Town group asks Millburn officials not to make major

zoning exceptions for the property located at the corner of

Jefferson Avenue and Old Short Hills Road.

MILLBURN, N.J.  March 8, 2010 - The local residents group named The Concerned Neighborhood Association of Millburn Township (also called SaveMillburn.com) is asking all interested residents to attend the Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting now scheduled for Monday, April 12, 7-9pm, at the Hartshorn Elementary School.

The Chai Center for Living Judaism will attempt to get a substantial variance allowing them to tear down two homes and replace them with a massive new building at this already heavily trafficked residential area. Their proposed 16,350 square foot house of worship is more than an acre shy of the legal or required size.

Save Millburn is imploring officials on the Millburn Zoning Board of Adjustment to not make substantial zoning exceptions since the municipality  has a full town wide approved Zoning Ordinance. If the Ordinance needs major changes, it should be updated and amended but on a town wide basis. Otherwise, our group doesn't accept special zoning for special interests anywhere in Millburn. Allowing substantial variances can hurt a great town's plan.

If not at this meeting, then at subsequent Zoning meetings, the Chai Center will bring a team of lawyers, engineers, architects, planners and traffic experts in asking for a substantial variance to the approved Zoning Ordinance

Should this date be moved again for any reason please watch the website www.SaveMillburn.com for headlines to that effect.

Background Facts

•Millburn zoning allows a house of worship to be built in a residential area but requires it to be on a minimum 3 acres.

•The Chai Center group has only 1.815 acres of the required 3 acres even after combining their properties at number

1 and 7 Jefferson Avenue (corner lot facing Old Short Hills Road).

•The Chai Center is asking that the height of the structure be allowed to go above town approved height of 32 feet.

•The Chai Center proposes many of the 48 car parking spaces be allowed to be closer to neighbors properties than the required 50-foot buffer.

•The Chai Center proposes that entrances/exits be added on Old Short Hills Road which is already heavy with traffic and is the main thoroughfare for ambulances to and from St. Barnabas Hospital.

•The Chai Center proposes large signage or identification on Old Short Hills Road.

•The Chai Center wants to have a screened dumpster enclosure, an underground storage facility for storm water, fences, walkways and extensive landscaping.

•The Chai Center is currently conducting services and holding classes with many cars parking on the front yard, back yard and on neighboring streets.

SAVE MILLBURN is the name for the local, registered, non-profit group,

The Concerned Neighborhood Association of Millburn Township, Inc. 2010

www.SaveMillburn.com or write:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it