The former Temple Beth Or, where a private high school opened, causing controversy, Sept. 2021. (Photo: Daniel Nee)
A day before a judge’s deadline for the private, religious high school found by township officials to be operating illegally to produce a site plan for the property, no documents have been filed.
Officials fielded questions from neighbors on the status of the former Temple Beth Or property on Hendrickson Avenue at a township council meeting Tuesday night. The property was purchased by the Lakewood-based Congregation Kehilos Yisroel (CKY), which is operated by developer David Gluck, who has so far refused to cooperate with township officials and failed to appear at a separate matter in Brick municipal court last week regarding an alleged illegal dormitory doors away from the school. Ultimately, the township was forced to sue Gluck, which kicked off the current round of litigation and resulted in the school being temporarily closed.
A site plan is a document normally submitted during formal planning and zoning procedures that details the use of a property, its dimensions, and proposed changes. Superior Court Judge Craig L. Wellerson ordered CKY to submit a site plan, as required by law, by Oct. 14 and closed the school until the next hearing. By Oct. 13, no plan was presented to officials. Wellerson also ordered a number of safety-related items to be corrected and inspected. There was no indication those issues have been resolved.
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“I don’t think there’s going to be a site plan by tomorrow because there’s no electricity out there,” said Mayor John Ducey.
According to the mayor, out of three structures on the property, one was determined to be unsafe. That determination led to the township notifying Jersey Central Power & Light, which turned off the electricity in all three buildings. It was restored over the weekend to the two buildings that are considered safe.
The former Temple Beth Or property, Brick, N.J., Aug. 2021. (Photo: Daniel Nee)
The former Temple Beth Or property, Brick, N.J., Aug. 2021. (Photo: Daniel Nee)
As for the site plan, there was no sign that a document was forthcoming.
“Usually we get communication from engineers and professionals, and we haven’t seen that,” said Township Attorney Kevin Starkey. “I’m pretty confident it’s not going to be filed tomorrow.”
Neighboring residents were planning a demonstration at town hall Thursday night from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The goal, organizers say, is to thank township officials for their actions on the illegal school and maintain awareness of the activity at the suspected illegal dormitory.
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