The Board of Standards and Appeals will hold a fourth public hearing on April 24 regarding a proposal by Congregation Ohel Chabad Lubavitch to extend its property. The synagogue is seeking to better accommodate the hundreds of people who visit the grave of the Rebbe Menachem Schneerson at Montefiore Cemetery in Cambria Heights each day, but area residents say the crowds cause problems.
The BSA held a public hearing on Tuesday to get more input on the plan, but did not take a vote, according to Frederick Becker, the attorney representing the congregation. He said Wednesday that the agency has requested more information about the impact the plan would have on traffic as well as greater detail about the operational functions of the congregation and shrine. At the last hearing, Becker submitted two proposals, one with sleeping accommodations — which the city considers transient housing and prohibits — and one without.
The BSA has not dismissed either, Becker said, and will continue to examine both at the next hearing. “There is a lot of information and it is not strange to have several hearings,” he said. The April 24 hearing will be held at 1:30 p.m. at the BSA office, located at 40 Rector St. in Manhattan.
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