08-02-2008, 07:27 AM
http://www.freedomforum.org/templates/docu...documentID=3394
N.J. farmers who oppose planned Hindu temple urge zoning rule change
By The Associated Press
10.31.00
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CRANBURY, N.J. â A proposal to construct a Hindu temple in the middle of permanently preserved farmland here has sparked a dispute between farmers and worshippers.
The Langhorne, Pa.-based Chinmaya Mission wants to build a temple on a seven-acre tract off Cranbury Neck Road. Vish Murthi, who lives in West Windsor and teaches a mission youth group, says the barnlike structure would blend in with its agricultural surroundings.
He estimated that the temple would draw about 100 people on the average Sunday, and up to 350 on festival days.
But farmers worry that worshippers will complain about heavy machinery, dust and pesticides. At their request, the township committee has introduced a zoning ordinance that would block the group from building the temple.
Under the proposed ordinance, the group would have to cut the size of its proposed temple and parking lot in half.
While hesitant to criticize, Murthi said the township's action is unfair.
"We were taken in for a rude shock when we heard they wanted to do away with it," Murthi told The Star-Ledger of Newark. "We are mostly gentle folk who want to go about our business."
Stanley Stults, 51, owns 200 acres of preserved farmland near the proposed temple site and said he could not farm with the proposed facility next door.
He fears worshippers would eventually start complaining about dust from the fields and pesticide spraying. Although he is protected by right-to-farm laws, Stults said nuisance lawsuits could end his livelihood. He also worries that laws could change as farmers lose influence in Trenton.
Stults comes from a long line of farmers. His grandfather founded the farm in 1915, and his son and daughter work with him now.
"I hate to say I was here first, but the farmers were here first," he said.
He said accusations that farmers really object to the Hindu culture are wrong.
"Even if it was the First Presbyterian Church of Cranbury, I would feel the same way."
Township committee members also said they were not trying to keep the mission from building in the township as they voted to introduce the ordinance on Oct. 23.
Mayor Alan Danser suggested that a compromise could be reached as the proposal goes through the hearing process.
"We're not trying to slam the door in anybody's face," Danser said.
The property owner, Gordon Tantum, has had trouble selling the land. His planner, John Madden, said Tantum cannot finish the deal until the mission has permission to build.
Madden told the township that it had to be careful how it applied zoning regulations in cases dealing with religious groups.
"When you're dealing with houses of worship, you're dealing with a very specific land use (and) you're touching on constitutional issues of freedom of religion," Madden said. "You have to recognize the special treatment that a church deserves."
N.J. farmers who oppose planned Hindu temple urge zoning rule change
By The Associated Press
10.31.00
Printer-friendly page
CRANBURY, N.J. â A proposal to construct a Hindu temple in the middle of permanently preserved farmland here has sparked a dispute between farmers and worshippers.
The Langhorne, Pa.-based Chinmaya Mission wants to build a temple on a seven-acre tract off Cranbury Neck Road. Vish Murthi, who lives in West Windsor and teaches a mission youth group, says the barnlike structure would blend in with its agricultural surroundings.
He estimated that the temple would draw about 100 people on the average Sunday, and up to 350 on festival days.
But farmers worry that worshippers will complain about heavy machinery, dust and pesticides. At their request, the township committee has introduced a zoning ordinance that would block the group from building the temple.
Under the proposed ordinance, the group would have to cut the size of its proposed temple and parking lot in half.
While hesitant to criticize, Murthi said the township's action is unfair.
"We were taken in for a rude shock when we heard they wanted to do away with it," Murthi told The Star-Ledger of Newark. "We are mostly gentle folk who want to go about our business."
Stanley Stults, 51, owns 200 acres of preserved farmland near the proposed temple site and said he could not farm with the proposed facility next door.
He fears worshippers would eventually start complaining about dust from the fields and pesticide spraying. Although he is protected by right-to-farm laws, Stults said nuisance lawsuits could end his livelihood. He also worries that laws could change as farmers lose influence in Trenton.
Stults comes from a long line of farmers. His grandfather founded the farm in 1915, and his son and daughter work with him now.
"I hate to say I was here first, but the farmers were here first," he said.
He said accusations that farmers really object to the Hindu culture are wrong.
"Even if it was the First Presbyterian Church of Cranbury, I would feel the same way."
Township committee members also said they were not trying to keep the mission from building in the township as they voted to introduce the ordinance on Oct. 23.
Mayor Alan Danser suggested that a compromise could be reached as the proposal goes through the hearing process.
"We're not trying to slam the door in anybody's face," Danser said.
The property owner, Gordon Tantum, has had trouble selling the land. His planner, John Madden, said Tantum cannot finish the deal until the mission has permission to build.
Madden told the township that it had to be careful how it applied zoning regulations in cases dealing with religious groups.
"When you're dealing with houses of worship, you're dealing with a very specific land use (and) you're touching on constitutional issues of freedom of religion," Madden said. "You have to recognize the special treatment that a church deserves."