Elgin commission deadlocks on proposed 86,000‑sq‑ft temple and 33 townhomes at 890 Galt Blvd.; matter moves to City Council

The Elgin Planning & Zoning Commission deadlocked on Dec. 8 over a revised plan for a Hindu temple and associated housing at 890 Galt Boulevard, sending the matter to the City Council without recommendation after a 3–3 vote.

City planning staff described the proposal as a planned development on a roughly 34‑acre parcel currently zoned general industrial with a community facility band to the north. The applicant, identified in the record as an Illinois nonprofit, seeks approval to construct an approximately 86,000‑square‑foot temple (peak height ~90 feet plus a 5‑foot flagpole), 536 parking spaces and 33 townhomes. Staff told commissioners the project was substantially reduced from an earlier 2024 proposal and that staff’s analysis concludes the submittal meets applicable standards for map amendments and planned developments; staff recommended approval subject to conditions in the packet.

Key facts presented at the hearing: staff said typical weekday services would draw 15–30 people, a typical Sunday evening service about 400 people, special Sunday services about 800, and the Hindu New Year event could have a total daily attendance up to about 2,900 with a…