Hindu Temple in Monroeville wants to expand

Monroeville council is scheduled to vote Nov. 11 on whether to grant zoning changes so that a Hindu temple can expand.

After more than two hours of testimony from administrators, residents and representatives of the Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, council last week voted to table action on the temples conditional use requests. Councilman Jim Johns recused himself from the vote.

Monroeville solicitor Bruce Dice said council must act on the matter within 45 days of the Oct. 14 meeting.

Councilman Rob Harvey made the motion to table the matter to take advantage of the time to analyze the information we received.

Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple requested conditional use approval to cut and fill nearly 25,000 cubic yards of earth near its present location on Abers Creek Road.

Officials of the temple want to construct a 13,410-square-foot, two-story building; a 1,466-square-foot addition; and a 264-square-foot connecting wing and four gazebos. The addition would contain new worship facilities, an office, meditation areas and a kitchen.

The proposed addition would be situated in the S Conservancy and R-2 single-family zoning districts. If approved, the project is expected to take five years to complete.

Tom Ayoob, attorney for the temple, said at the hearing that the municipalitys zoning ordinance allows as a conditional use a church and school, as well as major excavation. He added the municipalitys planning commission recommended approval with conditions.

Mr. Ayoob said the temple has been in its Monroeville location since 1991 and the building itself is nearly 100 years old. Sri Shirdi Sai Baba was among the first Shirdi temples in the United States, according to its website.

It needs to be upgraded, Mr. Ayoob said.

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Hindu Temple in Monroeville wants to expand