Zoning jihad continues. via Mosque plan in Liberty Corner facing new issues – New Jersey Hills Newspaper: Bernardsville News
BERNARDS TWP. – Revised plans for more
parking capacity created new issues for a proposed mosque in Liberty
Corner as Planning Board members voiced concerns about drainage and
screening on Tuesday, Aug. 6.
The Islamic Society of Basking Ridge
(ISBR), which is seeking to build the mosque, made several changes to
the plans after the board voted on June 5 to require 107 parking stalls
instead of the initial proposal for 50.
The revised plans would provide room for
107; however, the ISBR asked that only 70 be provided initially, with
the remaining 37 to be “banked” in a grassy area that would be paved
when the need arises.
While the board accepted the idea, there
were questions about how the project could handle water runoff on an
increased amount of blacktop.
Project engineer Adman Khan presented an
unconventional plan in which much of the runoff, rather than being
detained and slowly released, would instead be absorbed into the ground.
While acknowledging that the site’s soil
is largely impermeable, he said absorption would be achieved in one area
by replacing the soil with sand.
But that drew skepticism.
“I’m not seeing how an infiltration system will work in this area,” said board member Kevin Orr.
Board Engineer Thomas Quinn said he had “a
fundamental problem” with the idea. He said the sand pit was likely “to
get soupy over time.”
Board member Mary Pavlini, who also serves
on the Township Committee, said excess water would spread to
neighboring properties “if it’s stored and won’t infiltrate.”
The planners also grappled with how the extra parking space could be screened from homes on either side.
After nearly three hours of testimony, the
hearing – the ninth on the proposal since Aug. 7, 2012 – was carried to
either of two dates.
It will resume at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept.
3, if another currently scheduled development proposal is postponed.
Otherwise, it will be heard at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8. In either
case, the hearing will be held at the township library at 32 South Maple
Ave.
The ISBR is seeking to raze a house at 124
Church St., located on 4.3 acres roughly opposite the Liberty Corner
Firehouse, and build a two-story, 4,250-square-foot facility for 142
worshippers.
While township zoning allows houses of
worship on residentially zoned land of three or more acres, local
residents have voiced concerns about the potential impact on their
neighborhood. Lawn signs bearing the message, “Preserve Liberty Corner,”
have popped up around town.
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