No. >> Township of Edison zoning board of adjustment regular meeting of August 26, 2025 is now in session. Adequate notice of this meeting as required by the open public meetings act of 1975 has been provided by the annual notice published in the home news and trabune on December
13th 2024 has been posted in the main lobby of municipal complex on December 18th 2024. Please join me in pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the stands one nation indivisibley
and justice for all. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Aya >> here. >> Miss Shaw >> here. >> Mr. Bignell >> here. >> Mr. Johnny >> here. >> Mr. Chabra >> here. >> Mr. Patel >> here. >> Mr. Schneider >> here. >> Mr. Sadha >> here.
>> Vice Chair Gorman >> here. >> And Chairman Kumba >> here. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Madam Secretary. Min for consideration. >> We have July 29th, 2025 for consideration. What's the board's pleasure? >> Make a motion to approve the meeting minutes.
>> Second. >> Motion made by Vice Chairman Gorman, second by Mr. Sedata. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Cerrito, I'm sorry, he's not here. Mr. Chabra, >> yes to the motion. >> Mr. Schneider, >> yes to the motion. >> Mr. Patel, >> yes to the MOSA. >> Mr. Sadha,
>> yes to the motion. >> Vice Chair Ka, >> no Gorman. I got voted. >> Vice Chair O Gorman, >> yes on the motion. and chairman Kumbo. >> Yes. On the motion. >> You've absolutely not been demoted. >> That's I'll go home for the night. It's fine. Madam Secretary, resolutions to be
adopted. >> First one is Z27204 1970 Edison LLC for an approval. >> What's the board's pleasure? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion made by Vice Chairman Gorman, second by Mr. Sedata. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Chabra, >> yes to the motion.
>> Mr. Sadha, >> yes to the motion. >> Vice Chair Gorman, >> yes on the motion. >> And Chairman Ka, >> yes on the motion. >> Thank you. Next resolution >> Z16 2025 Beves Shaw for an approval. >> What's the board's pleasure? >> Motion to approve. >> Second.
>> Motion made by Vice Chairman Gorman. Second by Mr. Sedata. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Chamba. Mr. Chambra. >> Yes to the motion. >> Mr. Schneider, >> yes to the motion. >> Mr. Sadha, >> yes to the motion. >> Vice Chair Gorman, >> yes on the motion. >> And Chairman Ka, >> yes on the motion.
>> Thank you. And the final resolution >> Z18 2025 Shayles Shaw for an approval. >> What's the board's pleasure? >> Motion to approve. >> Yes. Uh second >> motion made by Vice Chairman Gorman. Second by Mr. Sadata. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Chabra, >> yes to the motion.
>> Mr. Schneider, >> yes to the motion. >> Mr. Sadha. >> Yes to the motion. >> By Cheryl Gorman. >> Yes on the motion. >> And Chairman Ka, >> yes on the motion. >> Thank you. >> Madam Secretary, is there another resolution? >> There actually is. There's one more. There's a fourth one. C9 2025 Sambbasivo
Gangula for approval. >> What's the board's pleasure? >> Motion to approve. >> Second the motion. Motion made by Vice Chairman Gorman. Second by Mr. Schneider. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Chabra, >> yes to the motion. >> Mr. Schneider, >> yes to the motion. >> And Vice Chair Gorman,
>> yes on a motion. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Madam Secretary. >> You got it. >> Uh, so we have a few announcements for this evening. KZ23 2024 Sachin Patel at 167 Morris Avenue has been carried to October 21st 2025 with no renotice
required. If you are here for this case Z32 2024 Sachin Patel it will not be heard this evening. It will be heard on Tuesday October 21st with a meeting beginning at 7 p.m. here in council chambers. Case Z2 2020 Lamar advertising
a pen LLC at 81 and 101 US Highway 1 will not be heard this evening. It's being carried to October 21st, 2025 with new no renotice required. If you're here for this case, Z220 Lamar advertising a pen LLC. It will not be heard this evening. It will be heard on Tuesday,
October 21st with a meeting at 7 p.m. here in council chambers. KZ17 2025 Suresh and Daram Modi at 152 Lond Avenue uh is being carried to September 30th 2025. It is improperly noticed so
renotic is required. Gay Z20 2025 Anja Patel at 3 Bradford Road will not be heard this evening is being carried to October 21st 2025. It's improperly noticed and renotic is required. KZ22
2025 Naneshwat Sawant at 17 Church Hill Road uh will not be heard this evening. It will be carried to October 21st, 2025. It is improperly noticed, so renotice is required. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. This
is a regular meeting of the Township Edison zoning board of adjustment. The board is composed of Edison Township residents appointed by the municipal council who volunteer their time and service to the board. The municipal land use law requires that members successfully complete a land use training course administered by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.
This board also holds in-house training conducted by our board professionals. The zoning board abides by the provision of the misal land use law in addition to our board's bylaws. The zoning board is a quasi judicial land use board which differs from the township planning board. Under the mal land use law, board
members are required to be impartial and are not allowed to discuss any case prior to being considered at a hearing. All applicants will have the opportunity to present their case before the board along with the opportunity for board members and board professionals to question the applicant and their witnesses. At the conclusion of the applicant's presentation of the case,
the case will open to the public. Residents within 200 ft of subject property will be heard, followed by residents from outside of 200 ft. All residents will be sworn in. They'll provide their name and address, and they'll be given six minutes to comment on the application being considered without the opportunity for rebuttal.
Residents may ask questions of the applicant, the applicant's professionals, and board professionals. The board requests that these questions are asked prior to any commentary be made on the application. Once the commentary begins, the resident's timer will begin. The applicant will be allowed for the opportunity cross for
cross-examination of their witnesses. Under the law, the chair is allowed to stop any commentary which is repetitive or an attempt to filibuster the board. Further, the chair is allowed to stop any commentary that is irrelevant to the case or prohibited from the board's consideration. Once public portion is
closed, all public comments are ended unless new testimony is presented by the applicant. Following the closure of the public portion, the applicant will have the right of summation on their application. Following summation, the case will go to the board for a decision. This procedure has been followed by the board and is similar to the procedures followed by boards of
adjustments statewide. The mipal land use law requires the board to engage in a balancing act and is not required to strictly apply township ordinances, zoning plan, or master plan. As a board of adjustments, variances are granted when appropriately necessarily following all legal considerations. As been the
case with prior boards, this board will see where we're at if we're still in session around 10:30 p.m. I ask that all applicants, professionals, and residents show respect to each other and be civil throughout all proceedings. I ask that you withhold applause, booing, or interrupting of anyone while they're
speaking. The chair will not tolerate any outburst by applicants, professionals, or the public. Further, since most cases are being recorded by a court reporter, I ask the speakers do not speak over one another. Uh the first item is on the agenda is a close session
for an update on uh pending litigation. Can I get a motion to go into close session? >> We motion close session. >> Second. >> Motion made by Vice Chairman Ogorman, second by Mr. Patel. All in favor signify by saying I.
>> Oppos? Nay. The eyes have it. Board will adjourn to close session. We should not be long everyone. Thank you. Can >> I get a motion to return to public session? >> Motion to return to public session. >> Second. >> Motion made by Mr. Schneider. Seconded
by Mr. Patel. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Those nay. The eyes have it. Bo return to session. Thank you everyone for your patience uh with us. Always took care a little uh little work. Um let's get down to business. Uh madam secretary, first case on the agenda, please.
>> Case number Z212025 Pratima Parab 35 Manor Boulevard. Applicant is seeking a use or Dvariance to construct an addition to the rear of the property. The following standards have not been met. F required is 0 44.
Proposed is 0 47. Affected property is located in the RB zone designated as block 593.04, lot number 36.01 on the Edison Township tax map. All noticing paperwork is in order. >> Good evening, Mr. Shire. >> Good evening, Mr. Chairman, members of
the board. My name is Bernard Shy, firm of Conre and Shire, representing the applicant, Pratima Pab. Uh this is a a relatively straightforward application. Uh they reside at 35 Manor Boulevard uh in the lot named by the secretary in the
RB zone. It is a single family home. Uh because uh they need more room for their family. Uh they are proposing to add a master bedroom suite over the garage. There will be no expansion of the footprint of the home. Uh they're going
straight up. uh because they simply need more room for the family. Uh the only variance they're seeking is a floor area ratio variance which is a relatively small one. Uh the uh permitted F is 44.
