Report: Chabad of the Shore Appeals Zoning Board Decision to Deny Synagogue

By Christopher Sheldon

The Long Branch Zoning Board of Adjustment's decision to deny Chabad of the Shore's plan to build a synagogue in West End has been appealed by the applicant, according to an article in the Atlanticville.

The article states that the legal action seeking to overturn the zoning board’s June 10 decision alleges the decision of the board “was based on bias and prejudice against Chabad, and a predetermination that it would not allow a religious use on the property.”

Long Branch Zoning Board of Adjustment Attorney Martin Arbus told the Atlanticville that the board is denying all allegations in the complaint and that he expects a court decision to come in the next 4-6 months. 

Chabad of the Shore was seeking a use variance to build a two-story building in place of the old West End movie theater and two businesses, containing 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 was also included in the plan.