Toms River sets special meeting date on Chabad application

Thursday, April 14, 2016 is the new special meeting date the Toms River Zoning Board has set to hear the Chabad Jewish Center's use variance application to operate on a residential street. The meeting will take place in the Auditorium of High School North at 7:30 p.m. to accommodate the large turnout expected.

The meeting reportedly was going to be held next month, on March 31, until some residents expressed concern at this week's Township Council meeting that it would fall during Toms River's spring break when many people would be on vacation.

Rabbi Moshe Gourarie needs a use variance to continue operating the center, due to an amendment to Toms River’s zoning ordinance in 2009, preventing churches in the residential zone where Gourarie’s home is located. The 5,500 square foot home sits on a seven-acre tract.

The rapidly growing Orthodox Jewish community in Lakewood has prompted a number of those families to consider moving outside the Township’s borders.

The Toms River Council on Tuesday approved banning real estate solicitors for five years in two areas in the North Dover section.

Residents of Toms River’s North Dover section, near the Lakewood Border, have complained about aggressive real estate solicitors allegedly harassing them into selling. Toms River and several surrounding towns recently amended their soliciting and pedaling or “No Knock” ordinances to make them stricter.

Signs have been popping up on lawns reading, “Don’t sell. Toms River Strong,” in light of recent events. A petition of nearly 5,000 people opposed to the Gourarie’s application cites concerns about increased traffic.

A number of people also have claimed it’s unfair to allow Gourarie to live the home tax free. A Chabad is a nonprofit organization. Gourarie’s Chabad is the only one in Ocean County.