They are proposing 47. Uh they are essentially 264 square ft over the limit. Uh I have uh Ms. Parab here this evening to testify as to why they want to do this and what they're doing. And I
have Mr. Paul Fletcher who's a licensed planner to testify to the planning aspects of the application. Unless there are any preliminary questions, I'm ready to proceed. >> Anybody have any preliminary questions for Mr. Sh? You may proceed, Mr. Char.
>> Thank you. Call Pratima Pab. Miss Pab, would you raise your right hand? Do you solemnly swear or affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth to help you? God, >> I do. >> Pull the microphone closer to you. >> I do. >> Okay. And state your full name.
>> My name is Pratima Parab. Good evening everyone. Um we are residing at 35 Manor Boulevard me and my husband Abidi Chadri uh for from 2013 almost 12 years. Um I have a family of five. I have two kids who are uh 15 and 18 respectively. My
daughter will be going to college nearby at Rutkers. She'll be staying home and commuting. Um I have my in-laws nearby who visit often and with the growing kids um and the family growing we feel that we are short of one bedroom and we have this little extra space above our
family room over the garage. Uh we wanted to have one bathroom and master bedroom built there. Both me and my husband work from home. We were just having little extra space that needed because um we can use that as home office space as well at times. Um this
is the only thing um we are looking we are not adding to the footprint of the house. No changes to the lot. Um we love our neighbors. We want to be in the area. We love our town. Uh we don't plan to move so soon. My kids are going to school here at least for next 5 to 8
years. We are not moving anywhere. >> I have no other questions. Sport have any questions from Rob? Seeing none. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Call Paul Fletcher. you. Do you solemnly swear or affirm to tell
the whole truth, nothing but the truth to help you God? >> Yes, I do. >> And just state your full name for the record. >> Paul J. Fletcher. >> And Mr. Fletcher, you have appeared prior to us. if you could just give the board a quick summary of your background qualifications. >> Certainly. Uh I'm the principal and
owner of uh Fletcher Engineering. Have been for 32 years. I'm a licensed professional planner in the state of New Jersey. Uh we've been providing engineering and planning services uh to the uh private community. Uh for those 32 years, I've been in front of this
board and many others in Middle Sex County on a number of occasions. >> And your planning license is current good standing? >> Yes, it is. >> Okay, we'll accept you. May proceed. Thank you. Thank you. >> Uh Mr. Fletcher, you've reviewed this application and the relevant ordinances of the township of Edison with regard to giving planning testimony in this
matter. >> Yes, I have. >> Could you please give the board the benefit of uh your review? >> Certainly. Uh the subject property 35 Manor Drive. It's known as lot 36.01 in block 593.04.
Uh it's in the RB zone. It has 7,950 square ft and it's currently uh improved with a uh one and twotory uh brick and frame dwelling. And the applicant
proposes to uh expand the house by building over the uh the attached garage. Uh the footprint of the building will not change. Uh there will be no uh additional foundation. uh uh the uh second floor will be
enlarged from a master bedroom suite. Uh because of that enlargement, the uh total uh square footage of the building uh will now and it's proposed will now exceed the allowable F ratio. Uh allowed
in the RB zone is 44% uh proposed is 47%. Uh firstly I'd like to opine that uh I believe that's a dimminimous difference uh would not be noticed by the public.
Uh however uh a D4 F variance is required. Uh and uh we must uh address the positive and negative criteria regarding uh justification of the variance. Um as as
pertains to the positive criteria, uh courts have found that uh the D4 F variance is more more like a D3 conditional use variance. uh and that the board uh the board's
focus must be on whether the site will accommodate the the problems associated with the proposed permitted use but with a larger floor area ratio than permitted by the ordinance. Uh in this case I see
no uh frankly no uh problems associated with this. Uh we're we're uh not changing the impervious or the lot coverage. Uh we're just enlarging uh the square footage of the second
floor. Uh I think it also uh we can uh say that it promotes the general welfare in that this building would be modernized. Uh it'll have a new facade. uh it'll be uh aesthetic improvement to
the neighborhood and hopefully will add value. Um with regards to the uh negative criteria, uh the MLUL states that no variance or other relief may be granted without showing that such variance or other
relief may be granted without substantial detriment to the public good and will not substantially impair the intent and purpose of the zone plan and zoning ordinance. U I I see no substantial detriment to the public
good. Uh as I as I've mentioned, we didn't we're not enlarging the footprints. We're not changing storm water management or storm water runoff. Uh we're improving the aesthetics of the building. Uh and we're proposing a dimminimous uh increase in floor area uh
which requires the D4 variance. Uh but I see no sign significant impairment to u his own plan nor the master plan uh of the township of Edison. Uh I think based on those um
uh facts and case law uh I think the board has the authority to grant this requested variance. >> I have no other questions. Does the board have any questions for Mr. Fletcher? >> Okay. Mr. Vice Chairman, >> how does this fit into the characteristics of the neighborhood?
This proposed addition, >> the there are other u many other two-story homes in the building in the neighborhood. This is a two-story a partial two-story home. Uh it's just being modernized by being all
twotory. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions, >> Tina? Thank you very much, Mr. Fletcher. >> That's the applicant's case, Mr. Chairman. >> All right. Uh, so we'll now go out to the public. Anyone within 200 feet of subject site wanting to be heard, if you are within 200 feet of subject site, you
received a notice via certified mail. >> Go outside of 200 ft of subject site. Seeing none, can I get a motion to close the public portion? >> Motion to close public portion. >> Second. >> Motion made by Mr. Schneider, seconded
by Mr. Patel. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I oppose. Nay. The eyes have it. Public portions now closed and I'll go, >> Mr. Mr. Chairman, there there were two people that did want to speak. I don't think they understood what you were what you were saying. Uh
if you could reopen the public portion just for >> Can I get a motion to reopen the public portion? >> Motion to reopen the public portion. >> Second. >> Thank you. >> You caught me on a good night. M Mr. Motion made and seconded. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Nay. The eyes have it. Public portion is now open.
Anyone within 200 feet of subject site wanting to be heard, please approach. Please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear or affirm to tell the whole truth, nothing but the truth to help you God? >> I do. >> Ma'am, pull the microphone closer to
you. You >> said you do. Okay. And state your full name and provide your address, please. My full name is Bhavna Sharma. My address is 38 Mana Bulwward. >> Okay ma'am if you please tell us uh you
have six minutes. >> I know Pratima and Abijit since uh 8 years and they are a nice family and uh I do not have any objection uh for from them to building their house.
Okay, that's all you have to say. Thank you very much. Anyone else within 200 feet of subject site? >> Sir, raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear or affirm to tell the whole truth, nothing but the truth to help you God? >> I do. >> And state your full name for the record. Provide your address.
>> S Koya. Um, we live in 15 Mana Boulevard. Uh, we live two blocks. Sir, not to interrupt you. You can bring the microphone closer. There you go. >> Yeah. Uh we live on 15 Mana Boulevard which is two houses away from uh Pratima Pratima's house. Uh we do not have any objection for them to uh upgrade their
home. Um so we lived there in the street for 8 years and we've known known them for 8 years. Objections. >> Great. Thank you so much. Anyone else within 200 feet of subject site want to be heard? Anyone outside of subject site want to be heard? Can I get a motion to close
the public portion? Motion to close the public portion. >> Second. >> Motion made by Mr. Schneider, second by Mr. Johnny. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Nay. The eyes have it. Public portion is now closed. And I'll go to the board. >> Mr. Chairman. >> Mr. Chairman.
