Lakewood, NJ – An overflow crowd of Jackson residents attended Wednesday’s Zoning Board meeting, protesting a proposed plan to build an all-girls Orthodox Jewish high school.
Join our WhatsApp groupSubscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
APP.com (http://on.app.com/1fM1bO3) reports that Rabbi Ephraim Birnbaum is asking for a variance to existing zoning codes to build the two-story Oros Bais Yaakov High School which will service 400 Orthodox girls.
Current codes prohibit the construction of schools in residential neighborhoods of 1-acre lotted single-family homes.
If granted, the variance will allow Birnbaum to build his school on a 7.5 acre lot located in a residential area of Cross St. on the Jackson/Lakewood line.
Tensions inside the hall were palpable, causing board Chairman Stephen Coztanzo to ask, “Let’s keep our manners and have a civil meeting” prior to the start .
Several Jackson residents, including one Cross St. renter who claimed his current home is planned for demolition by the project, and another, a state EPA employee, who argued the negative effects the project would inflict on the municipality’s septic and well systems, addressed the board.
The board continued the meeting until it meets again next month on November 20, saying it is still awaiting a traffic-impact study on how the school will affect the already-busy Cross St.
Video below by Ausbury Park Press.
The tax costs for busing are paid from where the students reside… This can lead me to believe one of two things…. either the Jackson residents at the meeting who applauded to the nonsensical statement are either ignorant or anti-Semetic.
Let’s be clear hear… This is NOT a residential area. I don’t blame people for not wanting a school in their neighborhood, but when false nonsensical statements are made I have no choice but to think that other “agendas” are in play here.
many thosands of board meetings over building disputes happen all over america, that’s why they are here for, and thats why the courts are here. so grow up VINny Dont make a big story of each dispute.
Bunch of anticemites
I hope it doesn’t turn into another Ramapo.
Everybody is afraid of becoming the “next Lawrence”.
Maybe the residents fears are actually quite legitimate and unrelated to whose school it will be. Schools create a lot of noise, garbage, traffic etc. I wouldn’t want one close by me!