Business & Tech

West End Synagogue Application Still Not Complete

Application will be concluded in May, board chair says.

Chabad of the Shore's application to build a synagogue in West End was scheduled to conclude on Monday night, but the Long Branch Zoning Board of Adjustment decided to finish the hearing at a future meeting.

The final testimony was given on Monday night and the public started commenting, but the board usually does not let its meetings go later than 10 p.m., so the meeting was adjourned shortly after.

"We will not conclude this tonight," Long Branch Zoning Board Chairwoman Terry Janeczek said.

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Janeczek said the earliest the application can be heard by the board is Monday, May 13, at 7 p.m., where it will be the lone agenda item.

The public comments will continue and Chabad of the Shore's land-use attorney Robert Tripp and West End Business Owners Association attorney Thomas Hirsch will give their final arguments at that time. The board will then ask any final questions and will vote on the application.

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Chabad wishes to build a two-story building that contains a 200-seat sanctuary, a 200-person capacity multipurpose room with a kitchen on the second floor, and five classrooms, office space and a room for religious services on the second floor. A large, 51-space parking lot in the rear of the property also is included in the plan.

The plan would include the demolition of an old movie theater on Ocean Avenue and two stores south of the structure; Mike's West End Deli, which is now vacant, and Lou's Uniforms. There are also two vacant apartments above the stores.

A synagogue is not a permitted use in the commercial zone, so Chabad of the Shore is looking to obtain a use variance to utilize the site and also obtain some minor bulk variances for parking and setbacks.

Mix Lounge owner Michael Bienz testified on Monday night and said his main concern with the plan is that it breaks up the continuity between Brighton Avenue and Ocean Avenue.

"The breakup of the community and the commercial space is a major concern," Bienz said.

Martin Grubman, who owned several of the stores and apartments in West End that were destroyed by a fire in February, 2012, also testified on Monday night.

"A building that size creates a natural divide," Grubman said. "It cuts off southern Ocean Avenue from Brighton Avenue."

Both agreed that synagogue was not a good use for the West End Community, which is comprised mostly of small businesses.

Gordon Gemma, a planner from Oceanport, said he is interested in buying some of the property that was destroyed by the February, 2012 fire in West End. He said the fact that parking is a concern in the area, but that if Chabad of the Shore is willing to share the lot, that it could be beneficial for other businesses.

"If they are true to their word, then this becomes a compatible land use," Gemma said. "That makes sense for me."

Windmill owner Stephen Levine said he would welcome the synagogue to the area.

"It will bring people to the area," Levine said. "Not all the congregants are kosher, so they will eat in the restaurants."

Jeff Acker, a Long Branch resident and former West End business owner said he moved his business from the area because of its declining economy and said the Chabad of the Shore would be an improvement.

"I embrace anyone willing to change the aesthetics of the area," Acker said. "I want to see West End benefit in any possible manner."


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