>> I'd like to make a motion to approve this application based on meeting the positive and ne negative criteria. It'll be an improvement to the neighborhood. There's no increase to the impervious or the lot coverage. Uh there was no objections from the neighbors. There's
actually two that uh positive in uh enforcement that they approve this. Thank you. >> Second >> motion made by Vice Chairman Gorman, second by Mr. Patel. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Johnny,
>> yes. Yes in the motion. >> Mr. Chabra, >> yes to the motion. >> Mr. Schneider, >> yes to the motion. >> Mr. Patel, >> yes to the motion. >> Mr. Sadha, >> yes to the motion. >> Vice Chair Gorman, >> yes on the motion. >> And Chairman Kumba, >> yes on the motion. Thank you. >> Now approval. Congratulations. >> Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Madam Secretary, next case on the agenda, >> case number Z8 2025, Sacred Foundation, 3880 Park Avenue. Applicant is seeking a use or a devariance to utilize 2,800
square feet of the 65,000 square foot building and will share parking with the building for use of a house of worship and gathering. Standards have not been met in accordance with the master plan. A place of worship is not a permitted use in this zone. Affected property is located in the RARI zone designated as
block number 593, lot number 1.35 on the Edison Township tax map. All noticing paperwork is in order. getting outnumbered by attorneys. Who's who's taking the taking the lead? Mr. Smith, >> I'm doing a little introduction and then I'm passing the case over to my
colleague David. But for the record, Mr. Chairman, my name is Bob Smith. I'm a licensed attorney in the state of New Jersey, and I'm here tonight representing Sacred Foundation, which is a New Jersey nonprofit. Uh we're here tonight for use variance, which is why
we're in front of the zoning board. Let me tell you a little bit about the application. First of all, both myself and Mr. Brasad will be presenting it. Um, we are representing a New Jersey nonprofit corporation, and we're seeking a use variance for this application,
which is Z8-2025. The property uh is located at 3880 Park Avenue, block 593, lot 1.35. It is in the RARI zone. The lot contains an existing building that is approximately
65,000 square ft with 173 parking spaces on the north, west, and south sides of the building. And the building has frontage also on Park Avenue. What we're proposing to do uh and asking your permission to do is uh allowing us as a
tenant in the building to utilize approximately 2800 square ft for religious use, specifically a Hindu temple. No site changes are proposed with this application, only the interior fitouts for the religious use. And
additionally, this building is uh is currently it has an adequate number of parking spaces for the religious use and the existing industrial commercial uses permitted on the site. As you will recognize or you'll hear from our
planner tonight, this is an inherently beneficial use case. This is a religious use. um which in New Jersey case law gets that um characterization and the benefits of being inherently beneficial
use. So we hope you'll consider it in that light. We also in the testimony tonight will show you that we will have little or no impact on the surrounding neighborhood. So we hope uh you'll listen to the traffic testimony in in great detail. The variance that we're
seeking is a D1 use variance to permit a religious house of worship in the RI zone where it is currently not a permitted use. We intend to call uh three witnesses on behalf of the Sacred
Foundation uh VA Carney uh will be uh coming forward. Our traffic engineer is John Ray from Mcdana and Ray Associates. And our planner is Jim Higgins from JW Higgins and Associates. And with that, Mr. Chairman, I'd like to turn the case
over to my colleague, David Prasad, and I will get out of his way. >> Sounds good. Thank you very much. >> Thank you for your time, board. Uh I really appreciate this. Um so, uh before we start testimony, for the record, I'd like to just address that we have two professional staff reports that we uh received from the township. We have the
uh Big Nell Planning Consultants report dated uh March 18, 2025. And we also uh recently received a report from the police department from Sergeant Michael Winters dated August 21st, 2025. Um with that, I I could proceed with my next
witness if the board doesn't have any questions of me. >> Board have any questions? >> Mr. Vo. >> Yeah. Uh our latest review is June 10th, 2025. >> I'll grab that real quick. Um, so if we would like to proceed, I can call my first witness.
>> Okay. Um, I believe I've been informed by council that there is um opposing counsel on this case. Yes, sir. >> Can you can you approach the >> Damon Crest McGovern Legal Services on behalf of the Park Gate Condominium
Association, the adjacent property owner? >> Okay. So, just so you understand the run a show, the way the way we do things in this board is so Mr. Prasad is going to present the applicant's case. Um, at the conclusion of his case, it'll then turn over to you and then you'll then question the witnesses. I know some boards do it different ways, but this is
how we do it here. >> So, I'll question his witnesses after he's done putting his whole case. after you're done with this case. That's correct. Okay. >> And I'd also like to >> I'd also like to clarify for the record um that you only represent the Parkgate
Condominium Association and not an individual. Correct. >> That's correct. I don't represent any of the individuals who live in the community. >> Thank you very much. Okay, Mr. Pad. >> Thank you. Uh for my first witness, I'd like to call >> You can Can you Can you Can you approach
>> No, you got to talk on the microphone, council. Sure. Fred Plesi, uh, 2163 Oak Road. Also submitted a letter to the planning board, the secretary or the construction office advising that I'd be here tonight on behalf of one of the neighbors, 3900 Park Avenue Associates.
>> Okay. All right. So, you'll get same ground rules. >> Thank you very much. >> So, uh, for first witness, I'd like to call Mr. Cole Carney from the Sacred Foundation. Good evening everyone. >> Mr. Karnney, you can.
>> Sir, would you raise your right hand? Do you solemnly swear or affirm to tell the whole truth, nothing but the truth to help you God? >> I do. >> And state your full name for the record. >> I am Bahu Kulkari and I live in Linders, New Jersey. B H A U Kulkarnney. K U L K A R N I.
Uh, Mr. Karnney, um, can you please state your role and relationship to Sacred Foundation? >> I am one of the founding trustees. We founded this nonprofit organization in February of 2023. >> And what is the proposed use of the
property at 3800 Park Avenue or 3880 Park Avenue? We want to create a space for people to come for prayers and worshiing of a deity from a small
area region of India called Ponderpur which is not a very commonly uh known kind of or a very large organization as a temple. It will be a very small congregation and that is what we are trying to build. And how many square feet are you
intending to use out of the entire building? >> We are taking 2,800 square ft. >> Okay. Uh do you currently have a location for your temple? >> Yes. Last 3 years I have been having this temple at my home in Lindust in Bergen County
>> and why did you choose Edison Township for your new location? Like I said, we are a pretty small congregation and a lot of people that visit the temple from time to time are from Edison Piscataway area and uh for
them obviously they would like to come a little more often but they can't because Lindust is really some ways away. So one is convenience and the other is of course Edison as a town is very welcoming and we find that it will be uh
beneficial for us to be in here in Edison town. >> And can you uh tell the board what your proposed hours of operation are? We Monday to Friday we operate 7 to 12 in the morning and 4 to 8 in the
evenings and Saturday Sunday 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. >> Uh just to clarify between the hours of 12 and 4:00 p.m. During the weekdays the building is closed. >> Our temple area will be closed.
>> Uh do you have any employees for the building? >> No, this is entirely run by volunteers. And are there volunteers to close and open the building? >> Yes, many of them in Edison area. That is why coming to Edison is going to be very helpful for us.
>> Uh how many congre uh congregants do you expect to be in the building on a daily basis? >> On a daily basis, we will expect about 40 people to visit us over this 8 n hour period. >> And how long do congrants typically stay in the building?
>> Uh congregants are free to come and go as they wish. There is no specific timing like a a mass or any such u activity. Uh people come and go and typical time for a family to be in the temple will be about 15 minutes.
>> And as you mentioned that the uh foundation does not hold any mass or weekly services. >> No. Um do you celebrate religious holidays or hold religious events where overflow parking will be needed? Uh not really because we are not uh we
have just one or two events in the year and they are held at Johnson Park in Piscatawa. That is what we have been doing for last 3 years. So whenever there is any kind of uh large event or festival to be conducted we hold it
outside somewhere in a large park or such space and we don't have any plans for you know a cafeteria for people or uh allowing people to hold like some ceremonies marriage ceremonies anything of that sort it is purely for visiting
the temple for the purpose of praying. >> Uh thank you Mr. Mr. Karnney, I have no further questions. If the board has any questions, does >> board have any questions for Mr. Karnney? >> Vice Chairman. >> Yes, I have a question. So, you're going to have 40 to 50 attendees per day and
they visit. They're going to be there for 10 to 15 minutes. >> That's correct. >> Is it spread out or are they call come at once? >> They come and go. No, no, not because there is no uh specific service offered from the temple side. So there is no timing 7 to noon and 4 to 8 during these
9 hours people come and go whenever they want whenever they have time on the way to office on the way back whatever >> thank you m sir uh there is no kitchen or you're distributing any food >> no no I mean prasad will be there a
little bit but no food as such like a lunch dinner nothing of that sort thank you >> any other questions >> so Mr. Mr. Chair, >> go ahead. Mr. >> So the area I see here on the plan is 2,800 square ft. So it's just a big open space.
>> Big open space. That's so in one corner there will be those three or four deities that are from the Sparpur region and in front of that will essentially be a open hall. >> Now where is there another facility?
