Source: The Record, Northern New Jersey, October 30, 2000
CRANBURY, NEW JERSEY: Local farmers oppose construction of a Chinmaya Mission center in this rural community. The Mission wants to build on a seven-acre tract in an area of permanently preserved farmland. The temple would be in a barn-like structure designed to fit in the area, and attract 100 people on Sundays and up to 350 on festival days. Local farmers fear the temple goers may eventually object to the use of heavy machinery and pesticides in the area. The Township Committee, at their request, is trying to change the zoning to block the planned temple. Under the new rules, the temple would have to be smaller and have less parking space. However, this zoning attempt may run afoul of the newly passed “Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act” signed into law by President Clinton this year. That act specifically prevents towns from using zoning to restrict religious building, unless they meet stringent requirements.