The Tom's River Church is giving up its plans to open a homeless shelter after facing intense pushback from township officials.

The Tom's River Zoning Board earlier this summer rejected a variance needed by Christ Episcopal Church to open the shelter, and the church announced this week it won't appeal that decision.

But church leaders first announced their plans roughly a year ago to open a homeless shelter as part of efforts to expand community outreach services.

There's currently no homeless shelters open in Ocean County and residents in the area have consistently opposed opening one.

At a May hearing about the church's plan, some locals raised safety concerns.

Meanwhile, Tom's River Mayor Daniel Roderick had previously made his own proposal using eminent domain to seize the church property and redevelop it into a park.

The mayor's plan is currently on hold and church leaders have vowed to fight any seizure attempts if it moves forward.

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