Chinmaya mission proposes new plan

[news]

Chinmaya mission proposes new plan

Friday, October 26, 2007 10:49 AM EDT
By Sean Ruppert, Staff Writer

CRANBURY — The Township Planning Board is considering an application from the Chinmaya Mission to build an ashram on Cranbury Neck Road, near the Plainsboro border.

The mission wants to build a 15,482-square-foot Hindu house of worship in the southwest corner of the 6.1-acre plot. The ashram will be H-shaped, and a one-way circular driveway will connect the building to Cranbury Neck Road. The current site plan calls for 157 parking spaces, 58 of which will be banked.

Testimony began Oct. 18. The Planning Board will continue hearing the application Nov. 1.

The property was previously used for farming, and currently features and barn and a two and one-half story residence. The Chinmaya plan calls for the demolition of the barn, and the building of the ashram in its place. The residence will be retained for use by a live-in property caretaker, and a free-standing garage will be added.

The mission originally gained approval from the township in 2001 for a similar plan that involved renovating the existing barn on the property, then building an addition onto it in two separate phases. That plan was scrapped however, in part due to the existing barn’s capability to be remodeled into a temple.

To move ahead with the project Chinmaya will need six variances and six design waivers from the Planning Board. The variances include a rear setback of 75 feet where a minimum of 150 feet are required, a side setback of 43 feet where a minimum of 100 feet are required, and a parking lot distance of 13 feet from the building where a minimum of 25 feet are required. Variances will also be needed for having parking between the building and the road; for having impervious coverage of 25.8 percent, when 20 percent is the maximum; and for having a floor area ratio of .062 when the maximum is .06.
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http://www.packetonline.com/articles/2007/10/26/cranbury_press/news/doc4721fc4aee047139157686.prt

[GRRRR]

(inappropriate comment deleted. -- admin)

[Guest]

[Guest]

After the long fight the mission had to purchase this property in the Agricultural Farm section of Cranbury - They want to build such a large building? What happened to their old AGREED upon plan? That is way too big for that area. They need to rethink this decision.

[Jeff M.]

The simple thing is for our planning board to say one word, no. This is way out of character for the town.

There was an agreement in place. If they want to modify it then that is their issue, but we don't have any requirement to agree. There is no legal arguement that will allow them to win. They can always sell the property if the original deal is unacceptable.