Stanislaus County supervisors Tuesday night told members of the Sikh community they could build a temple on almond orchard land they own near Hughson.
The Board of Supervisors voted 32 to overturn the county Planning Commission, which had rejected the project. Supervisors Nick Blom and Rolland Starn opposed the construction on farmland.
In a packed chamber, supporters of the temple warned supervisors about discriminating against the Sikhs because of their nonChristian faith. Project opponents argued it was a land use issue and had nothing to do with religion.
In July, the county Planning Commission voted 62 to deny the Sikh community’s request to build the 16,000squarefoot temple on 11.6 acres now being used to grow almonds at Santa Fe Avenue and Hatch Road.
Neighboring farmers opposed the temple proposal, citing traffic congestion, sewage, the loss of agricultural land, and limitations on the spraying of pesticides as potential problems,
Spokesmen for the temple project said they will only remove two acres of the almond trees {for their buildings and farm the rest. They also agreed to spend an estimated $30,000 to provide turn lanes on Hatch*Road to accommodate additional traffic and to construct the buildings with soundproofing to lessen noise from the adjacent railroad.
Supervisors Pat Paul, Ray ‘Simon and Bill Mattos, who all voted to allow the project, agreed with county planning staff that the conditions agreed to by the Sikhs were sufficient.
The temple is designed to accommodate about 50 Sikhs who live in Modesto, Ceres and Hughson. The Sikhs now commute to Stockton to worship.
Inan apparent effort to allay fears about the Sikh people, several project proponents praised the character and integrity of the community and stressed religious freedom as an American right.
“As most come from India, they may be different in appearance from the majority of American citizens; however, we don’t feel this should be given undue attention,” said Wendy Scott, speaking on behalf of the county’s Bahai Faith community.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 28, 1990
