PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that United Hearts Islamic Academy LLC (the "Applicant") has applied to the Willingboro Township Zoning Board of Adjustment seeking use and bulk variances pursuant to N.J.S.A 40:55D-70(d)(1) and -70(c) to create a 2-story private education school building consisting of 9,520 square feet on each floor along with a playground/open area ("Application"). Under the proposed Application, the existing day care would no longer operate at the Site. The existing building would be repurposed to support the Pre-K through 12 school and would be connected via overhang to a newly constructed building. Other proposed Site improvements include, but are not limited to, a new parking area; a bus drop off area; and stormwater management basins. The subject property is located at 248 Pennypacker Drive further identified as Block 5.02, Lot 24 on the Willingboro Township Tax Map (the "Site"). Per Township Code §370-50, private education facilities are not a permitted principal use within the B-1 Zoning District of Willingboro Township. Resultantly, the Applicant seeks use variance relief from the Zoning Board to allow development of the school. Under the Municipal Land Use Law, a school is defined as an inherently beneficial use. N.J.S.A. 40:55D-4.
In addition to the D-1 use variance, the Applicant seeks the following bulk variances:
• From §370 Attachment 1 where the maximum permitted lot coverage is 50% and approximately 72.4% is proposed.
• From §370-18E where 90 parking spaces are required and 47 are proposed.
• From §370-75D where off street parking shall not be closer than 25 ft from a street line and parking is approximately 16.8 ft from Pennypacker Drive (Existing Non-Conforming).
There are no further use or bulk variances identified at this time but the Applicant requests any and all other variances and waivers as may be required as a result of review and recommendations of the Board or its professional review staff.
This matter will be heard at the regular meeting of the Willingboro Township Zoning Board of Adjustment scheduled for October 1, 2025, at 7:00 PM via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86701733189?pwd=RTFWZ1M4MTZFRFFydExNS0xUTElCZz09. The Zoom details are as follows: Meeting ID: 867 0173 3189 Password 024314, Telephone Number Users may Dial In: 1.646.558.8686 Password: 024314. Members of the public looking to offer a comment must follow the steps for each meeting which will be available on the Township website, including registering as an attendee prior to the scheduled meeting through Zoom or by dial-in numbers. For individuals who cannot register for Zoom, they may submit written comments/questions by contacting the Board Secretary prior to the meeting. The comments/ questions must include the individuals' name and address and will be read into the record.
All relevant documents are on file with the Board Secretary at 1 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Dr., Willingboro, NJ 08046. If you have questions, you may contact Ms. LaToya Cooper-McBride, Board Secretary, during regular business hours at 609.877.2200 extension 1029 or by email to lcooper-mcbride@willingboronj.gov.
Please note that the Board may, at its discretion, adjourn, postpone, or continue the hearing on this application from time to time and you should make a diligent inquiry of the office of the Board Secretary concerning any such adjournments, postponements, or continuations.
HYLAND LEVIN SHAPIRO LLP
Attorneys for Applicant
By: Robert S. Baranowski, Jr.
(856) 355-2900
September 18 2025
LSOM0371277
$43.40