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VICTORVILLE, CALIFORNIA, February 3, 2005: Hindus will get a second shot at presenting their plans for a temple on Apple Valley Road to the Town Planning Commission. By a unanimous vote, the Planning Commission decided to re-hear arguments for allowing the construction of a 7,950-square-foot Hindu temple and an adjoining community center on March 2. Several members of the community spoke against the temple at the Planning Commission’s meeting Wednesday night. They cited adverse traffic impacts and incompatibility to having a temple in the midst of a residential neighborhood. Others argued the temple would produce very little additional traffic to Apple Valley Road and that it would not detract from but rather enhance the existing neighborhood.



Town resident Lester Milroy argued for the temple. He said the problem of worshipers making a left hand turn onto Apple Valley Road, which was cited by commissioners as a main concern when they originally denied the project Jan. 19, could easily be mitigated with either a “no left turn” sign or a center median. He also said he was offended by a letter written by Pastor Mark Allen Mikels that questioned the appropriateness of a Hindu temple being located next to his church, which has been approved but not yet built. “There were just too many things about the denial of this project that seemed way too out of hand,” Milroy said.



Manmohan Nayyar, citing a town traffic study, said the temple will add only four cars to Apple Valley Road during peak hours. The temple would add value to the town, which he has called home for the past 18 years, he said. His daughter, Megha Nayyar, started a fund-raising drive for the temple and motivated her father to seek out the 2.4 acres off Apple Valley Road, just north of Ottawa Road, for the temple. “It is my daughter’s dream and I assured her it will be done,” Manmohan Nayyar said. “And it will be done.”

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