Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
After Initial Rejection, Fresno Sikh Temple Gets Approval
David Website Replacement
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 3 years ago on
August 25, 2021

Share

The Sant Zora Singh Lopon Charitable Trust wanted to build a Sikh temple and community center on the outskirts of Fresno. They sought a place where 50 families could meet and pray.

Things seemed to be on the way for a routine approval. Staff reports supported the project. There was no opposition from neighbors.

Nonetheless, the Fresno County Planning Commission said no.

The Board of Supervisors disagreed. At Tuesday’s meeting, the board overrode the commission’s decision, granting an appeal with a 5-0 vote.

“We have many churches of varying faiths. I don’t know why it didn’t pass the planning commission, but as (Supervisor) Nathan (Magsig) alluded to, we’re the ultimate deciding voice is here. Staff recommends the project. I don’t see anything of issue with the project. And I would make the motion to accept staff’s recommendation and move this idea forward,” said Supervisor Brian Pacheco, who represents the area of the proposed temple.

Members of the temple did not want to speak on the record, but they expressed happiness over the decision.

A ‘No’ at Planning Commission

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife expressed concern that building a Sikh temple might affect the Swainson’s hawk (CDFW)

Already owning the property at 1501 N. Brawley Avenue, just north of Olive Avenue, the trust required a conditional use permit from the planning commission.

In a filing with the county, organizers of the Sikh temple said they would meet once or twice a month on Sundays. The temple would use amplified sound, but only indoors. Up to 100 worshippers, traveling up and down the Central Valley but mostly from Fresno, would attend. Parking would be available for 50 cars.

But a letter from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife may have influenced the planning commission to say no. While the CDFW did not outwardly object to the project, it did express concerns over the proposed temple’s effect on the Swainson’s hawk and burrowing owl.

In a letter to the planning commission, Julie Vance, regional manager with CDFW, recommended several mitigation measures if the project moved forward. They included surveys conducted by biologists to determine “that the birds (hawks) have fledged and are no longer reliant upon the nest or parental care for survival.”

Other measures included replacing raptor nest trees and creating a half-mile no-disturbance buffer zone.

On a 5-3 vote on June 10, the planning commission rejected the temple’s permit request.

Planning staff speaking to the Board of Supervisors said commissioners made comments about the proposed metal building and where the worshippers would travel from.

“There was no testimony in opposition to the application and no discussion regarding the late correspondence from the California Department of Fish
and Wildlife,” a county staff report said.

Temple Appeals and Wins

The temple appealed the decision on June 21 and finally had its hearing on Tuesday.

“The appearance of the outside of the building was one thing that was a concern to some of the commission members. But the inside of the building is going to be fully articulated, fully finished out. It’s going to represent a Sikh facility. It’s going to be a place where these families could come worship,” architect Michael Dhanens — representing the Sikh group — told the supervisors.

Temple members attended the meeting, but they didn’t speak at the hearing.

Magsig said the metal building or where the temple members came from were immaterial. He voiced his support for the project.

DON'T MISS

CHP Car Struck by Drunk Driver While Investigating Another Crash

DON'T MISS

Fresno Man Ejected From Car Dies Off McKinley Avenue

DON'T MISS

‘Leave It the Way It Is’: Off-Roaders, Hikers React to Proposal to Change 1.4M Acres of Sierra Forest

DON'T MISS

Yankees Retain Cole, Add $36 Million Extension to Keep Ace

DON'T MISS

5 Reasons Early Voting Is Overwhelmed With Falsehoods

DON'T MISS

Christian McCaffrey Returns to Practice for the 49ers From Achilles Tendon Injury

DON'T MISS

California Sues LA Suburb for Temporary Ban of Homeless Shelters

DON'T MISS

You May Have Blocked Someone on X but Now They Can See Your Public Posts Anyway

DON'T MISS

Some Republican-Led States Refuse to Let Justice Department Monitors Into Polling Places

DON'T MISS

Fresno Police Arrest Suspect in Fatal NW Apartment Shooting

UP NEXT

‘Leave It the Way It Is’: Off-Roaders, Hikers React to Proposal to Change 1.4M Acres of Sierra Forest

UP NEXT

Trump Threatens 25% Tariff on Mexico to Curb Immigration

UP NEXT

Sanger Men Arrested in Connection with Slingshot Vandalism Spree at Businesses

UP NEXT

What Is Sierra Unified’s Plan to Boost Lagging Student Achievement?

UP NEXT

Fresno State Bulldogs Stumble in Fourth Quarter, Suffer Narrow Loss to Hawai’i

UP NEXT

Challengers Seek Seats on Tulare County Irrigation District Boards

UP NEXT

Shy Pup Finds Hope with Foster Family, Evasion from Euthanasia

UP NEXT

AMOR Wellness Trunk-or-Treat Brings 700 Mendota Residents Together for Halloween Fun

UP NEXT

What Kind of Trouble Is Miguel Arias Trying to Stir Up This Time?

UP NEXT

Fresno Man Shot to Death at NW Apartment Complex Is Identified

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Yankees Retain Cole, Add $36 Million Extension to Keep Ace

6 hours ago

5 Reasons Early Voting Is Overwhelmed With Falsehoods

6 hours ago

Christian McCaffrey Returns to Practice for the 49ers From Achilles Tendon Injury

6 hours ago

California Sues LA Suburb for Temporary Ban of Homeless Shelters

6 hours ago

You May Have Blocked Someone on X but Now They Can See Your Public Posts Anyway

7 hours ago

Some Republican-Led States Refuse to Let Justice Department Monitors Into Polling Places

7 hours ago

Fresno Police Arrest Suspect in Fatal NW Apartment Shooting

7 hours ago

Fresno Murder Suspect Stopped in Las Vegas, Others Wanted

7 hours ago

Trump’s Crowds Are Dwindling as His Campaign Winds Down

8 hours ago

Trump Threatens 25% Tariff on Mexico to Curb Immigration

8 hours ago

CHP Car Struck by Drunk Driver While Investigating Another Crash

A driver suspected of being under the influence crashed into a California Highway Patrol car early Sunday, officials said. Officers were inv...

3 hours ago

A driver suspected of DUI crashed into a parked California Highway Patrol car at a fatal crash scene in Fresno County, sustaining minor injuries and later being cited. (Fresno County SO)
3 hours ago

CHP Car Struck by Drunk Driver While Investigating Another Crash

fresno
3 hours ago

Fresno Man Ejected From Car Dies Off McKinley Avenue

4 hours ago

‘Leave It the Way It Is’: Off-Roaders, Hikers React to Proposal to Change 1.4M Acres of Sierra Forest

New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning in Game 5 of the baseball World Series, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in New York. (AP/Ashley Landis)
6 hours ago

Yankees Retain Cole, Add $36 Million Extension to Keep Ace

Voters cast their ballots at Desert Breeze Community Center in Las Vegas during the last day of in-person early voting in Nevada on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. Nearly 75 million people have cast early ballots, making their voices heard amid worry about the process, the outcome and democracy itself. (Bridget Bennett/The New York Times)
6 hours ago

5 Reasons Early Voting Is Overwhelmed With Falsehoods

6 hours ago

Christian McCaffrey Returns to Practice for the 49ers From Achilles Tendon Injury

6 hours ago

California Sues LA Suburb for Temporary Ban of Homeless Shelters

7 hours ago

You May Have Blocked Someone on X but Now They Can See Your Public Posts Anyway

Search

Send this to a friend