You mentioned Lynhurst at your home, but is there another facility anywhere in this area? >> No. No, like I said, it's a very small very uh it's not like you know some very large temple that even back home in India it is not a very large temple
which has got all over India presence or multiple locations. It's just one temple in India as well. So there is a group of people who subscribe to that particular uh here in Edison area mainly.
So there will be no formal time that okay all 50 people come at 4:00 or 5:00 or anything of that sort. >> Would would there be any events? >> Events like I said we have got just one or two big events in the year but the
people number of people can be much larger than even 100. So we don't do it in the temple at all. Even right now last three years we have been holding it in Johnson Park Academy. Yes, gentlemen. Mr. Johnny, >> so what at at a at a specific point of
time, how many people you are expecting in your temple? >> We would expect about three four families. So maybe 10 12 people at a time kind of streaming through the temple. >> Do you do you have any residential area for any uh priest or something in your
area? >> No, no, no, no. Because like I said, it is all done by volunteers. So we don't have employed priest or anything like that at the temple. >> So you lock down the temple at 8:00 or 8:30. >> That's correct. And between 12:00 and 4:00 in the afternoon.
>> What kind of a scale are you looking for in next 2 to 3 years in the temple? >> Frankly, number of people as a size of congregation is not one of our parameters because this community is very well defined. people who believe in
Lord Vitala in the Pandar area. >> That's right. And uh >> but by word of mouth right you don't do any scaling but by word of mouth people start coming in do you expect any kind of scalability in your temple so how
much >> some growth will be there but I I don't want to go into too much detail but the important maybe it is important to put it in front of you right now this particular deity is considered to be a manifestation of Lord Krishna and that
is what most Indians pray. So very specific people believe in this particular thing. So we we are not saying that just because we're in Edison suddenly some 200 more people will start coming or anything like that. >> No, I'm I'm just trying to understand your
>> so of course right now we are getting not even 10 in Edison I mean sorry in Linders because it's a very remote area. >> Exactly. >> For people here >> so from 10 we are already taking it to 40 per day. But we don't expect that 40 to become
like 100 or anything. >> Are you planning to build something more in rest of the area like 65,000 square ft is available. Are you planning to increase? >> At least right now we don't have any activity to support that kind of growth.
Like I said, no wedding halls or that's not in our plan. >> That is what? >> Yeah. No, certainly not. >> I'm thank Mr. Johnny, >> Mr. Chairman. >> Mr. Vice Chairman. >> Okay. So you had said there going to be one or two big events. >> Mhm.
>> Define what your event is. How many people? What time of the year? >> Uh it happens in August. One main event is in August and that goes for about 4 hours and what happens is we that is why
we go to Johnson Park specifically grow three four because they are very large. So we put a small pandle in the middle of the ground and people kind of you know parameulate around that for 3 4 hours that's the program but that cannot
happen in the temple or in our parking lot or anywhere we have to go to a larger park for that >> so that's one event you said one or two what's the other one >> so in that time itself so the one that I told you right now is about the
conclusion of the ceremony and in the middle Sometimes there is a specific date that comes in which case we might have two celebrations in that year. Both of similar nature one is in the middle of so it's a 18-day period of festivities. So sometimes we'll have only the end
date which is called ashadi a ekadashi and sometimes we might have two dates one in the middle of this 18-day period. Both are similar in nature. people parameulate around a dity but it takes three four hours and if it is 250 300
people then anyway we can't try to squeeze them into this new area >> right thank you >> and with regard that that same subject so if I know you have it in Johnson Park what's the plan for if it rains
>> it's a risk that we have to take but that is exactly the date on which it happens in India also and India also is having rains everything that happens here and nothing stops. So people just come because people who believe in that
people who want to worship that they will not care whether it is sunny or rainy or whatever. >> If so approved would you agree to a condition that there would be no large events held at the site. >> Sure. Absolutely. We have no intention. >> Okay. Thank you very much. Any other questions?
>> Okay. Thank you very much sir. Uh for my next witness, I do have Mr. uh John Ray from Mcdana and Ray Associates to testify on the traffic. >> We have solemnly swear to tell the whole truth, nothing but the truth to help you God. >> I do.
>> And state your full name, please. >> John Ray Rea. Mr. Ray, you've appeared for before this board prior. Um if you could please just give us a brief summary of your background qualifications. >> Sure. I'm a licensed professional engineer in the state of New Jersey. My field of specialty is traffic
engineering. I now have a a total of 50 years experience in the traffic engineering field. The last 40 of which have been doing consulting work here in the state of New Jersey. And uh I have an undergraduate degree in civil engineering from NJIT and a master's in
traffic engineering from NYU. and I've appeared before this board and literally hundreds of other boards throughout the years as a as a traffic expert >> and license are current and good standing. >> Yes, sir. >> You may proceed. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, board chair. Uh Mr. Ray, you have a you have a chance to review the
application and prepare a report regarding the traffic and parking situation on the site. Is that correct? >> I have. >> Uh can you please uh give the board the benefit of your study? >> Okay. So, uh when I was engaged to do the traffic study, it was just about at the end of the school year. So, we uh we got out to the intersection of Park
Avenue and Park Gate Drive, Stevenville Parkway uh before Edison Township Schools closed for the uh season. We did peak hour traffic counts at the intersection in June of 2025. And uh I visited the site personally during the afternoon peak hour around
5:00 in the afternoon to observe traffic conditions. Uh I interviewed the applicant and you've heard the testimony with respect to the uh statement of operations and uh I basically added that traffic uh to the intersection that they're going to add. We're talking
about four to five on an average four to five worshippers per hour over a typical day. I assumed it would be double that during a peak hour. There would be 10 uh worshippers per hour going through going into and out of the site during a peak
hour. And to give you a handle on what the impact will be on the intersection during the afternoon peak hour at the intersection of Park Avenue and Park Gate Drive, Stevenville, there are over 2,000 cars going through the intersection. Worst case scenario, this
application is going to add 10 cars. That's one half of 1%. So I I think it was pretty easy for me to draw a conclusion that uh based on the statement of operations that uh this application if approved by the zoning board will not have a significant impact
on traffic conditions in the area. Uh the second thing I did was look at the parking supply. There are 173 parking spaces in the parking lot for the 65,000 foot building. Um again assuming a worst case scenario
that any particular time we would need 10 or maybe even 20 of those parking spaces uh for worshippers during a typical day. There would be 153 to 163 parking spaces left. I went to the Institute of Transportation Engineers
parking generation manual and I calculated how much additional parking based on the IT would be required for the warehouse. assuming that another warehouse use went into the building and based on the IT numbers, we're looking at a demand of an additional 67 parking
spaces and we have a minimum of 153 that will be left. So, there will not be a parking issue or a parking problem should this application be approved. [Music] >> I have no further questions for Mr. Ray if the board has any questions. Board of
>> any questions for Mr. Ray? Mr. Prasad, with regard to uh Officer Winter's letter and your response, would you like to address that with Mr. Ray or >> Yes, we uh Mr. Ray, if you can please. >> Sure. Uh actually, the the police report recommends that we have a one-way exit
only out to Parkgate Drive and no entrance from Parkgate Drive. It is my understanding that my applicant is willing to accept that restriction. The problem is we'd have to run that by the landlord, the person that owns the building. Um, I don't know if we've done that yet, but the police report makes a
lot of sense. Uh, my client is willing to use the second driveway on Park Avenue and and direct people to use that driveway. The only thing I will say is I do agree with the police report that during peak hours, it would be beneficial to the worshippers if they
could get access to the traffic signal at Stevenvilleville Parkway to make a left turn at the traffic signal instead of directly out onto Park Avenue. So I think I understand why the uh police report recommends an exit only uh to Park Gate Drive and no entrance and we
can comply with the police report. >> So just to clarify, Mr. Ray, we are going to agree that we will use a southern entrance, not the Park Gate Drive entrance for partitioners, parishioners as much as we can and we will comply with the police report into just using Park Gate Drive as an exit
only in times of peak hour traffic. >> That is correct. But that would be subject to uh landlord approval. Correct. >> Uh the landlord approval would only have to come if we put a physical gate or barrier as he suggested. Um that would have to take the landlord's approval,
but otherwise the congregation can be limited to one exit um and then only used park gate as a um exit only. >> Okay. Um so Mr. Ray, I have a question. So, did you do any analysis into the
signalized interchange at park uh gate truck? >> Um, if you could speak to that and speak to So, here's my concern. My concern is that, you know, I understand there's it's not it's not like there's a there's a service and the service is over and everybody everybody heads for the exit
at the same time. Um, but my concern is that if that intersection if that signalized intersection can handle the additional vehicles as proposed. >> Um, >> understood. >> If you could please address that. Uh worst case scenario is the afternoon peak hour where we had a total of 2015
vehicles going through the intersection. Uh worst case scenario we would add another 10 vehicles about 1 half%. I did run an analysis of the intersection which showed that uh it would uh the increase in incremental delay would be
approximately 2 seconds per vehicle under that worst case scenario. So I do believe the impact will be minimal. and I was out at the site during the peak hours uh in the afternoon. Uh the majority of the traffic as you know is north and south on Park Avenue which is a Middle Sex County arterial. It's
county Route 531 and it's I'm sorry I'm hearing something behind me. Give me a minute. So it's a it's a busy Middle Sex County arterial. Most of the traffic is on Park Avenue.
