Howell Township leaders address concerns over houses of worship in neighborhoods
They worry about overcrowded streets, limited parking, and other disruptions to the quiet neighborhood.
More Stories
Howell Township locals who are speaking out in force to stop homes in their neighborhoods from being converted into a house of worship.
They worry about overcrowded streets, limited parking, and other disruptions to the quiet neighborhood.
"In the last couple years everything has changed here and has been put on this council’s shoulders,” said Howell Township Mayor John Leggio.
Most of the neighborhood homes sit on an acre of land or less. At this size, none would be allowed to be converted into a religious use without a variance or ordinance change.
Town Hall was packed with residents Tuesday night after word circulated the council may consider changing the zoning from a minimum of five acres required for a house of worship down to two acres.
“I live in Howell. Keep the ordinance the way it is. Five acres. Minimum,” said one resident during public comment.
“The overall message is clear. People feel defeated. Many are planning on leaving at first opportunity or wish they could,” said another Howell Township local.
Town Manager John Gross says after neighboring towns amended ordinances to properties of as little as just one acre, they wrote to the Federal Department of Justice and the New Jersey Attorney General for guidance. Other towns like Jackson and Toms River faced religious discrimination lawsuits which forced them to lower those numbers.
“We hear you. And we just need to do everything in this building legally because we don’t want to get our town wrapped up in a major lawsuit like some surrounding towns have gotten and believe me the Orthodox community is watching,” said Mayor Leggio.
Gross says they simply want to get ahead of any potential legal issues as they navigate the changes coming throughout Howell.
Gross tells News 12 since taking the manager's position there have been no formal requests for houses of worship, and if the Department of Justice determines the current ordinance doesn't meet their standards, then, they'll address it.
