Church will seek approval to build 500-seat facility
BY TOYNETT HALL
Staff Writer

HOWELL - Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church has applied for permission to build a 500-seat church with a fellowship hall, office and classroom space on a 15-acre parcel at the southwest intersection of Church and Kent roads.

The Planning Board has found the application to be technically complete and ready for processing and the application is expected to be heard when the board meets tonight (Feb. 1) at 7:30 p.m. in the municipal building.

The plan for the church also includes a parking lot with 260 spaces.

Planning Board Engineer Ernest Peters of CME Associates prepared a report on the church's application in July. Peters cited several areas of concern that he said the board should discuss. These include the need for a traffic study; the nature of improvements proposed along Church and Kent roads; the need for 260 parking stalls; designated pick-up and drop-off areas; fencing; and additional items.

Representatives of the applicant are expected to address those concerns when they begin presenting testimony on the application.

The application by Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church has a number of other obstacles to overcome before the complete proposal can be approved. Before any work can be done, outside agencies including the Monmouth County Planning Board, Freehold Soil Conservation District, state Department of Environmental Protection and others must approve one or more aspects of the plan.

Peters said in his report that according to township ordinance, "a house of worship is considered to be a conditional use in the ARE-2 zoning district (where the church is proposed to be built) ... Based on our review, it appears that all the conditional use requirements have been met, although we defer further comment relative to same to the board's planner."

Peters also noted that no variances have been requested and none appear necessary.