Church will seek approval for building
BY TOYNETT HALL
Staff Writer

HOWELL - New Beginnings Christian Fellowship Inc. of Brick Township will seek municipal approval to build a 15,000-square-foot house of worship on Lakewood-Allenwood Road.

The church, which currently operates out of a teen center on Brick Boulevard in neighboring Brick Township, is seeking more space due to its large congregation, according to information provided by attorney Todd Cohen, who will represent the church before the Planning Board.

"Right now they are renting and they want a home of their own," he said.

According to a report prepared by Planning Board engineer Ernest J. Peters, the building is proposed to contain areas dedicated to the following uses: sanctuary, lobby, multipurpose room, offices, classroom, nursery, arcade and lounge, bookstore, kitchen and restrooms.

The plan for the church also includes a parking lot with 84 spaces.

The Planning Board is expected to hear the application on May 17.

According to the engineer's report, the applicant's representatives will have to explain "the overall operation of the site including, but not limited to, various usage of the building rooms, especially the multipurpose room; hours of operation for the various uses/rooms, more specifically will separate uses be occurring simultaneously, etc."

The applicant will also be obligated to discuss the "adequacy of proposed parking given the various uses proposed within the church; the interior site circulation, especially at the loading/drop-off area; traffic impacts of the development" and other items.

In addition to obtaining local Planning Board approval, the applicant will also have to gain approval from outside agencies. According to the engineer's report, the Monmouth County Planning Board, Monmouth County Board of Health, Freehold Soil Conservation District, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Howell Utilities Department and Howell Shade Tree Commission will all have to give their stamp of approval for all plans to be finalized.