Pennrose to its strict proofs. 29. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Pemrose to its strict proofs. 30. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Pefffose to its strictproofs. 31. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to rcspond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Pennrose to its sbict proofs. 32. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Pennrose to its strict proofs. 33. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Pefifose to its strict proofs. 34. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Pefftrose to its strict proofs. 35. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Permrose to its strict proofs. 36. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Peffrose to its strictproofs. 4 BUR L 001147-18 05/30/2018 Pg 5 of 14 Trans ID: LCV20181037562 BUR-L-001604-15 05/16/20'18 5:09:42 PM Pg 5 of 13 Trans lD: 1CV2018864116 37 . Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Pemrose to its strictproofs. 38. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Pennrose to its strict proofs. 39. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Pennrose to its strict proofs. 40. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Pennrose to its strict proofs. 41. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Pennrose to its strict proofs. 42. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Pemrose to its strict proofs. 43. Herb is without knowledge or information sufEcient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Penrrose to its strictproofs. M. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Peuuose to its strict proofs. 45. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Permrose to its strict proofs. 46. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficieat to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Perurose to its strictproofs. 5 BUR L 001147-18 05/30/2018 Pg 6 of 14 Trans ID: LCV20181037562 BUR-L-001604-15 0511612018 5:09:42 PM Pg 6 of 13 Trans lD: 1CV2018864116 FACTUAL BACKGROT]ND A. Histon of the Prooertv the Restrictive Covenant 47. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Pennrose to its strict proofs. 48. The I939 Indenture is a writing which speaks for itself. 49. The 1 945 Indenture is a writing which speaks for itself. 50. The 1945 lndenture is a writing which speaks for itself. 51. T\e 1947 Indenture is a writing which speaks for itself. 52. Admitted that "all resbictions, conditions and easements of record" including the Restrictive Covenant continue to run with the land. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the remaining allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leave Peffrose to its strict proofs. B. Pennrose's Intent to Develon the Pronen for Affordable Eousine 53. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations i-nthis Paragraph and therefore leaves Penru'ose to its strict proofs. 54. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Pennrose to its strict proofs. 55. Denied that the Property is ideally suited for multi-family housing. The remaining allegations are neither admitted nor denied and Peturose is left to its strict proofs. 56. The Restrictive Covenant is a writing that speaks for itself. By way of further responseJ Herb denies the allegation that "it is clear that the Restrictive Covenant was designed to reskict the availability of affordable housing within the Township of Moorestown" and leave Perurose to its strict proofs. 6 BUR L 001147-18 05/30/2018 Pg 7 of 14 Trans ID: LCV20181037562 BUR-L-001604-15 05/16/2018 5:09:42 PNI Pg 7 of 13 Trans lD: LCV2018864116 57. The allegations in this paragraph are legal conclusions and as such no response is required. 58. Denied. 59. Herb is without knowledge or information sufEcient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Pennrose to its strictproofs. 60. Admitted. 61 . Denied. COTJNT ONE (In validation of Restrictive Covenant - Mount Laurel Doctrine and Public Policy) 62. Herb repeats, realleges and incorporates by reference their response to all preceding Paragraphs as though fully set forth herein. 63, Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations il this Paragraph and therefore leaves Pennrose to its strictproofs. 64. Neither admitted or denied. Penruose is left to its skictproofs. 65. Denied. 66. Denied. 