Saranap Community Association
Supervisors’ Appeal Hearing on
Sufism Reoriented Sanctuary Approval
Scheduled for Feb. 21
The board of supervisors’ hearing on appeals of the county planning commission’s approval of the Sufism Reoriented sanctuary will be held Tuesday, Feb. 21, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The planning commission on Nov. 8 approved Sufism Reoriented’s application to build a sanctuary on Boulevard Way. The 4-2 vote came after three nights of public comments during which more than 200 people spoke. The hearing took place over four consecutive Tuesdays, beginning Oct. 18. In addition to approving the land use permit, the Planning Commission approved merging the seven parcels that make up the site.
Subsequent to the commission’s decision, eleven appeals were filed, including one by Sufism Reoriented.
The hearing will take place on the second floor of the county administration building, 651 Pine St., Martinez. The supervisors have set aside Feb. 27 and the afternoon of Feb. 28 for a continuation of the hearing, if needed.
The sanctuary project includes a 66,000-sq. ft. building on 3.12 landscaped acres near the Kinney Blvd. intersection. Two-thirds of the building will be under ground. Designed by noted New York architect Alan Ritchie, the building will be topped by 12 “saucer” domes surrounding a larger, central dome, which will be 33½ ft. above grade. The roofline of the above-ground structure will be about 14 ft.
Sufism Reoriented submitted its application to build the sanctuary in July 2008. In March 2010 the church requested that the county conduct an environmental impact report on the project. The EIR was published a year later, finding that the project would have no adverse environmental impacts that could not be mitigated. In early October the county zoning administrator certified the EIR, meaning that the county found the document to be complete and in keeping with the California Environmental Quality Act.
Spring Children’s Boutique May 5
The SCA’s spring Children’s Toy & Clothing Boutique will take place Sunday, May 6. Through the generosity of neighbors who have donated things their children have outgrown, this is an opportunity to pick up nice toys, clothing, and books for your newborn to 10-year-old-without paying a cent. What’s the catch? There isn’t one. Everything is free, and you don’t have to donate something to take something. If you do have things to donate, though, you can bring them to the Boutique. We’re especially interested in winter clothing-things like sweaters, jackets, sweatshirts, boots, mittens, and gloves.
The Boutique happens from noon till 3 p.m. at The Meher Schools, 999 Leland Dr., Lafayette (off Old Tunnel Rd.).
Monthly Board Meetings Open to All
Monthly meetings of the SCA board of directors are held the first Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m., at the Lafayette fire station office of Supervisor Gayle Uilkema (3338 Mt. Diablo Blvd.). Everyone is welcome to attend and to bring business before the board. Meetings generally last until about 9 p.m.
New (and Former) Members, Donations Sought
Neighbors Helping Neighbors, the Toy & Clothing Boutique, and other services provided by the SCA are made possible exclusively through membership dues and donations. With a relatively small membership base and a very ambitious agenda, every membership and donation makes a difference. If you're not yet a member, we hope you ll consider joining now. Dues are only $30 a year. Or if you're a former member and didn't renew your membership this year, we hope you will now. Download a Membership Application here.
If you don't feel that you can afford to join but would like to support the SCA's work, we gladly accept donations in any amount. If you're a member and can see your way to an additional gift, your contribution would be greatly appreciated. Memberships are vital to the SCA, and so are donations.
Sufism Reoriented Sanctuary Approval
Scheduled for Feb. 21
The board of supervisors’ hearing on appeals of the county planning commission’s approval of the Sufism Reoriented sanctuary will be held Tuesday, Feb. 21, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The planning commission on Nov. 8 approved Sufism Reoriented’s application to build a sanctuary on Boulevard Way. The 4-2 vote came after three nights of public comments during which more than 200 people spoke. The hearing took place over four consecutive Tuesdays, beginning Oct. 18. In addition to approving the land use permit, the Planning Commission approved merging the seven parcels that make up the site.
Subsequent to the commission’s decision, eleven appeals were filed, including one by Sufism Reoriented.
The hearing will take place on the second floor of the county administration building, 651 Pine St., Martinez. The supervisors have set aside Feb. 27 and the afternoon of Feb. 28 for a continuation of the hearing, if needed.
The sanctuary project includes a 66,000-sq. ft. building on 3.12 landscaped acres near the Kinney Blvd. intersection. Two-thirds of the building will be under ground. Designed by noted New York architect Alan Ritchie, the building will be topped by 12 “saucer” domes surrounding a larger, central dome, which will be 33½ ft. above grade. The roofline of the above-ground structure will be about 14 ft.
Sufism Reoriented submitted its application to build the sanctuary in July 2008. In March 2010 the church requested that the county conduct an environmental impact report on the project. The EIR was published a year later, finding that the project would have no adverse environmental impacts that could not be mitigated. In early October the county zoning administrator certified the EIR, meaning that the county found the document to be complete and in keeping with the California Environmental Quality Act.
Spring Children’s Boutique May 5
The SCA’s spring Children’s Toy & Clothing Boutique will take place Sunday, May 6. Through the generosity of neighbors who have donated things their children have outgrown, this is an opportunity to pick up nice toys, clothing, and books for your newborn to 10-year-old-without paying a cent. What’s the catch? There isn’t one. Everything is free, and you don’t have to donate something to take something. If you do have things to donate, though, you can bring them to the Boutique. We’re especially interested in winter clothing-things like sweaters, jackets, sweatshirts, boots, mittens, and gloves.
The Boutique happens from noon till 3 p.m. at The Meher Schools, 999 Leland Dr., Lafayette (off Old Tunnel Rd.).
Monthly Board Meetings Open to All
Monthly meetings of the SCA board of directors are held the first Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m., at the Lafayette fire station office of Supervisor Gayle Uilkema (3338 Mt. Diablo Blvd.). Everyone is welcome to attend and to bring business before the board. Meetings generally last until about 9 p.m.
New (and Former) Members, Donations Sought
Neighbors Helping Neighbors, the Toy & Clothing Boutique, and other services provided by the SCA are made possible exclusively through membership dues and donations. With a relatively small membership base and a very ambitious agenda, every membership and donation makes a difference. If you're not yet a member, we hope you ll consider joining now. Dues are only $30 a year. Or if you're a former member and didn't renew your membership this year, we hope you will now. Download a Membership Application here.
If you don't feel that you can afford to join but would like to support the SCA's work, we gladly accept donations in any amount. If you're a member and can see your way to an additional gift, your contribution would be greatly appreciated. Memberships are vital to the SCA, and so are donations.
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