Buffer Between Houses and Hindu Temple Parking Lot Approved

The residents of Parkview Valley Estates, off Weidman Road, and the , after more than two years, have compromised on the use of four acres owned by the temple that will be occupied by a community center and parking lot.

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Representatives of the temple and the subdivision met with St. Louis County Planning and Zoning Commission and St. Louis County Council members on Jan. 3 to hash out their differences.

The distance from personal property lines to a retaining wall for a 240-space parking lot was the main issue. The temple wanted 10 feet and the neighbors were going for 15. They agreed on 15, and Tuesday night, the county council approved it.

“I look out my master bedroom window and I look right at it,” resident, James Mason said. “I think it’s the best we could have hoped to ever get out of this whole thing.” Mason has lived in his house since 1979 when the subdivision was built, and a single house surrounded by trees was all that was on the site next door.

“They have tried to accommodate us,” said a homeowner who declined to be named. “It’s the same old story, conflict between two different uses.” She said they have the right to do what they want to do on their property.

Neighborhood trustee Kevin Mowery said they were frustrated because they didn’t think the planning commission was taking property values into account.

“The planning commission and our councilwoman (Colleen Wasinger) were reluctant to take any position that wasn’t strictly enforcement of the zoning laws,” he said. “The biggest problem, I don’t think the zoning laws of the county protect the interests of the home owners.”

In an email to Patch, Vijaya Kumar Buddhiraju, chairman of the Hindu Temple, said he wasn’t happy about giving up the five feet.

“As the temple is expected to manage this area, it may become more problematic,” Buddhiraju stated. “As the chair of the trustees, whatever I do, will be inherited by the next Board of Trustees.  So each board is under pressure to be careful about making lasting decisions.”

Parkview Estates won the five-foot concession, but some neighbors said they are still concerned about the intentions of the temple.

“Hopefully it’s going to turn out according to the plan they showed us,” Mason said. “At this point, we couldn’t stop it. How much money could we spend to delay it? You’re delaying the inevitable, we were told that.”