No Decision By Zoning Board in Application To Build West End Synagogue

Chabad of the Shore, a non-profit Jewish organization, presented its application to demolish an and build a synagogue and other space in its place during Monday night's Long Branch Zoning Board meeting.

A decision was not reached in the case, but the public got its first chance to hear and see the proposed plan.

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

Rabbi Leibel Shapiro, of Chabad of the Shore, and the group's land-use attorney Robert Tripp, described many of the details of the project which would include the demolition of the theater on Ocean Avenue. The theater has been vacant for over 20 years and is located next to Lou's Uniforms.

Tripp said Chabad wishes to build a 2-story building that contains a 200-seat sanctuary, a 200-person capacity multipurpose room with a kitchen on the second floor; and a five classrooms, office space and a room for religious services on the second floor.

"We chose the area because the large developments that we serve in the area," Rabbi Shapiro said. "Those people can get there easily and we have already established ourself in that area."

Chabad of the Shore already owns a building a few doors down at 620 Ocean Ave., and Shapiro said religious services are performed there. He admitted when questioned by the board that holding religious services is not a permitted use at the current location.

"That's why we are here, we want to do it right," Rabbi Shapiro said.

Rabbi Shapiro said the other reason Chabad wishes to use the site of the old theater is because of the parking.

The entire blacktop area behind the theater and the neighboring buildings are considered part of the property and are part of the site plan. The blacktop area is currently used as a free parking area by residents who visit West End.

Rabbi Shapiro said almost half of the members of the Chabad of the Shore congregation, which currently sits at about 60, walk to their current location. He said that he expects about that same amount, but that the parking area would be necessary for religious services and the "high holidays" such as Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah where larger services would be held at the synagogue and the multipurpose room.

He said the building would be open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday as well Saturday mornings for religious services and Sunday morning for religious classes.

Several board members asked Rabbi Shapiro if the multipurpose room and the synagogue, which are separated by a movable wall, would be used in conjunction with one another. Rabbi Shapiro said they could but that they would not. Board Engineer Elizabeth Waterbury said the problem is that enough parking would need to be provided for both areas, and that the application only allows enough parking for the sanctuary with about 60 proposed spaces in the rear.

Board member Leslie Schneider said she was afraid the times when Chabad needs the parking spaces the most, are the peak shopping times for West End visitors.

Rabbi Shapiro said he wants to share the lot with the community and that it would be open to the public "when we don't need the parking."

Board President Terry Janeczek said she was concerned because there have been other applicants in the past who have promised to only use their buildings for certain purposes, but do not adhere to the rules.

"It's very hard for us to police any conditions," Janeczek said.

Rabbi Shapiro said he wishes to become a part of the community and the beautify the site.

"The building is an embarrassment...and we are looking to clean it up," Rabbi Shapiro said. "We believe in West End and we believe in the area."

Attorney Ron Gasiorowski is representing the West End Business Association which is comprised of West End residents and business owners.

The business owners objections to the application include a loss of parking for the area and the fact that the building is not a permitted use in the commercial zone.

Others are worried that if the application is approved, that it could affect what is done with the site where several businesses and homes . The site is currently a grass lot, and there have been no applications by any of the former building owners to rebuild at this time.

The Long Branch Zoning Board did not reach a decision as both parties have not presented all their testimony and the application was carried to a future meeting. The board's next meeting is scheduled for July 9 at 7 p.m.