Source: My Central Jersey
Plans to build a Hindu temple on Cortelyous Lane have been greatly scaled back to comply with an ordinance enacted last year that places restrictions on churches and schools built on Franklin's scenic corridors.
The revised plans will be presented at tonight's Board of Adjustment meeting.
Kamlesh Desai of Hindu American Temple first submitted plans in 2007 to build a worship center on Cortelyous Lane near South Middlebush Road. The 4.63-acre site, close to the Six Mile Run Reservoir, formerly housed a nursery and greenhouse. Residents opposed the plan due to the building size, environmental effects and lack of aesthetic conformity.
An ordinance adopted last August states that no place of worship or school with more than 5,000 square feet will be permitted to face or have vehicular access to a street classified as a scenic roadway, or a roadway less than 18 feet wide — except for those roadways under state or county jurisdiction.
The initial plan for Kamlesh Desai called for a 24,073-square-foot house of worship. The plan has been scaled back to 4,998 square feet, zoning officer Vincent Dominach said.