Help Preserve South Middlebush Scenic Corridor

To be sent out to 2,565 signers of our petition, "Help Preserve South Middlebush Scenic Corridor": I realize the Franklin Zoning Board has already voted on it, but I wanted to share this great news article about our petition published in MyCentralJersey on August 27, 2021. And many thanks to news reporter Mike Deak for writing this wonderful article! I have also copied and pasted the article here: Two Hindu temples proposed in Franklin face opposition
Mike Deak
MyCentralJersey.com
https://bit.ly/33UZ8qX
FRANKLIN (Somerset) – A petition has gathered more than 2,300 signatures opposing the construction of two Hindu temples on South Middlebush Road.
Dada Bhagwan Vignan Institute and Sai Datta Mandir want to build the temples on either side of South Middlebush Road near Jacques and Cortelyous lanes.
The township Zoning Board of Adjustment is scheduled to continue hearing the Dada Bhagwan Vignan Institute application on Sept. 2 while the Sai Datta Mandir plan is on the board's agenda for Sept. 9.
Township resident James Johnston, who has mounted the petition drive, told the Somerset County Board of Commissioners earlier this week, that the "pristine" area, part of a scenic corridor, is zoned for agricultural use.
"We're not discriminating against anybody," Johnston told the commissioners. "We love all religions."
An architectural rendering of the proposed Dada Bhagwan Nignan Institute.
The Tranquility Protection Alliance of Franklin is also opposing the two projects.
The petition says the construction "will result in the decimation of a forested ecosystem" and create pollution through increased stormwater runoff.
The petition also says the projects create a "safety hazard" by vehicles entering and exiting the sites onto "heavily traveled two-lane" Middlebush Road.
The property is also near the preserved 80-acre Snyder's Farm.
Dada Bhagwan Vignan Institute, 630 South Middlebush Road, is proposing to build a 21,083-square-foot house of worship on a 15.96-acre lot on the eastern side of the road, several hundred feet south of Cortelyous Lane. The existing two-story home will remain on the property as a residence for clergy.
A variance is needed because the property, a third open field and two-thirds wooded, is located in an agricultural zone. Plans call for 88 trees to be removed, but 107 new trees will be planted.
The temple has agreed to construct a 10-foot berm to separate it from Snyder's Farm
Across the street, at 583 South Middlebush Road, Sai Datta Mandir is proposing a 28,970-square-foot house of worship on a vacant 24.83-acre lot, several hundred feet south of Jacques Lane.
The house of worship, about half the size of a football field, will contain a sitting area for prayer as well as areas for a warming kitchen, dining area and gift shop.
A use variance is needed because the lot is also in an agricultural zone. The plan calls for 203 parking spaces when 149 are required based on the size of the 2,226-square-foot prayer hall.
Both sites are also within the township's Middlebush Road Scenic Corridor and both applications must comply with the requirements of the corridor regulations.
Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com
Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.