The Alternative Press

MILLBURN, NJ - Millburn’s Zoning Board of Adjustment early this morning denied the application of the Chai Center of Millburn-Short Hills to build a 16,000-square-foot synagogue at the corner of Old Short Hills Road and Jefferson Avenue.

The board reached its decision during a 51/2-hour session that started Monday night and ended just before 1 a.m. The hearing drew about 200 supporters and opponents to the high school auditorium, where a steady stream of speakers came forward to make comments.

Many of them stayed until the end, when the board voted in dramatic fashion on whether to grant four variances they had deemed necessary for the building to go forward.

“Still we’re 100 people, which is testimony to the deep feelings you have about the issues,” Chairman Joseph Steinberg told the diehards.

First and foremost, the board had to decide whether to grant a variance for a lot that is smaller than the 3-acre size required by township ordinance for a house of worship. The proposed synagogue would have sat on a 1.8-acre property.

The board voted 6-1 to deny that variance. In comments beforehand, several board members expressed concerns that the lot is significantly smaller than three acres and the proposed synagogue would be “squeezed” onto the property. That situation would affect buffering from neighbors, the distance the building would be set back from the streets and the size and flow of the parking lot, they noted.

Another board member said he was concerned about the precedent approving such a variance would set. Architects are always pushing the envelope, he argued, and the exception would then become the rule. Applicants would then have free reign over the zoning board.  

Others cited concerns about the additional traffic such a facility in an already congested area. Yet another member said she had trouble getting a handle on the possible usage of a downstairs area of the proposed structure.

Following the vote on lot size, the board unanimously turned down the site plan proposed by the Chai Center.

The board also rendered decisions on other variances that might have been required had the variance for lot size been granted. Regarding a front yard setback from Old Short Hills Road, two board members said they would be willing to grant a variance because the structure did not meet the 80-foot requirement.

Regarding a front yard setback from Jefferson Avenue, all members said they would deny a variance from the 80-foot requirement.

The board also spent time discussing whether they would grant a parking variance for the proposed house of worship. Township ordinance requires one space for every three seats in a facility. In the end, the board unanimously decided they would deny the parking variance.

At the beginning of the meeting, board member Roger Manshel recused himself from the hearings. Board member Cheryl Burstein had previously recused herself.

During the two hours of public comment before the voting, about 45 people expressed their opinions on the application.

Several congregants of the Chai Center urged the board to allow the new synagogue.

Among those opposing the application were residents of Park Road and Park Circle, who cited concerns about increased traffic on Old Short Hills Road.