>> Okay. All right. Thank you. Any questions, Mr. Rick? Go ahead. >> Yeah, just to clarify, is the applicant willing to comply with the police recommendation and request of the landlord the gate to be installed? >> Uh, we have spoken to the landlord. Uh,
unfortunately, they are not willing to budge on that. What I was saying is that the congregation, the applicant itself, will limit all of their traffic to the southern entrance because that's pretty much all they have control over. The rest of it is up to the landlord and the landlord has an agreement recorded with
the county dated I think 1982 and they purchased a building with that agreement. So I they are not willing at the moment to limit their traffic or put a physical barrier at one entrance but the applicant and the congregation will be clearly directed to use only the
southern entrance and not interfere with um the Parkate Drive. So, the the testimony seemed that the applicant was willing to accept the police letter and recommendation. However, that's not really the case, right? So,
even though you'd like to accept it, you can't because the landlord is not allowing it. >> Yeah. I I I my testimony is I understand why the police report recommended us just having an exit to Park Gate Drive, but I think uh what what our applicant and our clients willing to do is not use
it at all and just use the uh the access to Park Avenue and that could be put in the resolution. >> So this police letter was just sent to you like 3 days ago, right? >> Correct. Yeah. >> So within the last 3 days, the landlord put their foot down and said, "No, you
can't put a gate here." Uh well, we addressed it with the landlord when we received the letter. It took a couple days for him to get back to us, but uh what he said was essentially that it is difficult for him as a building owner to limit the entrance that exists uh for his site. Um and especially because we
are an applicant that is only using 2,800 square ft of the building. So what we did in order to accommodate that was to agree to for the congregation and for the applicant's use that all of the congregation and its members will limit their traffic to the southern entrance.
So to avoid causing any delay or any problems with the park community as much as we can. If I could just further on my colleague's question, would you also agree so as to not to touch upon the
park gate drive so as to limit your uh both entering and exiting vehicles through the other driveway on Park Avenue? >> I'm I'm sorry. So not to use a parkade drive. >> Um >> the applicant will agree to that of course.
>> So if if so approve, we would make that a condition. >> Okay. >> Mr. Chair, are you done? >> Okay. I I cut you off, Mr. Sh. I apologize. >> No, that's okay. Okay. I was finished. Vice Chairman >> Mr. All right. So, let's expand on that. So, you're you're going to say that it's going to be open. The police are
recommending a a a gate, and you're saying there's no gate, >> right? Corre correct. We we try to reason with the landlord as the owner of the building to install a gate or a barrier. Um, as the owner of the building is a separate landlord from our
applicant, uh, he was not willing to do so. Um and since our application is very minimal in the size of 2,800 square f feet compared to the entire building altogether uh we are willing to limit our participation the applicants and their congregation to only to not using that exit.
>> How are they how do the the the attendees know that that it's limited you can't go through that gate? >> Uh we will put signage on park on the entrance directed for them to use. Um as as um the applicant did say uh Mr. Kulcarnney said uh is a small congregation. They are not here to cause
any disturbance or to disturb the neighbors. That is not their intention at all. They will drive it home with their participants that they will not use the park gate entrance if that is the request of the board. They have no issues with that. >> But that's an it's it's in and out. So coming in, how do they know they can't
use it coming in? Also, >> we'll we will make it very clear. We'll put a sign if if that's the request of the board at the southern entrance that says sacred foundation entrance only, entrance and exit only. Um, we will direct they will direct the traffic specifically to only using that
entrance. There is no purpose to disturb the Park Gate community and no intention to do so. >> All right. So, so they're not going to go through the northern entrance on Park Avenue. What about on the southern exit? Has was there been a traffic uh study done on making a left?
>> Yes, it will be uh during peak hours there will be delay associated with the left turn. I do believe that's why the police recommended at least giving us an access to Park Gate Drive. But >> speaking to the microphone so we can hear you.
>> I can certainly hear you. Um that I believe is why the police recommended giving us an exit to Park Gate Drive, which I think from an overall traffic perspective makes sense. However, um as Mr. Prasad has indicated our landlord,
the person that owns the building will not accept any restrictions on that driveway. So, we're we're kind of stuck in the middle here, but our congregation is willing to do whatever the board decides needs to be done in order to limit the uh the impact to Park Gate
Drive. >> So, my question is on the on the south entrance. >> Yes. >> And they go and and they go to make a left. Have did you do a study on that? It's going to be there's going to be delay. Yes, there there's a cue from the signal. They're going to have to wait
for the light to turn green on Park Avenue and find a gap. Maybe even a courtesy gap during peak during peak hours. It will be difficult. >> Did you do a study on that? >> Yes. >> Where is that? In here. >> It's in the report. I I I've been out to the site during peak hours.
>> So, in reference to that that south entrance. Where in the report? >> Give me a second. >> Take your time. The uh the printouts for the unsignalized left turn were not included in the appendix to the report, but I have them. So bear with me. I do have
them. So the left turn out onto Park Avenue will operate at what we call level of service E. During the afternoon peak hour, that's the worst of the two. During the morning peak hour, it will be level of service C. During the afternoon peak hour, the worst case, it'll be 38
seconds of delay and a level of service E, which is uh still considered to be an acceptable level of service. >> So that's not in your in this report. >> It's I I have the printouts. I was under the assumption when I came to the meeting tonight based on the police
report that we were going to be allowed to use Park Gate Drive. So, I'm I'm trying to answer your question as best as I can. I have the information >> and I'm under oath and I just testified to it. >> Can we get that information submitted for the record?
>> I can provide it to your professionals. Absolutely. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other questions for Mr. Ray? >> Mr. Chair, Mr. Trevor. Uh, Mr. Ray, what about the left turn from Park A to the south entrance?
>> Do you see any >> I got to go back and look at the printouts. That'll be a little bit of a better level of service because what's going to happen there is when the signal is read for southbound Park Avenue traffic, there'll be a gap for that movement to be made. Give me a minute to
look at the printouts. That left turn is actually going to be level of service A during both the morning and afternoon peak hours based on the volume and based on the fact that we're going to get a gap from the signal. >> Okay. And you'd mentioned you'd conducted the field observation study back in June 2025. Is that correct?
>> Yes. >> And um you said approximately what time was it? >> Uh the morning counts were done 7 to 9:30. The peak hour in the morning occurred 8:15 to 9:15. The afternoon counts were done from 3:00 to 6:00 and
the afternoon peak hour occurred between 4:45 and 5:45. >> And when did you observe the most um influx of vehicles? What time would you say? >> Around 5:00 in the afternoon was >> into the into the warehouse. >> There is no traffic going into and out of the warehouse now. It's not there no tenants.
>> There's no tenants. >> No traffic going in and out. >> So the whole building is unoccupied. >> Yes. At the time at the time I was there. >> Okay. Do you happen to know what the occupants or tenants are at the moment? >> There are none at the moment. And in my report, I did include the vacant space.
