Lawrence's BZA grants Temple Israel’s variance

A year after Temple Israel in Lawrence sought a subdivision for a little more than half an acre on its front lawn, the Village of Lawrence Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) granted their variance request on Feb. 16.

The temple first announced its original intent in September 2010 to sell the parcel and two homes the temple owns on Fulton Street to Peninsula Public Library for $2.5 million to $3 million. The library had planned to build a three-story, 30,000-square-foot facility to replace the current Central Avenue facility. However, due to a lack of support, the library terminated the agreement.

Temple representatives and Village of Lawrence officials met to discuss the variance application in late 2010. However, the temple had to file a legal action in May of last year called an Article 78 to compel the village to issue a formal denial letter. The letter, which gives the BZA jurisdiction over the application, was granted later in the year.

A BZA hearing for the application was held on Jan. 11 at the Lawrence Yacht & Country Club. At the hearing, residents who live near the temple expressed their concerns that the neighborhood would be negatively impacted with a large structure but that they would not be opposed if the temple sold the land for residential use.

The BZA tabled its the decision until last Thursday when they unanimously voted to grant the temple its variance so long as it is marketed for residential use, according to Garrett Gray, Temple Israel’s attorney.

“The land was appraised at $1.2 million so that it is what we’re looking for,” Gray said. “Since the last hearing we have already begun marketing it for residential use and we’re confident that we will find a buyer.”

The temple originally planned to sell a portion its front lawn to make up for a loss of revenue due to declining membership over the past several years. The temple — the only reform congregation remaining in the Five Towns — once had 1,500 members and now has 235 members.

Temple Israel President James Rotenberg said the property would be limited to a single-family residential use. “We are very pleased,” he said about the decision.

Seymour Trepel, a 35-year Fulton Street resident, said the temple being granted a variance for residential use is a good decision. “It lets (the temple) off the hook and doesn’t destroy the neighborhood,” he said. “It’s the best thing because you don’t know what the future will be and it protects the Fulton Street from becoming a parking lot.”