07-19-2008, 07:18 PM
http://www.ohio.com/news/break_news/19316449.html
Richfield approves Hindu temple, neighbors expected to appeal
By Colette M. Jenkins
Beacon Journal religion writer
POSTED: 11:01 a.m. EDT, May 28, 2008
The Richfield Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday night approved the final plans for a proposed Hindu temple to be built on seven acres at 4406 Brecksville Road in the village.
But a zoning permit cannot be issued until a resolution can be reached in court between neighbors who oppose the construction, the village and representatives of the Sree Venkateswara Temple of Cleveland.
Last month, all parties agreed to put the case on hold until further action by the commission.
Tuesday's approval of the final plans for the temple allows for the opposing neighbors, collectively known as Concerned Richfield Homeowners, to file a new appeal. The new appeal can only be based on the commission's decision to issue a conditional zoning certificate, according to an order by Common Pleas Judge Patricia Cosgrove.
Cosgrove's order also prohibits the commission from granting any zoning permits pending a court hearing.
''The temple agrees not to start construction while the neighbors are appealing,'' attorney Jay Porter, who represents the temple, said today. ''We are confident that the planning commission's decision of last evening will be affirmed by the court. Once the zoning permit is issued, construction on the temple will start.''
The attorney for the neighbors, Leland Cole, could not be reached for comment. Cole has said, however, that his clients will appeal any decision by the commission to allow construction of the temple on the Brecksville Road property.
The original appeal, filed in December by the residents, asked the court to review the planning commission's approval of preliminary plans for the temple.
Representatives of the temple had asked that the appeal be dismissed because it was prematurely filed. They argued that the appeal should not have been filed until final plans were approved by the commission.
Plans for the proposed 6,220-square-foot building include a 3,772-square-foot worship area. The building would be constructed on 1.5 acres of the seven-acre parcel.
The Richfield Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday night approved the final plans for a proposed Hindu temple to be built on seven acres at 4406 Brecksville Road in the village.
But a zoning permit cannot be issued until a resolution can be reached in court between neighbors who oppose the construction, the village and representatives of the Sree Venkateswara Temple of Cleveland.
Last month, all parties agreed to put the case on hold until further action by the commission.
Tuesday's approval of the final plans for the temple allows for the opposing neighbors, collectively known as Concerned Richfield Homeowners, to file a new appeal. The new appeal can only be based on the commission's decision to issue a conditional zoning certificate, according to an order by Common Pleas Judge Patricia Cosgrove.
Cosgrove's order also prohibits the commission from granting any zoning permits pending a court hearing.
''The temple agrees not to start construction while the neighbors are appealing,'' attorney Jay Porter, who represents the temple, said today. ''We are confident that the planning commission's decision of last evening will be affirmed by the court. Once the zoning permit is issued, construction on the temple will start.''
The attorney for the neighbors, Leland Cole, could not be reached for comment. Cole has said, however, that his clients will appeal any decision by the commission to allow construction of the temple on the Brecksville Road property.
The original appeal, filed in December by the residents, asked the court to review the planning commission's approval of preliminary plans for the temple.
Representatives of the temple had asked that the appeal be dismissed because it was prematurely filed. They argued that the appeal should not have been filed until final plans were approved by the commission.
Plans for the proposed 6,220-square-foot building include a 3,772-square-foot worship area. The building would be constructed on 1.5 acres of the seven-acre parcel.
Richfield approves Hindu temple, neighbors expected to appeal
By Colette M. Jenkins
Beacon Journal religion writer
POSTED: 11:01 a.m. EDT, May 28, 2008
The Richfield Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday night approved the final plans for a proposed Hindu temple to be built on seven acres at 4406 Brecksville Road in the village.
But a zoning permit cannot be issued until a resolution can be reached in court between neighbors who oppose the construction, the village and representatives of the Sree Venkateswara Temple of Cleveland.
Last month, all parties agreed to put the case on hold until further action by the commission.
Tuesday's approval of the final plans for the temple allows for the opposing neighbors, collectively known as Concerned Richfield Homeowners, to file a new appeal. The new appeal can only be based on the commission's decision to issue a conditional zoning certificate, according to an order by Common Pleas Judge Patricia Cosgrove.
Cosgrove's order also prohibits the commission from granting any zoning permits pending a court hearing.
''The temple agrees not to start construction while the neighbors are appealing,'' attorney Jay Porter, who represents the temple, said today. ''We are confident that the planning commission's decision of last evening will be affirmed by the court. Once the zoning permit is issued, construction on the temple will start.''
The attorney for the neighbors, Leland Cole, could not be reached for comment. Cole has said, however, that his clients will appeal any decision by the commission to allow construction of the temple on the Brecksville Road property.
The original appeal, filed in December by the residents, asked the court to review the planning commission's approval of preliminary plans for the temple.
Representatives of the temple had asked that the appeal be dismissed because it was prematurely filed. They argued that the appeal should not have been filed until final plans were approved by the commission.
Plans for the proposed 6,220-square-foot building include a 3,772-square-foot worship area. The building would be constructed on 1.5 acres of the seven-acre parcel.
The Richfield Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday night approved the final plans for a proposed Hindu temple to be built on seven acres at 4406 Brecksville Road in the village.
But a zoning permit cannot be issued until a resolution can be reached in court between neighbors who oppose the construction, the village and representatives of the Sree Venkateswara Temple of Cleveland.
Last month, all parties agreed to put the case on hold until further action by the commission.
Tuesday's approval of the final plans for the temple allows for the opposing neighbors, collectively known as Concerned Richfield Homeowners, to file a new appeal. The new appeal can only be based on the commission's decision to issue a conditional zoning certificate, according to an order by Common Pleas Judge Patricia Cosgrove.
Cosgrove's order also prohibits the commission from granting any zoning permits pending a court hearing.
''The temple agrees not to start construction while the neighbors are appealing,'' attorney Jay Porter, who represents the temple, said today. ''We are confident that the planning commission's decision of last evening will be affirmed by the court. Once the zoning permit is issued, construction on the temple will start.''
The attorney for the neighbors, Leland Cole, could not be reached for comment. Cole has said, however, that his clients will appeal any decision by the commission to allow construction of the temple on the Brecksville Road property.
The original appeal, filed in December by the residents, asked the court to review the planning commission's approval of preliminary plans for the temple.
Representatives of the temple had asked that the appeal be dismissed because it was prematurely filed. They argued that the appeal should not have been filed until final plans were approved by the commission.
Plans for the proposed 6,220-square-foot building include a 3,772-square-foot worship area. The building would be constructed on 1.5 acres of the seven-acre parcel.