Jackson Township, NJ – The Jackson Township Planning Board voted to grant a one-year extension to Khal Nachlas Avos, Inc. for a previously approved house of worship planned along Whitesville Road near East Veterans Highway.
The project is being constructed by Rabbi Mordechai Hirsch, who is the son-in-law of Lakewood philanthropist Richard Roberts. Hirsch is also a prominent real estate investor in Jackson Township.
The extension applies to approvals originally granted by resolution on Sept. 8, 2025, allowing the applicant additional time to complete regulatory approvals and advance the project while regional infrastructure issues are resolved.
Sewer capacity delays remain major obstacle
Appearing on behalf of the applicant, attorney Donna Jennings of Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer said the extension is needed because approvals from outside agencies have taken longer than anticipated.
The sewer system is in Jackson has been a major obstacle for many of the larger projects in the pipeline for the community, but Jackson MUA commissioners are working in coordination with developers and land owners to address sewer capacity and availability in the more rural areas of the township to accommodate higher-density projects that would not be able to be built without sewers.
Ian Borden, president of Professional Design Services and the project’s planner, told the board the development has made significant progress with the Pinelands Commission, Ocean County Planning Board and Soil Conservation District.
“They have basically signed off on the project,” Borden said, noting that the remaining challenge is the lack of available sewer capacity serving the area.
According to Borden, the applicant is working with the Jackson Township Municipal Utilities Authority (JTMUA) on a sewer extension but has proposed a temporary septic system on an adjacent property owned by the applicant until sewer service becomes available.
Once sewer capacity is available, the temporary septic system would be abandoned and the building connected to the public sewer system, he said.
Separate application required for septic modification
Board Attorney Michael Klee agreed the applicant is entitled to seek a one-year extension but questioned whether the temporary septic proposal represented a modification to the original approval.
Klee noted the original application presented to both the board and the public anticipated connection to public sewer service, not temporary septic facilities.
“I have absolutely no problem with the time extension,” Klee said. “I will push back on the modification to the approval to allow a septic system.”
Planning Board Chairman Dr. Robert Campbell agreed the septic proposal should be considered separately after proper public notice is provided.
Applicant representatives confirmed they will submit a separate application seeking approval for that change.
Regional infrastructure project affects multiple developments
Borden explained the sewer issue extends beyond this project and affects multiple developments in the Whitesville Road corridor.
That corridor has seen major projects come online, including several high density single family developments which are in various stages of construction.
He said construction of a second sewer force main stretching approximately 5.5 miles toward Toms River is required before additional sewer capacity becomes available. The project recently received a CAFRA permit for the Toms River portion and continues through additional state permitting.
That new sewer line could turn Whitesville Road in Jackson into a Cross Street (Lakewood) style of expansion boom once installed, however the county has no plans to expand the roadway capacity on the road which is already a traffic nightmare for commuters throughout the day.
Councilman Ken Bressi said many future applicants are expected to face similar delays because capacity will remain unavailable until the new infrastructure is completed.
“The Board is aware of the flow problem,” Bressi said, explaining that temporary septic systems may become necessary for some projects until the sewer improvements are finished.
Bressi’s wife Karen is a commissioner on the MUA, which is controlled at this time by members aligned with Council President Mordechai Burnstein and Mayor Jennifer Kuhn. It is understood that those commissioners will continue to push to expand the MUA’s footprint to accomodate future rapid growth.
Without the MUA sewer expansions, projects like Khal Nachlas Avos and others could see major setbacks.
Board unanimously approves extension
Planning Board Planner Brian Peters said the request did not raise planning concerns because zoning for the property has not changed since the original approval.
Following discussion, Bressi made a motion to approve the one-year extension, which was seconded by board member Mr. Sullivan.
The motion passed unanimously among members present, allowing the applicant additional time while reserving any discussion of the proposed temporary septic system for a future public hearing.
Key Points
- Jackson Planning Board approved a one-year extension for a proposed house of worship on Whitesville Road.
- Regional sewer capacity shortages delayed the project despite approvals from several outside agencies.
- A separate public application will be required before the board considers a temporary septic system.
