By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
The Jersey Shore Rescue Mission in Asbury Park has filed an appeal with the Monmouth County Superior Court of the citys denial of variances to allow the homeless shelter to remain open.
The appeal will be heard by Judge Lawrence Lawson July 9.
The mission was closed in October when the Zoning Board of Adjustment denied variances to the mission.
The consensus of the board was: the mission will bring more homeless into the city from other areas, create a financial burden for the city by creating the need for more police and social services and is not the best use of property in the light industrial zone.
The board had previously voted against the mission, but the case was remanded back to the board by Judge Alexander Lehrer, who said the board must consider whether the mission would present an inherent beneficial use to the community.
During the discussions a group of Asbury Park residents formed Stand Up for Asbury and hired an attorney to prevent the mission from opening.
A main concern is that the mission attracts homeless and sometimes addicted people to the shelter for food and housing but only a few enter the missions strict religious program, while the others are turned back onto the street.
Dave Scott, representative from the Jersey Shore Rescue Mission said his group wants to get back to feeding people at the Memorial Drive site. Before being shut down by the zoning board, the group offered meals to homeless and temporary housing to homeless men.
Those men who chose to go into the groups religious program were allowed to stay and complete the program.
Scott said he is hopeful that Judge Lawson will rule that the mission is an inherently beneficial use to the community.
The thrift store, which the mission operates at the site, is still open for business because it is a conforming use of the property.
Scott said the judge will be looking at whether or not the zoning board of adjustment went through the proper steps to determine the beneficial use of the property.
Ron Gasiorowski, attorney for Stand Up For Asbury, said the judge will also consider whether the negative impact of the mission outweighs the benefits.
Gasiorowski said Judge Lawson can only consider evidence from the board meetings.
We feel that the testimony was compelling that they are going to be bringing people from all over the state who are addicted to drugs or alcohol and after a brief stay they are turned back out on the street, he said.
Gasiorowski cited testimony given at previous board meetings that the homeless sleep at the shelter at night and are on the street all day.
They are left to their own devices during the day, he said.
Gasiorowski also said representatives from the mission said they would be bringing over 800 homeless people to the mission on a yearly basis.
Even if it is a beneficial use, does the negative impact outweigh the benefit, he said.
Scott said if Lawson does not rule in favor of the mission, his organization will take the case to the next level.
Were committed to being there, there is definitely a need, even if there are people who think there isnt.
Scott asserted that half of all the homeless men in Monmouth County live in Asbury Park, although those figures were not supported by city officials.
If you are going to locate something somewhere, this is going to be the place.
Besides the thrift store, which is opened from Tuesday to Saturday, the mission operates a food pantry called Angel Food.
Anyone, said Scott, can use the Angel Food program as long as they register and pay $30.
In return they will receive $70 worth of food.
Contact Joanne Papaianni at joanne@thecoaster.net.
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