§ 17:19-4 — Acquiring property; condemnation

When the application has been approved by the governing body, the applicant may thereupon undertake and proceed to acquire the real estate required for the completion of the project set forth in the application. If the applicant is unable to acquire any property included within and necessary to the completion of the project by agreement with the owner thereof, the applicant may petition the governing body which has approved the application to acquire the property by the exercise of the power of eminent domain. If the governing body determines by resolution that the acquisition of the property described in the petition for the completion of the project in question is in the public interest and necessary for the public use, the governing body shall thereupon proceed to acquire the same by condemnation. A copy of the resolution, duly certified by the clerk of the city, under its seal, shall be conclusive evidence as to the matter therein contained in any proceeding on the part of the governing body to acquire the property or any part thereof therein described. Upon the adoption of the resolution by the governing body the applicant shall be required to enter into an undertaking with the governing body to pay such sums as may be ascertained according to law to be payable to the owner of the property, together with costs of the condemnation proceedings. Upon paying the owner of the property the sum so ascertained, with the costs, if any, the city shall be seized and possessed in fee simple of all the real estate. Amended by L.1953, c. 17, p. 237, s. 108.