Hearing examiner approves conditional-use permit for Thurston Hindu Temple site in Tumwater
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Summary
The City of Tumwater hearing examiner granted oral approval for a conditional use permit and site plan to allow the Thurston Hindu Temple and Cultural Center to occupy a 1,562-square-foot suite at 210 Tumwater Boulevard SW. Staff recommended approval, tribes and nearby agencies raised no objections, and the examiner said he will issue written findings soon.
Mark Scheidmeyer, the City of Tumwater's hearing examiner, orally approved a conditional use permit and site plan review that would allow the Thurston Hindu Temple and Cultural Center to operate in a 1,562-square-foot suite at 210 Tumwater Boulevard SW.
Sam Hunter, an associate planner for the City of Tumwater, told the hearing that staff reviewed the proposal against the Tumwater Comprehensive Plan and municipal code (citing Tumwater Municipal Code section 18.56) and recommended approval with conditions. Hunter said the application was deemed complete in December, a notice of application was issued on 12/26/2025 and the notice of public hearing was published 02/13/2026; tribal respondents including the Squaxin Island Tribe and the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation raised no issues during the notice period. Hunter also said staff found the existing site improvements, pedestrian access and parking adequate to serve the proposed uses and that the property lies within the aquifer protection overlay but that church uses are not restricted there.
"Staff recommends approval of the conditional use permit and site plan review with the attached conditions," Hunter said.
The applicant, identified in the hearing as Mr. Kumar representing the Thurston Hindu Temple and Cultural Center, described daily operations and anticipated attendance. "Our temple will operate only 2 hours in the morning time. It is 8 to 10 a.m., and the evening hours is also 2 hours 6 to 8," Kumar said, and added that daily weekday activity is typically low while festival occasions could draw five to six families (he estimated about 25–30 people at maximum). Kumar said a neighboring fitness business had expressed support.
During questioning, Scheidmeyer asked about peak attendance, hours of operation and whether airport-overlay regulations applied. Hunter replied the proposed occupancy would be limited to 49 and that the site is outside the airport approach zones to which Tumwater's airport-overlay restrictions apply.
A Port of Olympia representative who was addressed in the hearing as Britt stated the Port supports the permit. No members of the public asked to speak in opposition during the public-comment portion.
After hearing staff and the applicant, Scheidmeyer said there had been "no opposition to this" and "I'll go ahead and approve the requested special use permit and site plan approval." He cautioned that the oral approval must be reduced to a written decision containing findings of fact and legal conclusions before it is effective and said he expected to provide the written decision to the city "very soon, certainly by early next week." The examiner then adjourned the hearing.
The written decision and accompanying findings will be the official record required for the permit to take effect; the city will provide a copy of that decision to the applicant once finalized.
