GCU contests denial of plan in Lakewood
BY LARRY HLAVENKA JR.
Staff Writer

LAKEWOOD - A recent decision by the Planning Board to reject an application filed by Georgian Court University is headed for a courtroom showdown.

The university filed an application to construct a 66,000-square-foot sports complex, new fields and a parking area at its Lakewood Avenue campus.

The university has responded to the rejection of the application by filing a lawsuit against the Planning Board. The university claims the rejection of the application is unwarranted because no variances from township ordinances were requested and because opponents of the plan cited potential traffic issues as a reason why the application should be denied.

In New Jersey, traffic concerns cannot be used as a solitary reason to deny an application.

The university's plan included a new entrance on Ninth Street, which already has a significant volume of traffic from a neighboring rabbinical college. That aspect of the plan concerned some residents and board members.

Georgian Court University has retained attorney Grace C. Bertone to fight the denial.

According to the lawsuit, the board's planner and engineer reviewed the development plan and the board members' vote is inconsistent with the professionals' reports and recommendations.

Planning Board Vice Chairman Michael Neiman and board members Mitch Dolobowsky, Aisik Akerman, Yechiel Herzl, Enrique Percal and Township Committeeman Menashe Miller, who sits on the board, voted against the application. Planning Board Chairman Stanley Banas and board members John Franklin and Patrick Gatton voted in favor of the university's development plan.

Planning Board attorney John Jackson did not return a telephone call seeking comment.