I did do a traffic generation estimate for the vacant space, assuming it was going to be warehouse at one day. I did include that in the report, but at this point in time, I did not notice any other tenants in the building. >> Okay. Yes. >> Yeah. If I can clarify, uh there are tenants in the building. Um, I have
walked the site personally as well with the uh with the applicant and during uh 2 o'clock in the afternoon and at 4:00 in the afternoon and there were no more than 10 cars in the parking lot. Um, I I believe that a majority of the building is being used for just storage. Um, but
other than that, uh, there was no more than 10. >> I did not notice any traffic entering or leaving during that time. There may have been some cars parked in the parking lot, but if there were, it was very minimal and there was no traffic entering or leaving. >> Okay. And Mr. Prasad, you said, uh, what's the current tenants that are in
there? Um, you just said storage or >> I'm not sure of the exact tenants that are in the building. I can just say that I saw 10 cars in the lot when we went there to walk the site. >> Okay. All right. >> I just just to clarify that there are actual tenants in the building. >> Okay. Thank you.
>> Any other questions from the board for Mr. Ray? >> Seeing none. Thank you very much, Mr. Ray. >> Thank you, Mr. Pad. >> Uh, if I can call my next witness. Uh, it's our professional planner, Mr. James Higgins. >> Good evening. >> Good evening. Would you raise your right
hand so to tell the whole truth? >> I do. >> And state your full name for the record. >> James W. Higgins. H I G I N. >> Mr. Higgins, you appeared before the board prior. If you could just please give us a quick summary of your background qualifications. >> Sure. I am a licensed planner in the
state of New Jersey. My license is current. I have been a planner for approximately 45 years. I have testified before this board on a number of occasions as an expert in the field of planning. I've testified before boards in roughly a 100 municipalities
throughout the state over the years. Been a planning consultant representing a number of municipalities over the years. Uh and I've been recognized by the state supreme court as an expert in the field of planning. >> And your license are current in good standing? My license is currently Yes,
it's current. >> Excellent. Thank you so much, Mayor. Proceed. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, Mr. Higgins, you had a chance to review the application and prepare some planning testimony in regards to the inherently beneficial use of a house of worship. >> Yes, I did. >> Uh, can you please give the board the benefit of your testimony and your uh
findings? >> Yes, surely the the use has been described to you, so I won't go over that again. I think that's really wasting everybody's time. But the site is in the RARI restricted industrial zone. That's a number of light
industrial uses, office uses or permitted uses in the zone as well as commercial commercial recreational uses limited to tennis, raetball and swimming facilities. U freestanding communications towers and microwave antennas and dishes are conditionally
permitted uses in the zone. And there and the ordinance your ordinance and it's somewhat unusual but there are some municipalities that do that. There are uses that are specifically pro prohibited. That's residential uses, commercial uses unless they're an
accessory to one of the permitted uses and hazardous hazardous uses of buildings and land. Um houses of worship are not specifically permitted. So that a use variance is necessary and uh it's a D1 use variance.
The standards for a D1 variance are first of all to show that there are special reasons for the granting of the variance and that there is no substantial negative impact to surrounding areas or to your zone plan.
In this instance, the positive reasons, the special reasons for the granting of the variance are met. The as uh has been stated, the use is an inherently beneficial use as identified by the courts and the municipal land use law.
And so therefore, the positive reason for the granting of the variance has been met, the special reasons. Uh with regard to inherently beneficial uses, there is a specific test that has been uh developed by the state supreme court
uh in the SECA versus Wall Township case back in the 1980s. And that test is a four-step test to determine whether or not the application should be approved. The first step is to determine the magnitude of the benefit of the
variance. And in this instance, you have a use that is inherently beneficial. You have a use that has protections under the Constitution of the United States and also has protections with specific legislation, federal legislation, the
religious institutional and let me get this right. And I don't have that in my notes as far as but it's it's called RUPA but it's religious and institutional land use procedures
uh uh I think act if if I if if I'm correct in that. So that the I think the magnitude of the benefit is substantial with regard to uh determine the next step too is to determine if there are
any potential negative impacts from the proposed use. And generally first of all looking at generally you have a site that is an industrial site. It's adjacent to an industrial site to the south and then to the north and the west
you have residential uses. So it's it's in a transitional type area between residential uses and and industrial uses. So to have a use such as a house of worship which typically are allowed in residential zones, it it provides for
a very nice transition. It softens the industrial use to to think to lack for lack of a better word by having a use that is more compatible with residential uses in the area. So that I think that's one aspect of the there's no substantial
negative impact. If anything, I think it might be a slight positive impact by by reducing the intensity of the industrial use of the site. Second would be aesthetics and there are no proposed changes to the appearance of the site uh or the building. So there's no
substantial negative no negative impact whatsoever with regard to aesthetics. With regard to noise, all the activities are inside the building. So there's no substantial noise impact. Uh and then the other one which has been
discussed at length tonight is traffic. And quite frankly, when I when I look at all the issues for traffic, the first thing is that this is a 2800 square foot section of the building. People are going to be coming during morning hours
and afternoon hours uh in small groups. You might have three or four people coming an hour, three or four cars coming in in an hour. You may have two or three families in there. And just it's simply a house of prayer. It's not
a place where there's a large congregation that's meeting in formal religious ceremonies. It's informal. People come in, they pray, and then they leave. So, the as far as the traffic goes, it's it's very intermittent during the day.
It's not a big rush of traffic at a time of the service and then a big rush leaving the site. And it's quite frankly the traffic is not much different than what would be occurring if the that 2,800 square f feet were to be utilized either for industrial purposes or for
office purposes which are both permitted in the zone. So I don't see any substantial negative impact to the uh to the traffic. Uh, I know there's been discussion about closing off Parkgate Avenue and quite frankly closing that
off would create in my opinion much more of a traffic problem because then all of the traffic on the site particularly traffic leaving the site would have to go out on the southern the southern access and all those left-hand turns that now can be made at the park gate
light would have to be made at that southern driveway. So, I think if anything, what's being proposed here has no substantial negative impact on the the use on on the site and the and the surrounding area as far as traffic goes.
And I think some of the suggestions that have been made as far as closing that gate off would probably have more of a negative impact. And if this application were not approved, there would be no there would be no closing off at that intersection or that that entrance
because the site somebody could move in without any kind of approvals other than getting a a certificate of occupancy and there would be no no pressure to to close off that gate. Um the other issue
is safety and I see no significant safety concerns with regard to this application. Uh consequently in my opinion there are no significant negative impacts with regard to safety. As far as the impact on zoning again the RARI zone is an industrial in nature and
the site is a transitional site between residential and industrial uses. So that I think having a house of worship on the site I I don't think has any substantial negative impact on your own plan or on the surrounding properties. Uh the third
prong of the test and it's called the seea test because it was the see case is that once the negative impacts have been identified the applicant should provide measures to mitigate those impacts. And in this instance, the one impact that
has been discussed is the use of the park gate drive for the congregants to come in and out of the site. And the applicant has taken a an effort made an effort to mitigate that by saying he's
going to require all of the congregants to utilize the southern driveway, not to utilize Park Gate Drive. So if anything in terms of traffic impact on Parkgate Drive and on the resident on the residential development to the north,
it's going to be this would be better because if this application is not approved and a industrial use or an office use goes into the space, they can all utilize Parkgate Drive. Whereas if this application is approved, the
congregation will be instructed to utilize the southern entrance and none of the traffic will utilize Parkgate Drive. Uh the fourth prong of the see test is to balance the positive and negative criteria. And with regard to
inherently beneficial uses, I know boards are used to the the the premise that the positive criteria has to substantially outweigh the negative impacts in order for the application to be approved. With regard to inherently
bene beneficial uses, that standard that that weighing is reversed. The Supreme Court has said unless the negative impacts substantially outweigh the positives, the application should be approved. And in this instance, it's my
opinion that the positive impacts actually outweigh the negatives. So, the application should be approved. >> Um, I have no further questions of uh Mr. Higgins. If the board has any questions, >> board have any questions of Mr. Higgins?
Okay. All right. Seeing none. Uh, thank you very much, Mr. Higgins. Mr. Pad, we do have to review the big planning. >> Yes. >> Letter. >> Uh, would you like me to call the applicant up for that or? >> Yeah, that's fine. >> Mr. Conclan, if you can please come up to the mic.
um to address some of the comments on the um Bignell planning report. Um can you just confirm that the B that the uh that you and the applicant have submitted a parking plan that shows an isolated parking area for the congregation only? >> Yes, we have.
