Congregation Seeks to Use Health Club as Church

A Christian congregation is looking to make the former Riverview Racquet Club on Henley Avenue their new home. 

New Milford's Planning Board heard Tuesday night from representatives of the Gospel Fellowship Church, who are looking to move their congregation to the former health club.

In an attempt to accommodate the church’s representatives and their incomplete application, the board ultimately decided to switch the dates for their work session and public session planned for next month. The board has agreed to hear the applicant in the work session on Tuesday, Sept. 20.

The primarily Korean congregation, currently located in Bergenfield, is undergoing the application process to move to New Milford. The proposed location, at 111 Henley Avenue, is the former Riverview Fitness Center and Racquetball Club.

“They do have cramped space in Bergenfield, it’s not enough to accommodate the present congregation,” said Gerald Tyne, attorney representing the Gospel Fellowship Church. “And certainly, I’m sure they pray to God that their congregation will increase.” The church’s current capacity in Bergenfield is 150 people, although their congregation is made up of approximately 300 members.

Tyne, along with representatives from the church, came before the board after several letters came in questioning their application. Borough Construction Official James Taormina wrote to the Planning Board, stating that he found the church’s “architectural plans to be incomplete.” Letters from both Taormina and NMPD Chief Frank Papapietro questioned the church’s plans to use the site as a daycare facility, which was proposed in their original application.

Deacon Jonathan Kim of Gospel Fellowship Church clarified for the board that they would not use the church as a daily daycare facility, but would host “Sunday school”-type classes for the youth of the congregation during Sunday services.

Chairman Angelo DeCarlo explained to the representatives of Gospel Fellowship Church that “whatever intent is going to be for any parts of this building,” the board needs to be made aware of that.

Other questions that came through via letters to the board were regarding parking spaces. The New Milford Fire Department wrote to the board suggesting that two parking spots be removed to allow access to the garbage dumpster located in the parking lot. The board and representatives for Gospel Fellowship agreed that the parking lot would realistically have about 115 spaces

Members of the board were concerned with how traffic flow would be affected by Sunday services.

“There’s only one way to come in and out of [Henley] street,” said Planning Board Secretary Arthur Castronova. “That’s not convenient for the town with the traffic flow at that intersection.”

Tyne reassured the board that Gospel Fellowship Church has a method of staggering services an hour and a half apart throughout the day on Sundays, in order to allow ample time for congregants to come to and from services without creating an overflow of traffic.

The applicant is expected to submit their revised plan before Sept. 10.

“Assuming everything is okay and their application can be declared complete, the board will then consider it officially,” said Chairman DeCarlo.

If completed, the Gospel Fellowship’s application will be considered in the public session, which has now been moved to Tuesday, Sept. 27.