UPPER TOWNSHIP LAND USE BOARD
August 6, 2026 at 6:00 P.M.
PLEASE take notice that Union Chapel By the Sea, (“Applicant”) has filed an application together with supporting materials (“Application”) with the Upper Township Zoning Board (“Board”), seeking amended preliminary and final site approval and associated variances pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70d and N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70(c) for the construction of a two (2) story accessory structure that will be 2,500 square feet in area and thirty two feet (32’) in height. The proposed accessory structure will serve as a maintenance garage (ground floor) and all purpose room (second floor). The Applicant was previously granted a D(1) use variance approval along with preliminary and major final site plan with associated bulk variances preliminary approval (collectively “Prior Approval”). The Prior Approval was granted by the Board via Resolution PA-07-2023 adopted by the Board on June 8, 2023 and approved a Church building of 14,125 square feet, along with the proposed creation of three (3) residential, affordable units on the property, along with associated parking (49 spaces) and supportive infrastructure. The Prior Approval was then amended by Resolution BA 12-2024 (adopted by the Board on October 2, 2024)(the “Amended Approval”), which Amended Approval reduced the size of the Church, eliminated the proposed residential uses on the property, and granted other, associated relief.
The property that is the subject of the Application consists of approximately 8.5 acres and is located on properties designated on the Upper Township (“Township”) Tax Maps Block 600 Lots 14.01, 14.02, 15 & 39.01 (the “Property”). The Property is located at Route 9 South & Stagecoach Road. The Property is the (R) Residential Zoning District and the (MTCD) Marmora Town Center District. This Notice is being provided in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40:55D-12.
In connection with the Prior Approval and continuing with the Amended Approval, the Board granted certain variance and waiver relief from the requirements of the Township zoning code that will be maintained for the current Application, including: (i) a use variance to permit the proposed use of a church in the MTCD zone, where a church is not a permitted nonresidential use (§20-4.20(c)2; (ii) §20-4.20(e)1(a): a variance to permit the proposed front yard setback of 149.5 feet, where a maximum front yard setback of 0 feet is required (§20-4.20(c)2); (iii) a variance to permit 49 parking spaces, where a minimum of 50 parking spaces is required (§20-5.7(b)19); (iv) a waiver from providing curbing along the proposed off-street parking and access driveways (§20-5.7(a)2); (v) a waiver to permit the proposed stone access drive (§20-.20(g)3); and (vi) a waiver to permit the proposed vinyl fence trash enclosure in lieu of a masonry wall.
With the present Application the Applicant proposes to continue with all previously granted relief and additional relief pursuant to: (i) N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70(d)(1) (use variance as the Church use is not permitted in the applicable zone); (ii) N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70(d)(2)(expansion of a non-conforming use as the construction of an additional structure is expanding the non-permitted Church use) and/or (iii) N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70(d)(6) or N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70(c)(2) (height variance as the proposed structure is 32 feet in height when accessory structures in the applicable zoning district are limited to 20 feet in height) if the above-described additional relief is determined by the Board or the Board professionals to be necessary.
Although not currently proposed, upon further review by the Board and its professionals, the Application may also require additional variances, submission waivers, design waivers, exceptions and/or waivers from the requirements of the Township zoning code and/or other approvals as may be necessary to permit approval of the Application as submitted or with such changes as may be requested or accepted by the Board. This notice is to advise you that such additional variance and/or waiver relief may be requested by the Applicant at the time of the hearing.
Please take note all documents related to the applications are available online at www.monroetownshipnj.org or you may view the documents in the office of the Zoning Board during normal business hours at the Township Municipal Building, 2100 Tuckahoe Road
Petersburg, NJ 08270, ten (10) days prior to the hearing date.
A public hearing on the Application will be conducted before the Board at the Township Municipal Building, 2100 Tuckahoe Road, Petersburg, NJ 08270 on August 6, 2026 at 6:00 pm, at which time all parties in interest may appear at the public hearing and be heard concerning the Application and all matters pertaining thereto.
Further take notice that the Board may, at its discretion, adjourn, postpone, or continue the said hearing from time to time, and you are notified that you should make inquiry of the secretary of the Board concerning such adjournments, postponements or continuations.
Dated: July 21, 2026 Applicant: Union Chapel By the Sea
By: Richard J. Hoff, Jr., Esq.
BISGAIER HOFF, LLC
25 Chestnut Street, Suite 3
Haddonfield, New Jersey 08033
(856) 795-0150
Attorney for Applicant
