Planning commission approves Sikh temple Sunday‑school building after farmers raise pesticide‑spray concerns
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Summary
The commission voted 4-0 to approve a 1,340‑sq‑ft Sunday‑school building at 2765 Peach Ave (SPD202503). Nearby farmers warned the presence of a school‑use could trigger state rules limiting agricultural spraying near school sites; staff suggested voluntary mitigation such as planting vegetative barriers.
The Livingston Planning Commission approved a site‑plan and design‑review application on Feb. 10 for a 1,340‑square‑foot single‑story building to be used as a Sunday school at the Sikh Temple property, 2765 Peach Avenue. The commission voted to adopt resolution SPD202503 subject to conditions and found the project eligible for a CEQA exemption for small structures.
Staff described the building as two small classrooms connected by a collapsible door, a library, two restrooms and an exterior porch; the structure would sit on the northern half of the temple’s 3.9‑acre site, about 10 feet from a masonry wall that screens neighboring homes. Staff said the building meets setback, height, parking and coverage requirements and recommended adoption of a site‑plan resolution. Staff also noted the temple’s request to remove condition number 8 (a requirement to submit an additional landscape plan) because the applicant proposes artificial turf; staff supported striking that condition.
Sukhjit Toni Singh, representing the temple management, asked the commission to remove the landscape‑plan condition and said the temple would comply with other conditions; staff confirmed condition 8 could be stricken because the site already includes landscaping and the applicant proposes artificial turf.
Several neighbors, including local farmers, spoke at length about the practical effects of state restrictions on pesticide application near schools. One nearby farmer, Scott Abraham, said agricultural code and recent state actions can limit use of air‑blast spray rigs and other equipment within a quarter‑mile of a school site during governed hours, which can complicate the timing and cost of farming operations. "On a day like this where we need to be spraying to save our crop, our equipment is either gotta be sitting until it's after 6PM or we have to move it from another ranch," Abraham said, summarizing potential impacts and urging coordination between farmers and the temple.
Staff and commissioners discussed possible mitigation that would not be a legal requirement under current practice but could reduce exposure concerns, such as planting vegetative barriers along the fence line, adjusting scheduling, or coordinating specific spray dates with the temple. Staff noted the building’s occupancy and final classification (building‑permit occupancy type and community care licensing for childcare if that becomes applicable) would be determined at the building‑permit stage.
After public comment and deliberation, a motion to approve the site‑plan passed on a roll call of 4‑0 (one commissioner abstained and stepped down from this item because of proximity). The commission will allow the applicant to proceed to building‑permit review consistent with the conditions of approval.
