Opinion ID: 1894562
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: IMO TKR Cable Company

Text: TKR Cable Company (TKR) is a cable television company authorized to operate in the Township of Piscataway. Society Hill at Piscataway is a large condominium development within the Township developed by K. Hovnanian at Piscataway, Inc. (Hovnanian). When completed the project will have over five hundred units in forty-five separate buildings. In 1985 Hovnanian and TKR entered into a joint trench agreement, which contemplated that TKR would provide cable television service for the project, installing its cable wires in trenches to be opened and used for the development's other utility services. Because of difficulties in obtaining materials and construction crews on short notice, TKR failed to install its equipment while the trenches were open. Nevertheless, TKR wired six buildings at Society Hill before it was ordered by Hovnanian in August 1985 to stop all cable installation. During 1985 Hovnanian began installing its own private cable television system, using an independent Satellite Master Antenna Television System (SMATV). Its system offers essentially the same programming as TKR. Early in 1986 TKR renewed its efforts to gain access to the development. Acting pursuant to N.J.A.C. 14:18-3.10, a regulation adopted by the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) governing access by cable companies, TKR notified Hovnanian of its intent to install cable television equipment at Society Hill and tendered the one dollar in compensation required by the regulation. See N.J.A.C 14:18-3.10(a). Hovnanian communicated to TKR its concerns about the proposed installation and suggested a meeting. In March 1986, TKR filed a petition with the BPU seeking access to Society Hill. See id. at § 3.10(c). TKR alleged that Hovnanian was delaying TKR's access so that it could complete its own SMATV system, thereby denying TKR its statutory marketplace and depriving Society Hill residents of the right to choose between competing systems. Hovnanian and Society Hill at Piscataway Condominium Association, Inc. (Society Hill Association) opposed TKR's petition, contending that the proposed cable installation would damage existing facilities, utility lines, and landscaping, and asserting that the one-dollar fee established by the BPU's regulation was inadequate. The BPU summarily granted TKR's petition, ordering Hovnanian and the Society Hill Association to permit TKR to complete its installation of cable television service, and requiring TKR to post a $25,000 performance bond to cover any unrepaired damage to the property. The BPU also permitted Hovnanian and the Society Hill Association to pursue claims under N.J.A.C. 14:18-3.10(d) to -3.10(f) for additional compensation through the Office of Administrative Law. After the Society Hill Association unsuccessfully attempted to stay the BPU's order, Hovnanian and the Association filed separate appeals from the access order, which were consolidated by the Appellate Division. [2] In an unreported opinion the Appellate Division affirmed the BPU's order, concluding specifically that the notice and hearing afforded petitioners by the BPU were adequate, and rejecting the remaining arguments on the basis of its opinion in NYT Cable TV v. Homestead at Mansfield, supra, 214 N.J. Super. 148. We granted certification. 107 N.J. 154 (1987).