We are not opposed to Sufism Reoriented building a new facility on this site, but they need to listen to the concerns of their neighbors and reduce the size and bulk of the project, provide adequate parking, retain trees, and reconsider the design so it blends in with the Saranap community. We are asking them to continue to be the good neighbors that they have been for many years.
The Sufism Reoriented plans call for 42 toilets/urinals, a massive kitchen, book store, performance area, recording studio, etc. which leads us to believe that massive gatherings of people (1,000+) could take place. And actually, according to the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), Table 4-1, Minimum Plumbing Facilities, the proposed building has enough toilet facilities for more than 2,800 people. The proposed 71 parking spaces will not accommodate this type of use and the potential traffic impacts are alarming.
Concerns about drainage have not been adequately addressed. This project is only two residential lots away from an active creek with chronic instability problems that continue to significantly affect adjacent residents. The County's results that would prove the drainage issue on neighboring properties has been resolved need to be provided to those neighbors for independent engineering review prior to project approval.
The number of truck trips required for excavation and construction of the project has been significantly underestimated in the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR). Consequently, impacts from noise, vibration, and reduced air quality will be increased. Duration of construction could well extend beyond two years, with detrimental effects to local residents and businesses.
There have been many requests for story poles to be erected that will visually indicate the true height and layout of the proposed building with its many domes. Story poles will demonstrate the proposed project in detail, and will give a fuller and much more accurate picture of the building than relying on Google Earth images of the site and inaccurately scaled illustrations of the structure. Story poles would be installed based on the engineer’s drawings, with the location established by a field survey. We don't understand the County's reluctance to require story poles to be installed.
Sight distance for drivers exiting the proposed religious facility and turning westbound onto Boulevard Way is not adequate based on the California Dept. of Transportation Design Manual.
The proposed Sanctuary development is incompatible with the neighborhood. The stark-white building design, with its multiple domes that loom over the surrounding homes does a poor job at blending with the surrounding residential landscapes. There are many places of worship that blend successfully with the surrounding neighborhoods and it seems reasonable for Sufism Reoriented to adjust their current design plans to address the many concerns that have been put forth by the neighbors.
The size, scale and inappropriate architecture being proposed by this minority population (less than 5% of Saranap) have the potential of leaving Saranap with a permanent white elephant that is unusable by any other group, because of substandard parking, should Sufism Reoriented have to vacate the premises due to declining membership.
The project proponents talk about how the area where they want to build is surrounded by light industry, business buildings, and multi-family condos and apartments. What they ignore is that this project will extend into an area to the west that consists of single-family homes, thus negatively impacting and reducing the residential nature of the neighborhood. This project is surrounded entirely by residential properties, 90% of the bordering properties are single-family homes. This is a classic example of a domino effect where incompatible development erodes residential neighborhoods parcel by parcel.
The County must see that this proposed development as irrevocable, incompatible, and precedent setting with far-reaching negative impacts on the entire Saranap neighborhood.
Approving this development would show poor community planning, leadership and judgment.
This development is surrounded by single-family homes and zoned residential. This monumental change to the original intended use will have profound impacts on our residential neighborhood and send a clear signal to other developers that current zoning is meaningless.
At 66,000 sq. ft., the proposed building is one of thelargest religious facilities in Contra Costa County in terms of square feet of space per member. The plan to excavate a big plot of land, large enough to partially submerge a 66,000 sq. ft. building underground, is totally unnecessary especially given the fact that Sufism Reoriented owns several properties located in a more appropriate area of Saranap that are conducive to a campus-like facility.
It’s troubling that a special interest group of roughly 350 members is seeking to transform the residential neighborhood into a non-residential center of activity. The majority of Saranap Area homeowners have not expressed support for this project. The long-term residents who have worked successfully with Contra Costa County for years and have supported the successful completion of development projects compatible with the Saranap Area should be listened to, not the opinions of those who suddenly claim to represent Saranap. Petitions circulated by Sufism Reoriented have relied on push-polling techniques and the signatures of many whom live outside of Saranap, and even out-of-state.
Many of the trees on site (58 in total) are scheduled to be removed, even though they fall into a protected category. Some are quite large in diameter, and very tall. The provision for the protection of these trees is provided in County General Plan Policies 8-21 and 8-28. Why are the County’s own policies not respected? In addition, the proposed planting of 165 small boxed trees, most of which are not drought tolerant native trees, also does not comply with the County objective to conserve native oak trees.
How can the County sanction the destruction of one of Saranap’s landmark homes located at 1384 Boulevard Way (pictured below) and removal of all vegetation when so many other options are available?
