Native American sanctuary in Salem County gets permit to be a worship site

Appeal of zoning decision becomes a teachable moment

The planning board meeting was standing-room only because a proposed warehouse in the township drew out a lot of residents. Those residents ended up engaging in the discussion about the sanctuary and its right to be a place of worship.

Heather Kumer from the Watershed Law Group represented Gould Jacinto’s group before the planning board.

As board members interrogated her about the modifications to the house and site as it stands currently, Kumer argued that nothing on the property was being modified and explained the only change is the ownership. The property would continue operating as a religious site.

“We’re trying to make this a teachable moment,” Kumer said during her 25-minute presentation. “How often do you see a Native American sanctuary being built anywhere?”

Board members asked about the sanctuary’s memberships, its mission statement and the number of visitors it would expect on days of worship.

The arguments got heated.

“Do you believe that the township has a legitimate right to inquire as to the intensity of that use?” asked Richard Coe, the planning board’s lawyer.

“No, I think that it’s the freedom of religion with that,” Kumer responded. “As long as there’s nothing within the code that says it’s going to trigger from a change of ownership… We’re talking about just a change of ownership right now.”

“What is the threshold that you’re indicating is an acceptable amount of traffic coming in and out, and that kind of thing?” Coe inquired.

Then a man wearing a NYPD baseball cap in the front row chimed in.

“It should be none of your business,” he said with the audience agreeing with him. “It should be none of your business! That’s what it should be.”

The audience applauded in agreement.