>> Okay. Um you've discussed with the applic uh with the owner, I'm sorry. You've discussed with the owner that the facility will undertake a complete cleanup and repair of all landscaped areas where there's dead and dying uh foliage that needs to be replaced. That's correct. Okay. Um, also there is a rooftop terrace for
the building. I believe that there's where that's where uh mechanical equipment and other things are kept. Um, do you agree that you will not use that rooftop terrace for any of your operations or in have that door? >> First of all, it is not legally also as part of our leased area and secondly, we
will have no access to that in any for any purpose. And and just to reiterate one more time, uh if overflow parking is ever needed for any type of event or if any large events are happening on the site, you will do that offsite as you've been doing uh at places such as Johnson Park. >> That's correct. Absolutely. >> Is there is there any other comments
that uh the board would like me to address? >> Mr. >> Yeah, Mr. Chairman, this is the last one. Uh the lighting, if you're going to have hours after, you know, services after hours, um is it safe for the pedestrians to go through the parking into the building and there's going to be light?
>> Yes. Our parking is like you know one long row and from that there is a kind of a small divider to walk to the entrance of the building and there is a light as well uh in that area. >> All right. I I I would feel more comfortable if an engineer told me that
the foot candles were you know compliant with the ordinance. >> Sure. Yeah. No, I I just told you what I saw, but maybe an engineer can >> uh if I may, we we don't have we didn't have an engineer prepare a lighting plan only because there's no site changes or >> maybe just a condition of approval if
the board does decide to move forward. >> Absolutely. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. >> Thank you, Mr. P. >> Okay. All right. >> Thank you. Thank you very much. >> Uh I have no more questions for Mr. Clarney. That that concludes our testimony. If board has any questions
for any of the applicants, witnesses. >> Okay. All right. So, we're going to um we'll turn it over to you, council, to start your case, and then Mr. Bisi, you'll go next. So, wherever you want to do, if you want to if you want to use the podium, you want to use the the chair and the table there.
>> I have a few questions for Mr. Ray. >> Okay. >> So, where wherever you're comfortable. >> Yep. I'm I'm fine right here. >> All right. The desk is there. We go. >> Mr. Ray, just two quick areas. I have some follow-up questions on starting with >> starting with the parking. >> Sir, I'm gonna I'm going to run the
meeting here, not you. If you want to come over and take over as chair, you're more than happy to do so, but I'll run the meeting. Council, if you can speak into the microphone, >> certainly. Um, starting with the parking. Uh, in your calculations, you were always assuming that the remainder of the space would always be used as a warehouse. Is that correct?
>> Right now, that's what it is. So, yes, that was the assumption. >> Yes, I understand that's what is. So that's you >> if it's going to be something other than a warehouse, we're going to be back in front of this board at some point in time. Yeah. >> Well, are there other permitted uses in the space other than warehouse? >> Uh I didn't look at the zoning uh you
know ordinance, but I'm I'm assuming there probably is, but if it's something other than warehouse, we we'd probably have to come back to this board. >> I don't know why I'm not I'm not questioning about you your the applicant. I'm talking about the other users in the in the >> I assumed it was ware it is a warehouse
building. So in doing my traffic projections, I assumed a warehouse use >> and and you only assumed as for your parking calculations exclusively a warehouse use and no other use correct other than warehouse. >> Correct. >> But the applicant is using the space as something other than warehouse use now if it's approved. Correct.
>> It's going to be a house of worship. Yes. >> Yes. It's not going to be warehouse any longer. >> Right. >> So the building is potentially changing in use from a warehouse to some other use. A and that's why when I went through the numbers before the IT numbers for the remaining space for a warehouse would generate 67 parked
vehicles. We're going to have 150 a minimum of 153 spaces. I'm very comfortable that whatever goes into that building can be accommodated. >> But you'd just be speculating at this point because you haven't done the calculations. >> You got to tell me what the use is. But, uh, we're going to have a we're going to
have a surplus of 80 85 spaces if it's a warehouse. So, so I mean, that's the way I looked at it. Yes. Okay. And then moving on to the the traffic analysis at the site and one
of the board members was questioning you about turning out of, I believe, the Southerntherly entrance or exit onto Park Avenue. >> Yes. Um, and you indicated you perform some additional calculations that were not as included as an appendix to your original report. >> Uh, I did the calculations. They weren't
in the report. I I had assumed that uh we would probably get the exit out to Park Gate Drive, but since we're not going to have that, I did do that calculation anticipating that question might be asked. >> So, just because I haven't seen the document, >> you can see it. I I'll prep I'll give
the information to whoever wants to see it. >> Certainly. Um but my question is just so I can understand um that supplemental calculation that you prepared did that calculation assume that the applicant would have no access to Parkgate Drive whatsoever? >> Yes, it did. Correct.
>> And so but all the other all the other schedules in your report all assume Parkgate Drive provides a means of ingress and or egress to the property. >> Yes. >> Thank you. No further questions. >> Okay. All right. Mr. I just have one question.
>> You have to use the microphone, please. >> Replaces on behalf of 3900 Park Avenue. Sir, >> bring the microphone down just so we can hear you, sir. >> Thank you for following me. Yeah. Uh, I just have one question. What portion of the building would be uh rented out by your client? Or if anyone can answer that question, would it be the south
south facing north facing back front? >> Got to take a look at the plan. Usually that's not something a traffic engineer gets involved. >> No, it does. I'm I'm just throwing it out to >> All right. >> Council, planner, whomever. >> Okay, give me a minute. >> Engineer,
>> it is going to be >> the the It's going to be on the south. >> Mr. Ray, you just bring the microphone closer. >> I'm sorry. The south part of the building >> and that's where the entrance to the house of worship will be. >> Yes. >> All right. No further questions. >> Okay. All right. Thank you very much. Save the rest for public portion if it
if it'll please >> Excuse me. >> We'll save the rest for during the public portion. >> Okay. So, are you planning on calling any witnesses? Is that what you're indicating? >> If we are allowed to speak during the public portion, uh myself or my client,
if that that is allowed by this board, that's the where we plan on speaking. >> We're not. So, only this is your time. This is your opportunity. That's how this board operates. >> All right. So I'll I'll I'll uh bring up a client then and I won't direct a question. >> If you're speaking on behalf of a
client, your client will not be speaking. That's normally this board's um protocol. So if you're speaking, then you're speaking on behalf of your client. >> Okay. Uh during this portion of the session, correct? >> Even Right. Even Right. That's
>> And then I could speak during the public portion. >> No, you cannot. on behalf of myself. >> You're speaking right now. This is your opportunity. >> Okay. All right. So, um I don't have any direct questions, but I do have a client. And then the reason why I asked
about where the um the entrance to the house of worship will be is that my client is directly to the south of the building. And this is where their entrance is going to be. So um if there is going to be overflow parking and we
know that what's been testified to is that the areas where uh the calculations for parking was for uh use as a warehouse but that could change. It could be office space which is allowed under the ordinance. It could be
doctor's office or what have you. But there's about 5 ft of space between their parking area and my client's parking area. I went there today. I visited. So, I would respectfully request that given um the proximity of the parking areas, if the if the
planning board was inclined to grant the application, that they be required to place a fence from the rightway of Park Avenue all the way down the boundary line to the existing chain link fence that exists now
with some landscaping on our side of the fence. south side of the fence. >> We'll give Mr. Bside a moment to No, please take your time. >> Uh I'm sorry. We were just confirming that the site is con the site was
calculated by the uh plan. I'm sorry. the the the engineer calculated the parking based on warehouse space and based on the warehouse space that would be remaining under the Edison Township ordinance and the spaces we would need
for the house of worship 173 would be required 173 is provided that that's what I see on the plan >> I understand but the ordinance allows for office space as well it's not just warehouse space so as a permitted use.
