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Community Corner

Planning Board Approves Temple Sholom Move to Lake Avenue

The reform Jewish Congregation plans to build a new temple at 1925 Lake Avenue.

The Scotch Plains Planning Board unanimously voted Monday evening to approve the site plans for a new synagogue to be built on Lake Avenue in Scotch Plains.

The Reform Jewish Congregation of Temple Sholom, founded in 1913 in Plainfied, has been renting space in the Fanwood Presbyterian Church since 2003. In 2007, the congregation purchased property at 1925 Lave Avenue in Scotch Plains, with plans to build a new synagogue.

Monday night, the process moved one step further along. 

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"As unbelievable as it may seem, the SP Planning Board approved the site plan for Temple Sholom," says Steve Saltzman, congregation president. "And not only did they pass it, they did it unanimously!"

There were more than 100 members of the congregation at the meeting showing their support. "Everyone was totally and completely thrilled and ecstatic," Saltzman says, "Not only did they approve it, and unanimously, but when the individual members of the board spoke, they complimented our professional team for the well-organized, excellent presentation."

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The presentation lasted less than two hours, wrapping up around 9:30p.m. Planning Board Chairwoman Paulette Coronato said, "This was the single best presentation I have seen in all of my years. If all applications that came before us were as professionally presented, it would make being a volunteer on a planning or zoning board very easy." Coronato has almost 20 years experience sitting on the Planning Board and also the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

An unoccupied house currently stands on the five-and-a-half acre property, Saltzman says, which the congregation will demolish. The Temple plans to build a 10,000-square-foot structure, though exact architectural plans are still in progress. 

Prior to the meeting, Saltzman said the congregation has worked very hard to make the building and site plan fit the character of the neighborhood. He understands why some neighbors are opposed to the construction, as several came out Monday night to voice concerns over parking and traffic. 

"These are all very normal concerns," Saltzman says, "but traffic studies showed it will have a minimal impact on the street." He adds that, "this is not a catering hall. We will not be renting it to outsiders.

The next step for the congregation to reach their $2 million capital campaign. Saltzman says about 75-percent of the money has been raised thus far.

The Temple will work with an architectural firm to create building plans, hire a construction manager, and then submit the final plans to the township, Saltzman said. He expects at least another year before the building starts, but says the current house on the property will demolished "sooner rather than later."

 

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