Readington Zoning Board Unanimously Rejects Hindu Temple Application

July 18, 2008

Author: Walter O'Brien

Source: MyCentralJersey.com

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080718/NEWS/80718028

After more than two years of public hearings, the application for construction of a Hindu temple here has been unanimously rejected.

Yesterday, the township Board of Adjustment denied a variance and preliminary site plan for the CharDham Hindu Temple proposed for 25A Coddington Road based on the town's land-use rules, and on doubts about the applicant's credibility.

The CharDham Hindu Temple's prospective priest, Yogendra Bhatt, has spent many hours in front of the board accompanied by attorney Lloyd Tubman, interpreters to aid his English language skills, and supporting experts to build his house of worship on the Coddington Road plot. The proposed plans have been sidetracked by neighborhood concerns, contradictory testimony and successful rebuttals from Bhatt's former business partners at temples in Chicago and Florida, as well as differences with the town's master plan.

See also: Hinduism, Zoning