Planning commission OKs 2-year extension for South Valley Islamic Center project in San Martin

The Santa Clara County Planning Commission on March 27 approved a two-year extension for a set of concurrent land-use permits previously granted to the South Valley Islamic Center for property at 14045 Monterey Road in San Martin.

The extension covers a use permit, cemetery permit, architectural and site approval, design review, building-site approval and grading approval tied to an environmental impact report certified by the Board of Supervisors on March 24, 2020. Staff said the applicant filed the extension request in writing on Jan. 15, 2025, paid required fees and provided an explanation of circumstances under county ordinance section 5.21.80, which allows a single extension of up to two years when requested before the permit expiration date.

Samuel Gutierrez, principal planner with the Department of Planning and Development, summarized the project for commissioners: a worship hall, a multi‑use building, a maintenance building, a caretaker residence, a roughly 3.55‑acre cemetery, a youth camp with tent platforms, an orchard, plaza and parking. Gutierrez told the commission the extension request proposes no changes to the previously approved project or to its conditions and that no additional SEQA/CEQA analysis was needed because the item is a pure time extension.

Sharon Luna, chair of the San Martin Planning Advisory Committee, told the commission the advisory committee reviewed the extension at its March 26 meeting and issued a favorable recommendation by a 6‑0 vote with one member absent. Luna also told commissioners that residents remain concerned about other development pressures in San Martin, including several large “builder’s remedy” projects in preliminary stages.

Applicant representative Veil Actor said the project team delayed several submittals because of COVID‑era staffing and consultant shortages and later resubmission cycles. Actor told the commission the team has already completed non‑permit items such as surveys and habitat studies, established an agricultural well with permits and installed perimeter plantings. He asked the commission to grant the two‑year extension so grading and the remaining permitting sequence could proceed.

Vice Chair Rausser disclosed driving by the property daily and an ex parte contact with the applicant. No members of the public spoke on the item at the commission hearing.

Vice Chair Rausser moved to approve the two‑year extension; Commissioner O'Donoghue seconded. The roll call vote was: Commissioner Heatherly — yes; Commissioner Cohen — yes; Commissioner Belska — yes; Commissioner O'Donoghue — yes; Commissioner Levy — yes; Vice Chair Rausser — yes; Chair Escobar — yes. The motion carried 7‑0.

Staff advised commissioners that, per the county code, the extension is the first and only time extension available under the cited section and runs from the original permit expiration date. Gutierrez told the commission the project’s gating permit is the grading and drainage permit; once that permit is issued the project team can proceed with longer lead building permits. The commission did not add conditions beyond those adopted by the Board of Supervisors in 2020.

The decision is subject to the county’s appeal procedures; staff read the appeal‑period instructions at the hearing.