By JACQUELINE DURETT
Correspondent
EDISON—A zoning board application took an unusual turn at the Sept. 27 meeting.
An application was heard at the meeting to expand the daycare facilities and add 29 single-family age-restricted units to the Golden Era Medical Adult Day Care on Meridian Road.
The lengthy application was progressing, with the board and Golden Era hashing out issues such as sufficient parking and the aesthetics and landscaping of the building. The board then moved to the public for comment.
The first resident to object, Amit Bhasin of neighboring street Aspen Circle, had similar concerns to the other Aspen Circle residents who would follow him—privacy and security foremost among them.
However, Bhasin said he had another concern and he wasn’t quite sure that this hearing was the proper place and time to it bring up.
Zoning Board Chairwoman Rosemary Feterik asked Bhasin what the issue was.
“The adult day care is being used as a religious school on Sunday,” Bhasin replied.
Building landlord Harshad Shah immediately responded that he was unaware of any such activity, but acknowledged that he does not visit the facility on weekends. He said if a religious school is being held, he would put a stop to it.
Feterik was incredulous that Shah would not know whether such an activity were happening at his building.
“How come you don’t know whether there’s [another] tenant in there?” she asked. “If he owns the building and this gentleman is saying the building is being used as a religious school on the weekend, how could he not know his building is being used on the weekend?”
Board Planner Henry Bignell pointed out that if the allegations are true, Shah could be cited for various violations, including a use not permitted for the site, and use during nonpermitted hours. Currently, the site is not approved for any weekend use.
Feterik and Bignell recommended Bhasin file a complaint with the zoning office so the issue could be investigated.
When creating the motion for approval, the board reiterated its requirements for the application, including parking restrictions. In addition, Board Attorney Patrick Bradshaw specified that the site is not to be used as a religious school.
However, with only six board members available to vote, the application only secured four approvals. As such, the matter will go to Bradshaw for a final review and decision.