Ciba-Geigy Corp. v. Township of Dover

SERPENTELLI, A.J.S.C.

Plaintiffs instituted actions in lieu of prerogative writs challenging an ordinance adopted by defendant rezoning plaintiffs’ properties from Industrial, Rural Highway and Rural Residential designations to a Preservation-Reclamation zone. The court finds the ordinance is not a valid exercise of the zoning power.

The Ciba-Geigy (hereinafter Ciba) property consists of approximately 1,275 acres upon which it and its predecessor have operated a chemical plant since the early 1950s. Apparently, the zoning has permitted that use since its inception. Each master plan adopted in…