The most focus of the meeting was the proposed expansion of the Congregation Israel synagogue located at 339-347 Mountain Avenue. Representing the applicant, an attorney outlined the need for the expansion, citing the growing number of children in the congregation and the limitations of the current facility built in the 1970s. The expansion plans include adding a two-story building, internal renovations, and demolishing two houses owned by the synagogue to create additional parking spaces. The proposal also involves a minor subdivision to adjust the rear lot line of an adjacent property on Pit Road, which will remain a single-family residence to prevent its use as a parking lot or cut-through for synagogue traffic.

The synagogue’s president, Dr. Josh Smo, emphasized that the expansion is necessary to accommodate the current membership, especially the 200 children who frequently disrupt services due to the lack of adequate space. He stressed that the expansion is not intended to increase the number of members but to provide better facilities for existing members. The expansion includes more classrooms, a multi-purpose room, a rabbi’s office, and additional bathrooms.

The application requests several variances and waivers, including those for lot and building coverage, parking spaces, loading spaces, driveway access, and landscaping. The synagogue is also seeking to consolidate multiple lots into one and to manage stormwater and sewage effectively to prevent off-site impacts on neighbors. The plan includes measures to address community concerns, such as increased fencing and landscaping for privacy, improved traffic flow with an adjusted entrance, and directed lighting to minimize intrusion.

The Planning Board also discussed other applications briefly. A resolution for Drip Tax, a cannabis delivery service, was approved without much debate. Two site plan waivers for AT&T were swiftly handled, with no public opposition. An application for Jersey Mike’s preliminary and final site plan was postponed to the next meeting on September 12, 2024.