NOW THAT THE TOWNSHIP PERMITS MORE BANQUET HALLS, COUNTY OFFICIALS ARE MONITORING TO ENSURE THAT TRAFFIC IMPACT IS CONSIDERED

Following Lakewood Township's adoption of an Ordinance which will permit many additional banquet halls to be built in the township, Ocean County officials have taken meaningful steps aiming to ensure that the traffic impact of banquet halls is properly considered.

Back in July 2021, Bnos Devora received Site Plan approval from Lakewood Township's Planning Board for construction of a new two-story, 232,903 sq feet, wedding hall and girls high school building, adjacent to their existing elementary school building.

The plans include a parking lot with 366 spaces. The parking lot will have numerous driveways.

Curb already exists along Oak Street. Sidewalk does not yet exist but is proposed with this application.

The project includes numerous site improvements including utilities, storm water management facilities, site lighting, street lighting, and comprehensive landscaping.

Prior to voting to approve the application, the Board received a number comments from members of the public that the Township's ordinances do not permit banquet halls in schools. The Board chose to consider banquet halls a permitted use, and approved the application.

Site clearing for the project first began in July.

The project recently received initial Ocean County Planning Board approval as well - with contingencies aiming to ensure traffic impact of the banquet hall is properly considered.

County officials conditioned the approval on the applicant "analyze the Oak Street and New Hampshire Avenue intersection to determine impacts to County facilities during peak hours and also during off-peak multi-function hall events, as this is one of many halls in the area creating traffic peak outside typical peak hours... Construction shall not commence until all conditions have been met."

As previously reported here on FAA News, following a lawsuit filed against Beis Reuven Kaminetz for failing to advertise in their legal notice to the neighbors that they were planning to include a banquet hall in their school building, despite Township officials turning a blind eye to the issue, Ocean County officials have learned of the issue, and are now keeping a more watchful eye on applications for schools in Lakewood.

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