Fellowship Chapel, the site of a proposed school, at 170 Duchess Lane, Brick, N.J. (Photo: Shorebeat)
A controversial application before the Brick Township’s zoning board that would allow a group to operate a school inside a church surrounded by residential homes is expected to enter its final stretch Thursday night, assuming it is not postponed after a slew of fits and starts that has dragged out the application process for over a year.
The application requests permission for Fellow Chapel, a non-denominational Christian church, to lease its premises for a school use. The “school,” in this case, would be leased by Liberty School Association, a group that provides a congregate setting for home-school children to learn together. Testimony, however, has been unclear as to whether Liberty is a private school, a religious-based school, or a home-school cooperative – all of which come with varying legal definitions and requirements. Neighbors have retained attorney Edward Liston to present their objections to the application, which consist of concerns over traffic and parking, as well as the fact that the school use could eventually carry over to another property owner if the church were to be sold.
Fellowship Chapel is completely surrounded by a residential neighborhood on Duchess Lane, heightening the long-term concerns of nearby residents.
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According to a copy of the meeting agenda, the school application is the only item that will be considered at the meeting. The last time the hearing was conducted, it was expected that the next appearance would end in a vote on the matter, however there have been numerous postponements and cancellations in between. Previous meetings had been held and scheduled for Feb. 21, 2024; May 1, 2024; June 10, 2024; Aug. 12, 2024; October 1, 2024 and the last cancellation on Jan. 27, 2025.
Since the application requires the issuance of a use variance, a supermajority of board members would need to vote in favor of the proposal in order for it to pass.
The hearing will resume Thursday, March 13 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium at Civic Plaza, 270 Chambers Bridge Road. The Civic Plaza site was selected to host the meeting since its capacity is larger than the municipal courtroom where most hearings and held. A large number of residents are expected to attend the meeting.
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