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Robert B. Sklaroff, M.D.
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Mrs. David M. Sklaroff To: Letter to the Editor
The Abington Zoning Board properly characterized as "too intensive" Kol Ami’s intent to buy a heavily-wooded, 100%-residential plot that branches from a cul-de-sac. This rejection abided by the new federal religious use law, for the compelling government interest is safety of synagogue users, contiguous neighbors and regional drivers. Kol Ami admittedly seeks to expand a non-conforming use, transforming a private convent to a public attraction. Changing a sleepy abode into a bustling assembly would not only require police assignments during multiple weekly programs and special ceremonial events, but it would also entrap homeowners deluged by unlimited traffic. Because it cannot use a nearby private road, Deer Run, to access heavily-traveled but single-lane Valley Road directly, the lifeline of its Hebrew school would be a primary (not a secondary or tertiary) road. Were it licensed, this would violate state law. And an insufficiently-sized parking lot could only force spillover onto narrow, nearby streets. The Abington Zoning Board imposed no discriminatory "substantial burden" on Kol Ami. Rather, converting this unused, hilly monastery to any commercial use would create an unreasonable burden on the municipality. The federal law does not confer unlimited power upon religious institutions to overwhelm a community’s resources. The Philadelphia Chapter of the American Jewish Committee endorsed litigating to compel Abington to approve this site, but it did so without approval by its Board of Directors, on which I serve. On Wednesday, immediately after having read a news report revealing its involvement, I raised these concerns with its surprised Regional Director, who will investigate if this hasty decision was made without independent legal analysis. I asked that the AJC Board meet as soon as possible to rescind endorsement of this lawsuit. This "right church" wants to sit in the "wrong pew." * Word Count: 285 [Available is a list of the AJC Board’s membership, on which I’ve served for 3 decades.] |
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To contact me--Robert B. Sklaroff, M.D.--just send an e-mail (rsklaroff@comcast.net).
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