State cites yeshiva for more housing violations
Neighbors concerned over organization putting up big, blue barrier
BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer

PHOTO COURTESY OF SHAN ELLENTUCK The large blue tarp erected at 28 Homestead Lane in Roosevelt on Aug. 23 as seen from the neighboring Ellentuck residence.

ROOSEVELT - The state has cited the local yeshiva for more housing violations.

The N.J. Department of Community Affairs (DCA) sent an inspector to 2 Homestead Lane on Aug. 15 and found an excessive amount of Yeshiva Me'on Hatorah students residing in the house and issued a "notice of imminent hazard,'' according to Chris Donnelly, a spokesperson for the DCA.

"We issued a notice of violation that they were occupying the single-family residence as an illegal use, that they correct the violation immediately, and called for an expedited hearing," Donnelly said.

If the yeshiva did not correct the violation, it would have faced a fine of up to $2,000 per week. However, the yeshiva did call the state and requested to work out a settlement agreement, Donnelly said.

"They have agreed to have no more than five occupants sleeping in the house at any time," he said.

At the time of the inspection, nine students were living in the home. The yeshiva rectified the living situation by moving four of the students out of the house.

Two Homestead Lane is the fourth house in the borough associated with the yeshiva - which is a high school in the Homestead Lane synagogue - to be cited for housing violations this year. Earlier this year, the state cited 53 N. Rochdale Ave. as an illegal dormitory. After receiving notice of the violation, yeshiva representatives agreed to pay a $2,000 fine, discontinue multiple-family occupancy (dormitory status), vacate the premises by July 6 and not move any more individuals into the house, according to Donnelly.

Within weeks of the settlement, however, according to Donnelly, the state discovered that the North Rochdale home and two other buildings in town were acting as yeshiva dormitories without the proper documentation and approvals.

The state determined in July that the conditions in all three homes were imminent hazards, overcrowded with 15 people at 53 N. Rochdale Ave., 12 people at 18 Homestead Lane and 17 people for 28 Homestead Lane, and without sprinkler systems and safe electrical work.

At that time, the DCA's Division of Fire Safety, which made the discoveries, ordered the buildings vacated. Additional fines of $1,000 apiece were levied against each Homestead Lane home.

Donnelly said that the yeshiva has since applied for and been issued permits to make some corrections to 17 and 28 Homestead Lane that would allow them to eventually be classified as dorms. The North Rochdale home has been sold and the yeshiva no longer uses it as a residence for its students.

"Until all requirements regarding dormitory status are met and the owners obtain the necessary zoning approvals from the municipality for a change of use - as DCA does not handle zoning issues - certificates of occupancy cannot and will not be issued and no more than five residents can be housed in these locations," Donnelly said.

Shan Ellentuck, who with her husband, Bert, lives next door to 28 Homestead Lane, said that between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 23, men from Yeshiva Me'on Hatorah and other helpers erected a blue tarp wall between the two properties. She said the tarp measures approximately 15 to 18 feet high by 50 to 60 feet long.

"Presumably, the purpose of the big blue wall is to keep people from seeing anything that is being taken into the house," Shan Ellentuck said.

She continued, "Within the past few weeks, observers have reported to the Borough Council and to state agencies that 22 mattresses and 22 metal bed frames were delivered there. There were at least that many beds in the building already."

Shan Ellentuck said the home currently does not meet state standards for such use, nor has the yeshiva applied to the Roosevelt Zoning Board for a variance to use the house as a dorm.

When told about the Ellentucks' concerns regarding the blue tarp and asked for comment on the issue, Joshua Pruzansky, executive vice president of the yeshiva, said, "I will not dignify that with a response."

The yeshiva, which has been located in Roosevelt since September 2005, has grown one class each year. This year, the ninth, 10th and 11th grades at the school are expected to have close to 60 students.