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Planning Commission OKs 2‑year extension for San Martin Islamic center project
Summary
The Santa Clara County Planning Commission approved a two‑year extension for the South Valley Islamic Center’s land‑use permits, allowing more time for the applicant to secure grading and building permits without changing approved project features or conditions.
The Santa Clara County Planning Commission on March 27 approved a two‑year extension of time for a previously approved land‑use application for the South Valley Islamic Center in San Martin.
The commission’s vote extends the suite of entitlements the board of supervisors granted on March 24, 2020 — including a use permit, cemetery permit, architectural and site approval, design review, building site approval and grading approval — to allow more time for the applicant to obtain required development permits. Samuel Gutierrez, principal planner with the Department of Planning and Development, told the commission the applicant filed a timely extension request on Jan. 15, 2025 and paid the required fees under county ordinance section 5.21.80.
The applicant described pandemic‑era delays and supply‑ and labor‑chain constraints that slowed preparation of construction plans. An applicant representative said the team has completed a number of non‑gated tasks, including surveys, a greenhouse gas assessment, perimeter plantings and an on‑site agricultural well, and has been working on a grading permit deemed the gating item for subsequent construction.
Vice Chairperson Rausser moved to approve the two‑year extension; Commissioner O’Donoghue seconded the motion. The planning commission approved the request by roll call: Commissioners Heatherly, Cohen, Belska, O'Donoghue, Levy, Vice Chairperson Rausser and Chairperson Amy Escobar all voted in favor. No conditions or changes to the board‑approved project or to the environmental certification were proposed.
Staff told commissioners the extension is a one‑time allowance under county code and may not exceed two years. Planners also noted the project remains subject to concurrent reviews by other county departments, including Environmental Health and Roads and Airports, for grading, access and water issues. The department indicated it saw no outstanding agency obstacles that would prevent issuance of the grading permit once review comments are addressed.
The project parcel at 14045 Monterey Road in San Martin includes proposed buildings and a 3.55‑acre cemetery as described in the original approvals. The San Martin Planning Advisory Committee reviewed the extension on March 26 and recommended approval by a 6–0 vote with one member absent, staff said.
The planning commission’s approval preserves the original conditions of approval and the mitigation monitoring or reporting program certified with the environmental impact report on March 24, 2020. The commission noted the extension does not open the project to additional public comment or new conditions; it is strictly a time extension under the county ordinance.
Appeal rights: Commissioners read the standard appeal notice: anyone dissatisfied with the decision may appeal to the Board of Supervisors within 15 calendar days by filing the appropriate documents and fees pursuant to county rules.
Background: The project was appealed after the original planning commission approval and was ultimately approved by the board of supervisors along with an environmental impact report and required conditions in March 2020. The extension keeps those approvals in effect while the applicant completes required building and grading submissions.
