Islamic Center Gets Green Light from Planning Commissioners in San Martin

SAN MARTIN (KCBS) - Rejecting a staff recommendation for a continuance, Santa Clara County's planning commissioners have voted to approve an Islamic Center in San Martin.

The proposal is to build on a 15-acre site along the Monterey Highway. The Cordoba Center, as presented, would include a 5,000 sq. ft. mosque, a 2,800 sq. ft. multipurpose hall, as well as a cemetery.

Opposition to the project centered on possible groundwater contamination.

"The fear is the soil, the permeability of the soil...If you dump it into the soil, it goes down through, it goes into the creek. You're right up against a creek...August Creek, its tributaries run into the Pajaro River, which goes into all these different counties and dumps into the Monterey Bay," outlined Gilroy resident Georgine Scott-Codiga.

Advocates for the projected maintain that studies show otherwise - specifically, that there would be no groundwater contamination.

"It's just irrational fears," suggested Dr. Bakria Mosa. "Fear of the unknown."

KCBS' Mike Colgan Reports:

Now that the project has been approved by the county's Planning Commission, it will go before Santa Clara's full Board of Supervisors for consideration.

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