Hindu temple development in Elgin clears hurdle after zoning change approved by council

Despite objections from neighboring residents, Elgin City Council members have approved zoning changes that could allow a Hindu temple to be built on Elgin’s east side. But the proposed development still faces hurdles.

On Wednesday, the council voted 6-3 in favor of changes that would allow Umiya Mataji Sastha Chicago Midwest to construct a religious and residential development on the 34-acre vacant property at 890 Galt Boulevard, just north of Route 20 and east of Shales Parkway.

Council members Diana Alfaro, Dustin Good and Steve Thoren voted against the plan.

However, the temple still faces another challenge, as the property in question is subject to a consent decree issued by the Circuit Court of Cook County in 1967 following litigation by residents of the neighboring Sherwood Oaks subdivision.

Developers of the property must petition the court to either vacate or amend the decree, which limits the type and intensity of certain industrial uses and prohibits residential land use. If that decree is changed or vacated, the proposal would return to the Elgin council for a final vote.

The proposed development would include an 86,000-square-foot temple with a maximum height of 90 feet, as well as 33 townhouses in five buildings and an 8-acre private recreation field.

The original plan proposed in June was scaled back after it failed to win the endorsement of the Planning and Zoning Commission. The most recent plan, recommended by city staff, failed to get the commission’s support in December after a 3-3 vote.

Nearby residents have consistently spoken out against the development at various meetings, with more than 20 people voicing their opposition on Wednesday.

Jessica Astrug, a resident of the neighboring Oak Ridge subdivision, said building the temple would create “astronomical” traffic disruptions on Route 20 as well as endanger a wetland.

“Your tax-paying constituents don’t want this development built in this location,” she said. “This opposition has absolutely nothing to do with religion.”

Council member Steve Thoren said he drove the neighborhood. He added that the concern about traffic was his “number one issue” in deciding not to support the proposal.

“It’s already a problem area for traffic, and I am not one to help a traffic problem get worse,” he said.

Representatives for the temple argued that their busiest traffic times would be limited to Sundays when traffic volume on Route 20 is at its lowest point in the week. They also said Elgin police officers would be hired to direct traffic during heavier times.