BERNARDS TWP. - A controversial proposal to build a mosque in Liberty Corner was denied by the Planning Board in a 4-2 vote before an overflow crowd at town hall Tuesday night, ending a review that lasted more than three years.
The proposal was faulted as failing to provide sufficient buffering and screening next to a home, having inadequate stormwater management plans, having an unsafe traffic circulation plan, and failing to meet fire safety standards.
The final vote drew applause from a standing-room-only crowd of about 140 people.  Another 35 or so people watched the proceedings on a monitor in the nearby conference room, and at least 50 other people had come to town hall but were advised to leave and watch a live broadcast on local cable television.
Ali Chaudry, president of the Islamic Society of Basking Ridge (ISBR), which sought to build the mosque, said moments after the meeting that "the board has made a decision and we are going to review it with our legal team."
The ISBR sought to raze a house on 4.3 acres at 124 Church St., located roughly opposite the Liberty Corner Firehouse, and build a 4,250-square-foot facility for up to 142 worshippers.  There were to be 107 parking stalls.
At the time of the application filing, township zoning deemed houses of worship a permitted use in residential zones.  But with the site located between two homes, and the mosque to hold five daily prayer sessions and a Sunday school, residents voiced concerns about the impact to their neighborhood.
"I'm so glad the vote was so strong in opposition, and I'm very happy about the turnout," Loretta Quick of Church Street, whose home is immediately east of the ISBR property, said as the meeting let out.  "Never did I think this decision was in the bag at all, though to me it was obvious."
Robert Simon, a Warren Township attorney hired by a neighborhood opposition group, was similarly pleased with the board's decision.  "It was clearly a thorough review of all the evidence," he said.
Voting to deny preliminary site plan approval were Board Chairman Jeffrey Plaza, Board Vice Chair Jodi Alper, and board members Barbara Kleinert and Kippy Piedici.  Voting for an approval but with significant changes to the plans were board members Mary Pavlini and Randy Santoro.