Temple Israel Granted Subdivision

Ending a years-long saga that involved two major deals that fell through, Temple Israel of Lawrence will finally be allowed to sell off the large green space in front of its property, the Lawrence Board of Zoning Appeals ruled on Thursday.

The BZA unanimously granted the temple’s subdivision request, with a restriction that the property can only be sold for residential use only. This came after an hours-long hearing last month where neighbors of the synagogue stated they would not want the property used for commercial or organization use.

“The temple is pleased with the outcomes and we’re looking forward to remaining in Lawrence,” said Garrett Gray, the synagogue’s attorney and a past president. “It’s been a long road. It’s not like hurdles weren’t expected, but it was worth it.”

A few years ago, Temple Israel tried to work out a deal with the JCC of the Greater Five Towns so the latter would purchase the large green lawn on Central Avenue. After that plan met opposition, it was scrapped. Later, Peninsula Public Library signed a letter of intent to purchase the property, but, once again, residents and Lawrence trustees opposed the deal.

Lawrence Mayor Martin Oliner had said he wanted the temple’s lawn to remain a green space. In response, temple officials offered to sell him the land.

At one point, Temple Israel officials accused the Village of Lawrence of stonewalling the synagogue's subdivision request, and brought the village to court.

Although membership at the reform temple and its school has been increasing recently, its numbers have dropped over the decades. The temple has sustained itself with income from an on-site caterer and the JCC, which rents a portion of its building.

The lawn was appraised at $1.2 million, which Gray said is the price the temple will seek.

“This will give us a nice cushion,” he said.