67. Denied. WHEREFORE, Third-Paty Defendants, Jeftey D. Herb and Christine E. Herb demand Judgrnent in their favor, and against Defendant-Intervanor, Third-Party Plaintiff, Pennrose, LLC as follows: a. Upholdiog the Deed Restrictions, including the Restrictive Covenant, and preventing construction of the housing development proposed by Peor:rose; b. Dismissing Pennrose's Third-Party Complaint with prejudice; c. Granting Herb an award of attomey's fees and costs; and 7 BUR L 001147-18 05/30/2018 Pg 8 of 14 Trans ID: LCV20181037562 BUR-L-001604-15 0511612018 5:09:42 PM Pg 8 of '13 Trans lD: 1CV2018864116 d. Such other relief as the Court deems just and proper. COUNTTWO (Invalidation of Restrictive Covenant - Common Larm) 68. Herb repeats, realleges and incorporates by reference their response to all prec€ding Paragraphs as though fully set forth herein. 69. Herb is without knowledge or information sufEcient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Pennrose to its strict proofs. 70. Neither admitted or denied. Permrose is left to its strict proofs. '71. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragaph and therefore leaves Pennrose to its strict proofs. 72. Denied. 73. Denid. '74. Danied. 75. Denied. WEEREFORE, Third-Party Defendants, Jeffiey D. Herb and Christine E. Herb demand Judgnent in their favor, and against Defendant-lntervenor, Third-Party Plaintiff, Pe'nnrose, LLC as follows: a. Upholding the Deed Restrictions, including the Restrictive Covenant, and preventing construction ofthe housing development proposed by Pennrose; b, Dismissing Pennrose's Third-Party Complaint with prejudice; c. Granting Herb an award of attomey's fees and costs; and d. Such other relief as the Court deems just and proper. 8 BUR L 001147-18 05/30/2018 Pg 9 of 14 Trans ID: LCV20181037562 BUR-L-001604-1 5 0511612018 5:09:42 PM Pg I of 13 Trans lD: 1CV20188641 16 COT]NT THREE (Invalidation of Restrictive Covenant - Itrvalid Neighborhood Scheme) 76. Herb repeats, realleges and incorporates by reference their response to all preceding Paragraphs as though fully set forth herein. 1'1. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Pennrose to its strict proofs, 78. Neither admitted or denied. Pennrose is left to its strict proofs. 79. Denied. 80. Denied. WHEREFORE, Third-Party Defendants, Jeftey D. Herb and Christine E. Herb demand Judgrnent in their favor, and against Defendant-Intervenor, Third-Party Plaintiff, Pennrose, LLC as follows: a. Upholding the Deed Reskictions, including the Restrictive Covenant, and preventing construction ofthe housing development proposed by Pennrose; b. Dismissing Pennrose's Third-Party Complaint with prejudice; c. Granting H€rb an award of attomey's fees and costs; and d. Such other reliefas the Court deems just and proper. COUNT FOT]R (Declaratory Judgment) 81. Herb repeats, realleges and incorporates by reference their response to all preceding Paragraphs as though fully set forth herein. 82. Herb is without knowledge or infomration sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Penuose to its strict proofs. 83. Neither admitted or denied. Perurose is left to its strict proofs. 9 BUR L 001147-18 05/30/2018 Pg 10 of 14 Trans ID: LCV20181037562 BUR-L-001604-15 05/16/2018 5:09:42 PM Pg 10of 13 Trans lD: LCV20188641'16 84. Herb is without knowledge or information sufficient to respond to the allegations in this Paragraph and therefore leaves Perurose to its strictproofs. 85. The allegations in this paragraph are legal conclwions and as such no response is rcquired. WI{EREFORE, Third-Party Defendants, Jeffiey D. Herb and Christine E. Herb dernand Judgment in their favor, and against Defendan ntervenor, Third-Party Plaintifi Perurose, LLC as follows: a. Upholding the Deed Restrictions, including the Reshictive Covenant, and preventing construction of the housing development proposed by Pennrose; b. Dismissing Pennrose's Third-Party Complaint with prejudice; c. Granting Herb an award of attomey's fees and costs; and d. Such other relief as the Court deerns just and proper. AFFIRMATN'E DEFENSES l. The Third-Party Complaint fails to state a claim upon which relief maybe granted. 2. Pennrose's claims are barred by Estoppel. 3. It is possible to uphold the Restrictive Covenant and to also construct affordable housing. 4. The Restrictive Covenant at issue creates and promotes a neighborhood scherne and has not been abandoned. 5. Pennrose lacks standing to bring this lawsuit. 6. The Restrictive Covenant at issue is a valid, enforceable encumbrance against the property which Pennrose seeks to acquire. 7. Pennrose has failed to exhaust its administrative remodies. 10 BUR L 001147-18 05/30/2018 Pg 11 of 14 Trans ID: LCV20181037562 BUR-L-001604-15 05/16/20185:09:42 PIV Pg11of 13 Trans lD: 1CV2018864116 8. The Restrictive Covenant at issue does not prohibit affordable housing. 9. Othsr, unencumbered properties exist in Moorestown Township which are more appropriate for the development of multi-family dwellings. 