TONIGHT: LAKEWOOD PLANNING BOARD TO CONTINUE REVIEWING PROPOSED BANQUET HALL ORDINANCE. INDUSTRIAL PARK BUSINESS OWNERS URGE RESIDENTS TO SHOW UP AND VOICE OPPOSITION.

When Lakewood's Township Committee introduced  an Ordinance which formally permits catering facilities and banquet halls in schools in all zones where schools are permitted uses (which is everywhere in Lakewood besides for in or adjacent to the senior housing developments), with extremely minimal parking requirements, a number of members of the public submitted public comments by email voicing opposition to the proposed ordinance.

Attorney Rob Shea who is representing an owner of many properties in the industrial park, has penned a letter to all Lakewood residents opposed to the proposed ordinance, urging them to come to tonight's Planning Board meeting - at which time the Board is scheduled to continue reviewing this proposed ordinance - and voice their opposition.

Numerous members of the public submitted to the Township Committee recommendations of specific changes to the proposed ordinance, including eliminating the industrial park from the zoning districts where banquet halls could be permitted as an accessory use to a school, and increasing the parking requirements for banquet halls.

The Township Committee read all the comments from the public, but voted on the ordinance on first reading without taking into account the recommendations from the public.

"Considering the scope of this Ordinance and the impact this Ordinance will have on all zones in Lakewood Township, it is imperative that have your voice heard. We look forward to hearing your objection to the Ordinance during the upcoming Planning Board hearing", the letter states.

The Planning Board meeting begins at 6:00pm at Town Hall, 231 3rd Street. The meeting is open to the public.

As previously reported here on FAA News, industrial park business owners who are being represented by Attorney Rob Shea and Engineer Gordon Gemma, have submitted a comprehensive report to the Township's Planning Board which makes clear the following message: "urge the Township Committee to kill their proposed 'banquet hall in schools' ordinance".

The Township Committee is scheduled to hold a public hearing and final vote on the proposed ordinance at their upcoming meeting on Thursday, December 8th.

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