So that being the case, uh given the proximity to our the parking areas, we would simply make that request as a condition of approval if the planning board was so inclined. >> The zoning board zoning board. Sorry about that. >> They're better looking on the planning board. >> Mr. Prasad, I'll give you an opportunity
to respond. >> Can you please uh repeat what the condition that you're requesting is? >> It's simply a fence. Uh there's an existing chain link fence for the the rear portion of the boundary. another fence where that fence ends to
the right ofway of Park Avenue. That would prevent parishioners from parking in our lot when that lot is full in which happens. It happens. It's just normal. People want to go to Party City and it's full on Halloween, they're going to park at the McDonald's next
door. So that when when they have these events that would cause the overflow that would prevent people to finding the nearest avenue where to park, which would be my client's parking lot next door. Um, so just to just to clarify and just
to address your your request, um, we did submit a plan to the to the board for review and we have separate parking necessary for the congregation that will be separated. It we've talked to the landlord. He's agreed to that. And we don't anticipate, as Mr. Re has
testified that we will not need any more parking than that. Overflow parking or any other parking like that for our events for any holidays or religious events will not be happening on the site anyway. We never anticipate that. Um like I said, we're not the landlords, so it's hard for us to agree to install
something on the site, but we can guarantee that we have sufficient parking based under the ordinance. And we, you know, the building has been considered um to have enough space with the proposed uses in the building and with our proposed use as well. >> I understand it's never planned for it
to happen, but it does happen. And I mean, that's that's just that's the reality of it. And considering the proximity of our two parking lots, I think that would be the the very minimum that uh your client can be required to do when he's coming before the zoning board asking for a variance. That's all I have.
>> If I can just address that really quick. Okay. Our client council, >> come back, Mr. Puzzles, maybe you just give him the respect to just let him respond. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> He's just gonna respond. Apologize. No, it's okay. Don't worry, babe. >> And and just for the board's sake as well, uh, our client is just a tenant in the building. Of course, if they own the property, we would do anything we
possibly can do to appease everybody who had an issue. Our goal is not to interrupt or interfere with anyone's business or anyone's property. Um, but like I said, we are only a tenant, so we can agree that we have enough parking spaces for our use. Anything that requires overflow will be done outside
the site for any event. Um, but as a condition, we can agree to not use their parking and that's as far as I can do for my tenant and my client. I mean, that's just similar to to the we won't use park gate, you know. I mean, there's there's an enforcement issue
problem with that. Um, and my client shouldn't have to pay for security or what have you to get vehicles towed in case they do u park in my client's driveway or parking lot. But it's I'll represent and they can probably see from the maps the parking lots between the
two areas are literally there's a a burm of five feet in between the two spots. So that's why I make the request. If it is a condition that the board would like to impose on this, uh, I would like to say that we as a tenant and we can guarantee that we have enough
parking spaces for our need. Um, if there's a condition that the board would like to oppose, my applicant did say that he will install a fence if that is a condition that the board would like to impose on this application. >> One quick point. >> Sorry, you're not you're not on microphone. >> Sorry. >> There we go. One point if I can add in
answer to this question as well as the earlier question that you asked, how do you inform people that they should come only from that entrance is that not just putting the signs on the property but we are going to put it on our website and other social media handles as well to
inform people what kind of discipline they must follow so that they are not disturbing anybody else's parking space or making a wrong kind of turn that can cause any danger to the traffic. So it's not just the sign on the lot but also
through our website etc that will educate people. That's what I wanted to just add to this. Thank you. Okay, Mr. Pissy, you're good. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Council, >> I apologize. I misunderstood your instructions, so I limited my my
presentation to my questions. I have two kids that don't pay attention to me either, so it's all right. You know, obviously it's it's it's a me problem, not a you problem. So, go ahead. It's all right. >> Um, so since this is my opportunity to speak on behalf of the condominium association, I did want to point out that there the condomin condominium
association has several concerns about this application and the proposed use of the adjacent property. Uh most importantly, the temple's use of this property um violates the restrictive covenant that applies to that access road between the properties on Park Gate
Drive. Um the temple would at at the temple would not be permitted to use that entrance for ingress or egress. And as the applicants planner explained, without that egress, it creates a very big problem for the community. But if it
had that access through our through our property, it would create havoc for our community. Um the anyone who's familiar with that entrance way knows that you can't just it's not a nice clean entrance from Park Avenue on Park Drive
into the property, the 38 3880 property. It's a weird little wraparound that involves trans transitioning from the entrance lane to the community to the exit lane to the community where people are coming and going at all times. So, and that's area that the association's
responsible to ensure and maintain and protect. And we do not want the additional road traffic in that area, especially when it's violating the use restriction that is applicable to that property that our developer negotiated some 40 years ago for our benefit. Um,
additionally, um, the association's very concerned about how the additional use of that space is going to negatively impact the quality of life for the residents who live around that space. As the applicant indicated, they're going to be open till 8:00 at night on weekends and on weekdays. And once the
winter gets here, you're going to have more car lights turning in and out. We know our people do not want that condition amplified or the problems of that condition amplified. And then finally, the association is very concerned that the problems that this
this project will create, if it's permitted to have this variance, will only invite additional non-conforming uses into the space. Now, this application is only for 2,800 square ft out of 65,000. Um, already this is going to create problems with traffic and parking. Um, imagine that this building
is subdivided into all smaller uses where we're going to have competing people trying to use that park gate drive entrance, which they're not supposed to use. And the association is considering legal action against the property owner to enjoin any potential use. But especially without any type of
gates preventing or restricting the use of that drive by the congregants members or anyone else's members, um, there's just no way to rely upon people's good nature. I'm sorry, but people are not as good as we would like them to be. Um, they just aren't. And if it's a faster, more convenient way to get in or out on
Park Avenue, which as they as their planner even testified during peak hours to make a left on out of Park Avenue um out of this community onto uh Park Avenue is going to be a nightmare. You have to either hope for the good grace of someone else on the road, and this is New Jersey. We know how little good
grace the other travelers on the road have, or you have to wait for some magical timing of lights. It's just The project, the building next to Park Gate was designed for a specific purpose. And when Parkgate was constructed, an agreement was crafted to
provide a symbiotic relationship between these two parcels. The Sacred Foundation, and I applaud, is a laudable cause. I don't dispute that. It is it's an inherently beneficial use. It's just not what the developer negotiated and envisioned when this project was
constructed back in the 1980s. Sir, I'm gonna ask a couple of questions here. Yep. >> I have no restrictive covenant. I can't guide the board, nor have they reviewed it. >> Okay. >> So, if there's a restrictive covenant that impacts what we are discussing in terms of ingress, essress, traffic
restrictions, or otherwise, this board needs to have a copy. >> That's number one. Are there enough copies for the board? Have they been submitted? >> They have not yet been submitted. >> Okay. So, I think they need to be marked and submitted and the board has to have an opportunity to review it. And I
believe that Mr. Prasad is going to want to respond to this as well, but I I think we're going to need >> Do you have an entire set? >> I have a I have one copy. It's recorded. It's a recorded document. Yes, >> it's a recorded document. >> Yep. It's recorded. It was recorded on March 18th, 1983.
>> And this is an agreement between Parkgate Condominium Association and who else? >> The agreement is between Park Stevens, Inc., which was the community's original the association's original developer, and Specs Industries, Inc., the owner of the parcel at the time,
>> owner of the parcel that >> the 3880 parcel, the applicant, the the parcel on which the applicant's property is located. >> Okay. I can't appine for the board's benefit as to um who any of these entities are as I've been provided no
information on these entities or information. So, um I think that has to be reviewed and we >> um do you want to take a five minute? >> Yeah. Can we take a fiveminute recess, please? Okay. Thank you. here everyone.
>> All right, Mike. >> All right, we're going to return to session arrow. All right. So during the break uh we did receive a copy of this agreement. Um it is quite lengthy. I think given the time of night and Mr. Prasad uh if
you would agree and uh the other council if you would agree uh if we call it a night for this evening so the board can review this uh we could discuss it at the next meeting and then um we'll then open to the public uh for the public portion. >> Absolutely board chair. That's no problem with us at all.
>> Okay. Of course. Okay. >> Okay. All right. Thank you, Mr. Pissy. Okay. All right. Madam Secretary. >> Yes, sir. >> So, our next available date is October 14th. >> Okay. Does that work for every council, all council involved?
>> Let me just check with my professionals. >> Okay. >> All right. That's acceptable. >> Okay. Council, Mr. Beleliy. Uh, that's good. >> Okay. All right. So, for anyone here present, for anyone listening at home, this case will be uh continued on
Tuesday, October 14th with a meeting beginning at 7 p.m. here in council chamber. Um, if you received a notice of this meeting, you will not receive another notice. This will serve as your notice. Uh, thank you for everyone for coming out. uh on a late summer evening and uh this case will be carried on the
14th. Uh Madam Secretary, any other business come before the board? >> That'll be all this evening. >> All right. Seeing none, can I get a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Uh motion made by Mr. Schneider, second by Mr. Patel. All in favor signify by
saying I. I nay. The eyes have it. Board stands adjourn. Thank you, sir.