office@summitjcc.org (908) 273-8130
|
|||||
| 67 Kent Place Boulevard, Summit, NJ 07901 office@summitjcc.org (908) 273-8130 |
|||||
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Room to Soar Major Breakthrough for Room To Soar
As you’re probably aware, the favorable decision we received from Superior Court last fall was not appealed by our neighbors. At long last, we have the zoning approval we need to proceed with our expansion.
What happens next?
The Room To Soar Steering, Financial and Construction Committees met recently to determine next steps in our process:
· Our architect is adjusting our plan to reduce construction costs
· We plan to invite several other contractors to bid on the project
· We are discussing financing options until we can sell the house next door to the SJCC and receive all the pledges made by congregants
· We are planning additional fundraising activities, many of which will be directed at members who joined the SJCC after we purchased the property
· Our attorney is working with the City of Summit to obtain our building permit.
When will we break ground?
We are actually hoping to begin work on the project this summer. Hard to believe after all these years of planning, negotiating and seeking approval, but we are really almost there.
Please continue to read The Chronicle, visit our website and watch your e-mail for news about Room To Soar as it becomes available. And don’t hesitate to contact our Room To Soar co-chairs, Julie Schwarzwald and Richard Barron, if you have any questions.
_________________________________________________ In other words, we have finally received the zoning approval necessary to proceed with our property expansion project. And the neighbors are no longer eligible to appeal this approval.
In the weeks to come, the Room To Soar executive committee will meet to determine next steps, including selection of a builder, possible additional fundraising, and fine tuning of plans.
We are at last on our way to fulfilling our congregational dream of a facility that will truly give us Room To Soar educationally, socially, and spiritually. Watch your e-mail, the SJCC website, and The Chronicle for more information as it becomes available. And please contact Richard Barron or Julie Schwarzwald with any questions you may have.
Our recent approval from the Summit Zoning Board has been appealed by several neighbors. The appeal process can be lengthy – approximately 6-12 months – but there is much we are doing in the interim. Committee volunteers Jeff Levine and Jamie Block are meeting with our architect and various prospective contractors to determine how we can reduce costs. Our Usage/Design Committee under the leadership of Lisa Walzer has met to put a few finishing touches on our design. And the Room To Soar Steering Committee will be meeting to analyze our finances and plan additional fundraising efforts.
Watch your e-mail and visit this site for more news as it becomes available.
__________________________________________________ YES! The Summit Zoning Board has approved our application By the narrowest of margins, the Summit Zoning Board approved our expansion plan Monday night, December 15, 2008. The proceedings were marked by concerned comments from numerous neighbors but also by positive testimony from two Summit ministers and congregant Jane Greenblatt who lives within 200 feet of the SJCC.
The 5-2 vote (5 votes are required for approval) enables us to continue working toward the fruition of our long-time dream. We'll be in touch shortly with further details of what comes next in the months to come.
Happy Chanukah!
Richard Barron
_______________________________________ Zoning Board Meets on SJCC Expansion on December 10th and plans to vote on SJCC expansion at Monday, December 15th session Our meeting last night (December 10, 2008) with the Summit Zoning Board went far into the night with testimony from our engineer and planner, as well as our next door neighbor and a planner hired by him and his attorney.
Non-congregant neighbors will have the opportunity to make statements at the next hearing on Monday night, December 15th, at 8:30 PM. Congregants will not have the opportunity to speak because, in the opinion of the Board's lawyer, we are already represented by an attorney. However, we hope to have clergy from several local churches make statements on our behalf.
At the end of these proceedings, the Board will discuss the issues among themselves and vote to accept or reject our application. It's important to show visible support for the project.
The meeting is at Summit City Hall, December 15 at 8:30 PM. Please try to attend.
__________________________________________ The Zoning Board has scheduled our next hearing on October 29 at City Hall. Congregants, especially Summit residents, are invited to attend. In fact, so many congregants attended the July 28 meeting that the proceeding was moved to a larger room. To review a revised model that reflects our latest plan, stop by the Morris Avenue entrance of the SJCC. And please don't hesitate to direct any questions to Richard Barron, Julie Schwarzwald, or Lew Krulwich.
|
