A revised proposal for a Hindu temple will head to the Elgin City Council without a recommendation from the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission, members of which were divided on project.
Umlya Mataji Sastha Chicago Midwest revised the size of the project, scaling back the original 231,000-square-foot structure and 125-foot spire at 890 Galt Blvd., off Lake Street, to an 86,000-square-foot temple with a 90-foot-tall spire.
They also eliminated plans for a recreation center and 33 townhomes on the 34.2-acre site, leaving 21 acres of open space.
In June, commissioners rejected the original version of the development as being too large, echoing the sentiments of residents, who also cited concerns about safety, noise and traffic. City approval for a planned development and a preliminary subdivision plat is required for the plan to move forward.
Three commissioners — Jordan Wildermuth, Karin Jones and Ignacio Gasca — liked the new plan and voted for council approval. But three others, Sam Olson, Nancy Abuali and Debra Vruble, voted against it.
“I agree with everyone here. You have done a great job with the petition and making it doable for our community,” Commissioner Sam Olson said. But, that said, the area is “way too dangerous” and it’s his opinion that no development be approved there until the Illinois Department of Transportation makes changes to Lake Street/Route 20, he said.
But Wildermuth and Jones said they believed the temple met the city’s requirements.
“I want to compliment you on the revision,” Jones said. “It’s obvious you heard what was being said (by neighbors). It’s a very thoughtful resubmission.”
Peter Bazos, an Elgin attorney representing Umlya Mataji Sastha, said congregation members working with the city since 2023 have revised the plan multiple times.
Bazos said he told temple’s leaders in June that they could move forward to the council with a negative review from the commission, but they told him, “‘No, let’s listen to what we heard. Let’s go back and see if we can’t redraw our project,’” he said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a petitioner voluntarily reduce the scope of their project as much as this.”
The newest version has many of the changes staff and neighbors recommended, he said.
“Some (of the changes) we took the initiative to make ourselves,” Bazos said. “We think we’ve met all the standards. This religious institution is entitled to a fair resolution.”
Neighbors, however, did not agree and asked the commission to vote against the application.
Jessica Astrug said the proposed development doesn’t adhere to the city’s comprehensive plan, which states new development should maintain the character of surrounding areas. She presented an AI image of an average two-story home alongside a 90-foot-tall spire, saying it is obvious to her that such the structure doesn’t fit in with the neighborhood.
A site isn’t suitable just because a developer wants it to be, Astrug said.
“If we approach a rezoning that contradicts the comprehensive plan, we send a clear message that our planning policies don’t matter and any neighborhood can be changed by ad hoc requests, creating a new precedent for all new proposals. It’s not good government. It’s not fair to residents,” she said.
Many people spoke about how danagerous Route 20, and that adding more traffic will make it worse.
Attorney Paul Ochmanek, representing the Oak Ridge Homeowner’s Association, said residents are worried about the scale, traffic and noise. While the scope of the project was reduced, other issues — namely traffic — weren’t addressed.
Daily prayers held in the morning and evening draw an attendance of about 430 total. Hindu New Year will draw about 965 people to the temple, according to city documents.
On high attendance days, the temple will have a traffic management plan to help move vehicles through the property, documents said. Temple officials will work with the Elgin Police Department.
A study submitted as part of the project found the surrounding roadways “can absorb the additional traffic and will continue to function within acceptable, designed ranges.”
Ochmanek said he believed that study was flawed and outdated.
Umlya Mataji Sastha has other hurdles to overcome before construction can begin. In 1966, Cook County Circuit Court issued a decree limiting development on the property so temple leaders must petition the court to either vacate or amend the decree.
“That’s where I think the ultimate decision lies, with the consent decree,” Wildermuth said.
The city council will make a decision on approval of the plans at a future meeting. If approved, the temple will need to come back to the city for final plat approval.
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.