Neighbors Object to Hindu Temple Expansion Plans

The Hindu Temple of St. Louis says it's out of space and intends to expand its complex on Weidman Road to include an annex with classrooms, a dining hall, library and more parking.

But a neighborhood association says it has a host of concerns about the plan, primarily about disruptions to the residential life homeowners bought into some 30 years ago.

The complex, the largest of its kind in the region, started with the construction of the Mahatma Gandhi Cultural Center in 1991. A small temple was also built nearby a few months after, but it grew quickly. By 2000, artisans from India sculpted ornate details on a majestic gopuram, or main tower, that juts into the air above the tree line.

Until recently, the tower was lit up at night, much like the Mormon temple of Highway 40. The glowing Hindu temple has drawn comparisons to a spaceship.

In response to complaints, the temple set a timer on the lights a few weeks ago for 9 p.m., said G.V. Naidu, vice chairman of the temple's board of trustees. "We didn't realize that was causing a problem," he said.

In 2008, the temple bought a foreclosed housing development next door that didn't make it off the ground, to have more space for the annex. The $3 million plan has been on hold the past year, partly from a hearing and meetings over neighborhood concerns.

Frank Visconti, 71, president of Parkview Estates Subdivision, which borders the temple property, opposes the project. "It's just that they are expanding and expanding and expanding," he said.

Some 1,500 people come to the temple throughout the week, primarily on Saturday. Traffic particularly backs up on holidays. A large sign bolted to one area resident's mailbox reads: "Don't even think of parking here."

But the Hindus share the space they have when they can, said Ashley Thompson, office manager of neighboring Country Acres, an animal rescue farm and kennel, which schedules its annual fundraiser around parking availability at the temple. "We couldn't really do it without them," she said.

Apart from parking, neighbors also are concerned about drainage from a new paved lot, encroachment from another building and effects on property values.

Read more at: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/article_28812f3f-1699-592c-9cb3-0af1f0080c74.html

A Hindu Temple In The Back Yard?

The saga continues for residents of Parkview Estates, Fox Creek and Lafayette Farms regarding a Hindu Temple being built on Weidman Road in unincorporated St. Louis County. The subdivision trustees have corresponded with and have met with Colleen Wasinger (their Councilwoman) and the Director of the Planning department, Glen Powers,

The County has assured the trustees that all construction meets codes and permits (which are in doubt). Some of the homeowners have also met with the Hindu Temple.

As one resident said, “It is a real mess, but the bottom line is that in unincorporated St. Louis County, there is little residents can do to protect their property values. If you look at this stretch of Weidman Road, the Hindu Temple should never have been approved for construction there. Now, they doubled their land are size and want to expand. There is not a comparable building or structure within a mile of Weidman Road – only houses.”

“The County just goes by the books – zoning rules – without an appreciation of homeowner’s interests. Instead of new $600 k homes adjoining our subdivision, we will have a parking lot, more 2-story or higher buildings and probably more temples right next to us.”

Residents say what is frustrating is the general response from the county is “there is nothing we can do”. “That is the beef that many have with St. Louis County is that they enforce the rules and regulations but those rules and regulations do not protect homeowner’s rights and preserve quality of life. That is why so many residents have chosen to incorporate into separate cities – to have a more homeowner-friendly governing body that will be proactive in preventing the type of mess on Weidman Road. No resident would be happy to have a 50+ foot high white Hindu temple adjacent to their backyard with plans for more similar building. Yet the County response is “there is nothing we can do”.