MANALAPAN - At a Planning Board meeting Thursday, officials listened to a proposal from the American Burma Association regarding the construction of a Buddhist temple at 63 Gordons Corner Road, next to the Taylor Mills School.

The association acquired the property in 1995, according to its representative, attorney Burton Zitomer of Florham Park, who said the proposed project would be completed in two phases.

Phase one would include the construction of a 20-foot high, 48-foot octagonal pagoda of traditional Burmese-style architecture that would function as a chapel. Phase two would be the expansion of an existing home for use as quarters by monks, with plans at this lime calling for the residence of five monks, he said.

Zitomer explained that Buddhist temples, unlike Judeo-Christian houses of worship, call for separate facilities and that the quarters would also serve as a sanctuary for meditation.

The chapel, considered a holy place, would house relics and objects holy to worshipers who would receive blessings and teachings there.

Commenting after the meeting, Zitomer said he believes this would be the first Buddhist temple to be built in New Jersey.

After board members listened to the conceptual proposal, Chairman Robert Weisenberg asked Zitomer to submit plans and schedule a formal proposal for future consideration and public hearing.