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Temple’s Vision 2020
Let us do our share: Raise $2.2 Million by Year 2020
We have been updating you periodically on the progress of our rezoning application through the Limestone Township and the Peoria County. As we are within a mile and half of Cities of Peoria and West Peoria, we have had to seek pre annexation agreement with one of the two cities that would have jurisdiction over us. The City of West Peoria (only 0.4 mile from us) has shown interest in having an agreement that entails rezoning with us and is working out an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Peoria.
As we have stated previously our need to rezone is critical to our future. The Temple property is currently zoned agricultural with a special use permit. The Temple and the parking lot currently span 5 acres; while the other 20 acres remain wooded. Any further development requires additional permits or rezoning. The Temple land and its adjacent lands are land locked with entry only from Prairie Lane. The municipalities are against any further development without the creation of a second access.
The current Temple infrastructure is barely adequate. The narrowness of Prairie Lane and Hill Top road is a serious concern to us and the neighbors. There is growing concern amongst road district officials to maintain a road burdened by a tax exempt Temple. Besides, neighbors have complained that Prairie Lane traffic is heavy caused by the Temple visitors. They are concerned about speedy visitors with children routinely playing on the street. We do not have a fire hydrant nearby; Prairie Lane water volume and pressure are too low to provide adequate fire protection. Our sewer connects to the city through a pump station; we have had two failures in the last ten years. We are living on borrowed time with the inadequacy of the current infrastructure.
Our proposal to rezone includes partnering with the adjacent land owners to build an access road off Kickapoo Creek Road. It will be a picturesque drive that runs in the adjacent land on the hill side and comes into the Temple parking lot. It will bring with it sewer and water from the creek basin. The infrastructure will be more robust and paves the way for further development of Temple land. Such infrastructure is commonly privately funded and with Temple’s tax exempt status, public funding is simply not available. The adjacent land owners will participate in the funding by building taxpaying elderly condominiums in Temple’s adjacent land. With the land vacant for decades, habitation will bring stability and security. The development will include a large patio Yagashala with a pavilion, formation of three lakes, a park with pavilions and jogging/walking trails. There will be sufficient land allocated to double our parking space, construction of a Mahadwara and a scenic spot for a future multi functional community center that can house Day Care Center, Yoga/Meditation Center and a Banquet Hall.
The entire plan was unveiled as Temple’s Vision 2020 at this year’s Ganesha Festival.
We will keep you informed as we progress.
Temple Hill.pdf
