Congregation Ohel Yaacob, located at the intersection of Lawrence and Ocean Avenues in Deal, is undergoing a major expansion of its synagogue that will hopefully be completed by next summer.
“They need more room and are expanding their building. The project has received approval from the Planning Board. It is a major expansion,” Borough Administrator Stephen Carasia said.
Work has already begun on the project and Carasia said the congregation hopes to have to project done by this summer.
“That is what their goal is,” he said.
Most of the old synagogue has been demolished and the new synagogue will occupy about 25 percent of the 150- by 251-foot lot.
The synagogue also obtained a variance for the number of parking spaces.
“They are required to have one parking spaces for every five seats in the synagogue but the waiver allows them to have 72 spaces, which is below the minimum requirement,” Carasia said.