The Jewish Discovery Center will seek zoning relief Thursday in Waverly Twp. to build a dozen cabins for members of the Jewish community to observe their traditions.
The center, which submitted the plans earlier this year under the name Chabad of the Abingtons Inc., is seeking a special zoning exception to build 12 cabins on its property off Miller Road. The cabins, which would be located behind an existing synagogue and home, would each be 865 square feet, have three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a living room, and accommodate up to six people. They would be accessed by gravel drives and walkways.
The cabins would serve as “sleeping accommodations for individuals attending services and religious programming/activities in a religious retreat setting” on the property, according to a legal notice published in The Times-Tribune advertising the public hearing. They would be used only by those attending services, observing holy days or participating in other programming on the property.
Center representatives went before the township’s planning commission earlier this year. The commission recommended that the plans be heard by the zoning hearing board as the proposed cabins wouldn’t conform with the township’s existing zoning, according to officials. The township’s zoning officer issued a letter to the center outlining ways the plans could comply with existing zoning, which the center challenged.
The entrance to the Jewish Discovery Center in Waverly Twp. on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
The entrance to the Jewish Discovery Center in Waverly Twp. on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
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The entrance to the Jewish Discovery Center in Waverly Twp. on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
The zoning hearing board will hear the application and the challenge at Thursday’s meeting.
The plans also include waterlines and electric facilities. The property, which totals more than 20 acres, would not be subdivided.
Roman Storzer, one of the attorneys representing the center, said the cabins will allow people observing the Sabbath or certain holy days in Judaism to spend the night on site and not have to drive, which is not allowed during those days. The cabins also would enable visitors to participate in activities at the center.
“This would give them the opportunity to come to religious services and other religious activities without having to drive to or from the facility,” he said. “The Chabad wishes to provide a number of Jewish outreach, worship, community-type activities, and this will facilitate people being able to participate.”
Originally Published: October 13, 2025 at 2:05 PM EDT