The church seeks to build a 51,017-square-foot facility with 254 parking spots and has applied for a use variance, various waivers and preliminary and final site plan.
by James McEvoy, Managing Editor
HAMILTON — Kingdom Church, a non-denominational church, is returned to the Zoning Board of Adjustment seeking to build a church at 2367 Kuser Road Tuesday night, though at least two more meetings are likely to be held before a decision is made.
The church seeks to build a 51,017-square-foot facility with 254 parking spots and has applied for a use variance, various waivers and preliminary and final site plan.
Subsequent testimony revealed the facility will contain approximately 1,000 seats and that roughly1,300 worshippers attend the church’s current worshipping site in Ewing between two services.
The two services would be held at the Hamilton site, if approved, as would a Wednesday night Bible study.
The church also currently leases space in a school for a Burlington location. Pastor Dharius Daniels testified the church is under contract to purchase a permanent facility elsewhere in that community.
Earlier this year, the church additionally sought to construct a 27,010 square-foot fellowship hall.
The application will be carried at least to the Dec. 10 meeting. However, officials as well as counsel for the application suggested additional meetings would be necessary.
To accommodate the nearly 200 who residents and congregates, the meeting was held in the Nottingham Ballroom.
Board members opined future meetings may also be held at the facility as the public portion of the application was also carried.
Michael Magee, attorney for applicant, told the board the fellowship hall and additional parking had been removed from the application in an attempt to “accommodate as much as possible the comments and concerns raised by the board professionals and outside consultants.”
Mr. Daniels testified that the church sought the new location to address space concerns.
”We just need more space to accommodate what we do,” he said.
Michele Donato, attorney representing Kuser Community Association, cross examined Mr. Daniels and will have the opportunity to do so with other applicant experts at future meetings.
Ms. Donato questioned Mr. Daniels about the growth of the church, which was founded in 2005, as well as the status of the Burlington location, and whether either its closure or general growth could cause the size of the proposed Hamilton worship site to be insufficient.
In response, Mr. Daniels testified if growth went beyond what the church could accommodate they would build, but would be unable to do so in Hamilton.
”We can’t build on this location,” he replied.
”We’re not necessarily looking to erect a facility to accommodate growth,” he said. “We’re erecting a facility to continue to provide quality care to the people that we currently serve.”
While there will be some kitchen use at the proposed church, there will not be receptions held for weddings or similar events, he said.
He further testified there will not be a school or a daycare use at the church, if approved.
The applicant intends to call experts in fields of planning, engineering, traffic and architecture.
The impact on traffic is an issue of principal interest of residents in the immediate area of the proposed church.
Lisa Linkowsky, who lives near Kuser Road, said while she supports churches, if approved there would be four within a one-mile radius of her home.”I have two small children. Right now, I have to drive to Veterans Park, I live a quarter of a mile from it,” Ms. Linkowsky said, adding that she won’t cross the street with them on foot due to safety concerns.
She further noted traffic overall is a significant concern and that some times it takes up to 10 minutes for her to make a left off her street onto Kuser Road.
”It’s just out of control,” she said. “We’re very concerned.”
Ed Pfeiffer, speaking on behalf of Save Hamilton Open Space, voiced concern over the impact of the proposed use.
”Our organization would prefer that it be left as open space,” Mr. Pfeiffer said. “We feel that the township is already overbalanced toward development and to the detriment of open space.
”This proposed development, due to its size and intensity of use, would be incongruous even to the pre-existing surrounding development and would lead to a loss of almost six acres of woods from what I’ve seen,” he added.
Several other members of the audience voiced support for the application.
Ted Martens, senior pastor of Faith Baptist Church, also located on Kuser Road, “We’re excited about the church moving in, they’re right down the road,” Mr. Martens said. “My view is we need every church we can get.”Patricia Dixon, a Kingdom Church congregant who resides in Hamilton, said she church would have a positive impact in Hamilton.
”It’s going to be a great addition to the community,” Ms. Dixon said. “When they come they do a lot of outreach.
”The church is going to be an asset to the community,” she added. “They’re here to help build a community and not take away from it.”
Another Hamilton congregant, Emeka Osuagwu said volunteers from the church control traffic during Sunday worship services at the Ewing facility, noting an elderly care facility had been recently constructed nearby.
”We’ve never had a complaint,” Mr. Osuagwu said.
Board Vice Chairman Anthony Celetano and board members James L. Kochenour recused themselves prior to the application being heard.
Mr. Celetano recused himself after Michael P. Balint, board attorney, suggested the move given a running mate of Mr. Celetano in the recent Hamilton Board of Education election had publicly stated opposition against the application.
Mr. Balint suggested the move though noted he believed Mr. Celetano could have judged the application fairly.