10. Herb reserves the right to assert additional Affirmative Defenses learned by continuing investigation and on-going discovery. WIIEREFORE, Third-Party Defendants, Jeffiey D. Herb and Christine E. Herb dernand Judgnent in their favor, and against Defendant-Intervenor, Third-Party Plaintiff, Pennrose, LLC as follows: a. Upholding the Deed Restrictions, including the Restrictive Covenant, and preventing construction ofthe housing development proposed by Pennrose; b. Dismissing Pennrose's Third-Party Complaint with prejudice; c. Granting H€rb an award of attomey's fees and costs; and d. Such other relief as the Court deerns just and proper. Mark G. Carusillo, Esq. Dated: May 16,2018 Attomey for Third-Party Defendants, JefAey D. Herb and Christine E. Herb DESIGNATION OF TRIAL CO{INSEL PURSUANT TO R.4:5. 1(c) PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that Mark G. Canrsillo, Esq. is hereby desipated as tsial counsel for Defendants, Jeftey D. Herb and Christine E. H Mark G. Carusillo, Esq. Dated: May 16,2018 Attomey for Third-Party Defendants, Jeffrey D. Herb and Christine E. Herb 1l BUR L 001147-18 05/30/2018 Pg 12 of 14 Trans ID: LCV20181037562 BUR-L-001604-15 05/16/2018 5:09:42 Plvl Pg 12 ol 13 Trans lD: 1CV2018864116 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO R 1:3&(b) I hereby certifu that confidential personal identifiers have been redacted from documents now submitted to the court, and will be redacted from all documents submitted in the future in accordance with Rule l:35-7(b); (e) the foregoing stat€,ments made by me are true and correct to the best ofmy knowledge, infonnation and belief. Mark G. Carusillo, Esq. Dated: May 16,2018 Aftomey for Third-Party Defendants, Jeffiey D. Herb and Christine E. Herb CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO R 4:5-l I hereby certiry that the matter in controversy is not the subject of any other action pending in any Court, nor the subject of a pending arbitration proceeding. Also, no other action or arbitration proceeding is contemplated. Further, other than the parties set forth in this pleading, no other party shall be joined in the within action, and, in the event that there is a change in the facts stated herEin, each party has a continuing obligation to file and serve upon all other parties and the court an amended certification Mark G. Carusillo, Esq. Dated: May 16,2018 Attorney for Third-Party Defendants, Jeffiey D. Herb and Christine E. Herb 12 BUR L 001147-18 05/30/2018 Pg 13 of 14 Trans ID: LCV20181037562 BUR-L-001604-15 05/16/2018 5:09:42 PM Pg 13of 13 Trans lD: 1CV2018864'1 16 CERTIFICATION OF SERVICE I, Mark G. Carusillo, Esq., hereby certifu that on this l6th day of May, 2018, this Answer and Affirmative Defenses was filed via eCourts with the Burlington County Superior Court Clerk, 49 Rancocas Road, Mt. Holly, NJ 08060, and a copy was served via New Jersey Lawyer's Service to Third-Party Plaintiffs attomey, Kristoffer S. Burfitt, Esq., Sills Cummis & Gross, P.C., One Riverfront Plaza, Newark, NJ 07102. Mark G. Carusillo, Esq. l3 BUR L 001147-18 05/30/2018 Pg 14 of 14 Trans ID: LCV20181037562 BUR-L-001604-15 0511612018 5:09:44 PM Pg 1 of 'l Trans lD: 1CV20188641 16 Civil Case lnformation Statement Case Details: BURLINGTON lCivil Part Docket# L-001504-15 Caso Captlon: ll\4O APPLICATION OF MOORESTO\ N Case Type: LAUREL l\,1T. TO\^ASHIP OF Document Typo: Answer Case lnitlatlon Dato: 07/08/2015 Jury Oemand: NONE Attorney Name: MARK G CARUSILLO Hurricane Sandy relat6d? NO Firm Namo: i.4ARK G CARUSILLO ls this a protessional malpractice case? NO Address:2O5O FAIRFAX AVE STE B Rslated cases pendlng: NO CHERRY HILL NJ O8OO3 lf ygs, llst dockst numbers: Phone: Do you anticapate adding any partiEs (arising out ol same Name of PaTty: DEFENDANT : HERB, CHRISIINE, E transactionor occurrence)?NO Name of Ogfgndant's Pdmary lnsurance Company (if known): None THE INFoRMATION PROVIDED ON THIS FORM CANNOT BE INTRODUCED INTO EVIDENCE FOR PIJRPOSES OF OETERMINING IF CASE IS APPROPRIATE CASE CHARACTERISTICS FOR MEDIATION Do parties have a current, past, or recurrent relationship? NO lf yes,isthat relationship: Does the statute governing this case provide for payment of fees by the losing party? NO Use this space to alert the court to any special case characteristics that may warrant individual management or accelerated disposition: Do you or your client need any disability accommodations? NO lf yes, pleaseidentlfy the requested accommodation: Will an interpreter be needed? NO lf yes, for whatlanguage: that confidential personal identifiers have been I certify redacted from documents now submitted to the court, and will be redacted from all documents submitted in the future in accordance with Ru/e 1:38-7(b) 0511612018 /s/ MARK G CARUSILLO Dated Signed