Jacob Amir and Daniel Richmond secured approvals to convert a single-family home into a religious school and dormitory in Ramapo. This success required eight critical variances from the Zoning Board of Appeals and site plan approval from the Planning Board.
The project revived a decades-old effort that was previously halted due to potential environmental review challenges. By reconfiguring the proposal, the team minimized environmental impacts while incorporating key improvements. Jacob’s advocacy under federal and state religious protections highlighted the project’s legality and community value.
The Planning Board accepted the argument that traffic impacts would be negligible, departing from its consultant’s costly mitigation recommendation. This decision avoided financial burdens on the client, marking a significant victory for innovative and collaborative planning.
