Millburn Zoning Board Greenlights Buddhist Center Despite Parking Concerns

In a notable development at the recent Millburn Town Zoning Board meeting, members granted a use variance for the establishment of a Dharma Chakra Buddhist center on Main Street, in a space previously challenged by parking and flooding issues. The decision followed extensive deliberation over the center’s impact on local parking availability and its adherence to contractual parking lease terms.

Representative Anthony Silla presented the proposal for the Buddhist center, outlining the intended use of the property for meditation, teaching meditation techniques, and Buddhist classes. Frank Hall, an architect and member of the center, detailed the volunteer-run nature of the center and its community service orientation, explaining that the center would provide meditation classes and spiritual teachings. He further elaborated on the daily activities, membership size, and the center’s impact on parking and class attendee numbers.

The center’s representatives anticipated holding events on certain Saturdays, with an estimated attendance of 15 to 25 people, and larger events twice a year with up to 30 attendees. Regular Sunday study programs were expected to draw 10 to 12 participants. With 28 parking spaces available on weekends, the center did not foresee a need for additional parking. They highlighted a 15-year tenure at Millburn mall.

Discussions also addressed the lease and parking arrangements. The center has a parking lease for the site that includes specific usage hours and is considering options for additional parking if necessary. While there was no finalized agreement, the center had approached a church about parking possibilities. The center emphasized a non-profit approach, focusing on class attendance rather than profitability.

A licensed engineer and planner gave testimony on the property, spotlighting its position within the R8 residential multifamily zone and its proximity to a flood plain. The engineer stressed the heavily regulated nature of the property due to flood plain restrictions and described the substantial improvement clause that limits new multifamily housing development. Additionally, the engineer’s qualifications and review materials were discussed.

Furthermore, the meeting addressed the building’s layout and history, including the challenges faced by previous occupants due to parking limitations and flooding. The applicant proposed converting the vacant space into the Dharma Chakra Buddhist Center, which would function as an instructional school/studio rather than a religious house of worship. The proposed parking layout included angled, tandem, and reserved tenant spaces. Variance relief was contemplated for front yard parking, loading space, and signage within a residential zone. The landscape plan and lighting design were also discussed, with intentions to replace tall vegetation and ensure compliance with lighting standards.

The applicant requested a use variance to allow another non-conforming commercial use to replace the existing one, as well as C variances for parking, loading, and signage, and a waiver for the environmental impact statement. Arguments for the positive criteria highlighted the promotion of public health, general welfare, energy conservation through shared parking, and the site’s suitability for the proposed use. Negative criteria were addressed, with assertions that there would be no substantial detriment to public good or impairment to the master plan and zoning ordinance.

Public opinion during the meeting was mixed, with some audience members expressing concerns about downtown parking impact, especially in the evenings. Suggestions were made to impose parking limits, while others were worried about the parking lease’s stability. Board members appeared divided, balancing support for the center’s use against parking concerns and reliance on the parking lease.

The board also approved a variance for alterations to a garage structure, including lowering the roof and walls, as presented by a professional architect. The changes were deemed non-detrimental to the neighborhood and compliant with the zoning plan.

A separate discussion revolved around a proposed flat roof on another property, where the owner sought approval for a decorative railing. The board debated the roof’s purpose and potential future uses, opting to carry the application to the subsequent meeting for additional consideration.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.
Mayor:
Annette Romano
Zoning Board Officials:
Craig Ploetner, Jessica Glatt, Joe Caulfield, Chandru Harjani, Amy Lawrence, Gary Rosen, Regina Truitt, Pricilla Saraf, Xiaoxuan (Derek) Peng, Robert Simon (Board Attorney), Eileen Davitt (Zoning Officer/Board Secretary)

Receive debriefs about local meetings in your inbox weekly:

Trending meetings
across the country:

Meeting Date
Filter by bodytypes
Agricultural Advisory Committee
Airport Advisory Board
Art and Culture Board
Beach Committee
Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Board of Elections
Board of Health
Borough Council
Building Committee
Cannabis Control Board
Cemetery Commission
Charter Revision Commission
Child and Family Services Board
City Council
City Identity Committee
Code Enforcement Board
College Board of Trustees
Community Appearance Board
Community Preservation Committee
Community Redevelopment Agency
County Council
Disability Advisory Committee
Economic Development Board
Elderly Affairs Board
Electric Advisory Board
Environmental Commission
Financial Oversight Board
Historic Preservation Commission
Housing Authority
Human Relations Committee
Human Resources Committee
Insurance Fund
Land Use Board
Library Board
Licensing Board
Mental Health Commission
Municipal Alliance
Open Space Commission
Oversight and Review Committee
Parent Advisory Board
Parking Authority
Parks and Gardens Commission
Parks Commission
Pension Board
Planning Board
Police Review Board
Port Authority
Property Assessment Board
Public Safety Committee
Recreation Commission
Redevelopment Agency
Rent Control Board
Rent Leveling Board
School Board
Sewerage Authority
Shade Tree Commission
Special Magistrate
Taxation & Revenue Advisory Committee
Tourism Board
Trails Committee
Transportation Board
Utility Board
Value Adjustment Board
Veterans Committee
Water Control Board
Women's Advisory Committee
Youth Advisory Committee
Zoning Board
Filter by County
FL
Bay County
Bradford County
Brevard County
Broward County
Clay County
Duval County
Escambia County
Gulf County
Hendry County
Highlands County
Hillsborough County
Indian River County
Lake County
Lee County
Leon County
Levy County
Liberty County
Manatee County
Marion County
Martin County
Miami-Dade County
Monroe County
Okaloosa County
Orange County
Osceola County
Palm Beach County
Pasco County
Pinellas County
Polk County
Putnam County
Santa Rosa County
Sarasota County
Seminole County
St. Johns County
Taylor County
Volusia County
Walton County
MA
Barnstable County
Berkshire County
Bristol County
Essex County
Franklin County
Hampden County
Hampshire County
Middlesex County
Norfolk County
Plymouth County
Suffolk County
Worcester County
MN
Anoka County
Becker County
Beltrami County
Benton County
Blue Earth County
Brown County
Carver County
Cass County
Chippewa County
Chisago County
Clay County
Cook County
Crow Wing County
Dakota County
Freeborn County
Goodhue County
Grant County
Hennepin County
Isanti County
Itasca County
Kanabec County
Kandiyohi County
Koochiching County
Lac Qui Parle County
Lyon County
Mcleod County
Morrison County
Mower County
Nicollet County
Olmsted County
Pipestone County
Polk County
Ramsey County
Rice County
Scott County
Sherburne County
Sibley County
St Louis County
Stearns County
Steele County
Waseca County
Washington County
Wright County
NJ
Atlantic County
Bergen County
Burlington County
Camden County
Cape May County
Cumberland County
Essex County
Gloucester County
Hudson County
Hunterdon County
Mercer County
Middlesex County
Monmouth County
Morris County
Ocean County
Passaic County
Somerset County
Sussex County
Union County
Warren County
NY
Bronx County
Kings County
New York County
Queens County
Richmond County
TN
Shelby County
Filter by sourcetypes
Minutes
Recording