Paramus zoning board unanimously rejects Hindu temple expansion. Here's what was said

Stephanie Noda, NorthJersey.com
Updated ·3 min read
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A proposal to expand a Hindu temple in Paramus was rejected by the town Thursday night, after more than a year of hearings during which the applicant twice reduced its proposal to try to win over critics.

The proposal by the Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul temple would have knocked down the existing cultural center and two single-family homes on Spring Valley Road and replaced them with a two-story building with a basement.

The Paramus Board of Adjustment denied the project in a 7-0 vote at the Thursday night meeting. Twenty-four residents spoke out against the plan during the meeting's public comment session, citing various concerns that were brought up at past meetings, such as traffic, parking, flooding and the height and size of the building.

Resident Cliff Cibelli said the size and scope of the proposed building was one of the main issues he and many other residents had with the proposal.

"It's akin to the applicant trying to fit a size 10 foot into a size 7 shoe," said Cibelli.

Resident Keri Greene said during the public comment that there is an active religious congregation practicing at the site and denying the variances being requested would not deny them of their ability to practice their religion. She called the existing building a "wonderful cultural center" but the expansion would be "far too big."

"It will destroy our community," said Greene. "It will overshadow us figuratively and literally."

Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul Hindu Temple in Paramus. The congregation has applied for permission to knock it down and replace it with a larger facility, but some residents raised concerns about the size of the project.
Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul Hindu Temple in Paramus. The congregation has applied for permission to knock it down and replace it with a larger facility, but some residents raised concerns about the size of the project.

Before the vote, a few board members expressed their concerns about the proposal, including the building size.

"You didn't refine it far enough as far as I'm concerned," said Chairman Steve Sullivan. "You had a vacant lot. You already told us you had the square footage to do whatever and you couldn't meet the requirements for the Master Plan of the borough of Paramus. I guess I find that disappointing."

Board member Abdo Al Yousefy said he was "disappointed" since he felt the board and the applicant talked over the past year about their concerns, but the applicant didn't listen. He said he feels the applicant could "do better" and make an application that follows the zoning ordinances in town.

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Before the vote and board discussion, Carmine Alampi, an attorney representing the temple, gave a closing statement, saying he felt his client was "very receptive" to the criticism that was put forth by the board and the public, which helped them make a "much better application."

The congregation sought 11 variances for the project, which at 36 feet would be taller than local zoning would normally allow. The project also requires variances for impervious coverage, as well as fewer parking spaces than is standard and a reduced buffer between the temple and its neighbors.

Early last year, the congregation applied to build a facility covering 19,500 square feet. That was later cut to 18,000 after multiple meetings at which neighbors and board members raised concerns about the size.

In March, Alampi said the footprint would shrink by another 15%, or about 3,000 square feet, after the congregation agreed to eliminate or reduce the size of several rooms. The building's interior would be cut by 9,000 square feet across all its levels.

If the proposal had been approved, a 300-year-old tree on the property would have been slated to be torn down. The congregation had not reconfigured its plans despite appeals from a local resident about the tree's historic value.

A planned dining room in the basement would have had 144 seats and the main worship area on the first floor would have seated 256 people if the proposal had been approved. There would have also been 132 parking spots.

Seven dorm rooms for youth activities on the second floor were removed from the plans during the board’s March meeting, although two religious changing rooms remained. Board members and professionals questioned the necessity of the dorm rooms at a hearing last November.

Stephanie Noda is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: noda@northjersey.com

Twitter: @snoda11

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Paramus zoning board unanimously rejects Hindu temple expansion