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What’s going on with the construction of the Triad Hindu Temple on Alcorn Road in Oak Ridge? The drawing I saw on a website a long time ago showed a large, ornate building that looks nothing like what’s currently under construction. Have the plans changed?

No, the plans haven’t changed. Maran Namasivayam, a member of Triad Hindu Temple’s board of directors and the construction leader, told the Northwest Observer last week that “construction of the temple is divided into multiple phases.”

The team is currently working on the first phase of the project, which includes the parking lot, septic system, well, toilet and water retention system. The building that’s nearing completion is the Balalayam, a smaller assembly hall with an occupancy of 200 people.

“This phase is 80 percent complete and (we’re) trying to get the occupancy certificate before the end of February 2021,” said Namasivayam, adding that weather and resources could delay the timeline.

Phase 2 is divided into subphases involving the larger structure. Some of the work has already started or will be starting soon. Weather and funding will determine how quickly the temple will be completed.

According to Triad Hindu Temple’s website, organizers hope to raise at least $150,000 this month, “on the occasion of Balalayam opening, and

Photo courtesy of Hindu Society of North Carolina (Triad) An artist rendering of the future Triad Hindu Temple on Alcorn Road in Oak Ridge. The temple will be built in phases, with the fi rst phase nearing completion.

Photo by Annette Joyce/NWO Members of Triad Hindu Temple hope to have an occupancy certifi cate for the fi rst phase of their temple by the end of this month.

$500,000 by June 2021 to keep up with the phases.”

To view a project video, visit www. triadhindutemple.com.

As part of its motion during the Feb. 9 meeting, the council instructed town staff to come back with a rezoning proposal that would place restrictions on how the town uses the property. At the recommendation of the Zoning Board, staff plans to propose a general business district with conditions, according to Chris York, the town’s planning manager.

The conditional zoning would restrict development to uses such as government offices, a library, a museum and a public park or recreational facility, York told the council. Staff plans to present the new request to the Zoning Board Feb. 22 and bring it back to the council March 9, delaying the rezoning of the property by a month.

“It is frustrating to have to go back through the whole process, but I do think the Zoning Board made the right call,” Councilman Reece Walker said. “The Zoning Board did a great job with that catch.”

The rezoning request was unusual in that the town of Summerfield owns the property at 7818 Summerfield Road where it plans to build the town hall. As a result, the town applied for the rezoning, whereas most rezoning requests originate from individual landowners or developers seeking to build subdivisions or commercial projects.

Council member Teresa Pegram asked York and Town Manager Scott Whitaker why they hadn’t consulted with the council before initially proposing rezoning the property from two residential classifications – RS-30 and Town Core District – to General Business.

“You would be asking staff to propose an appropriate district, and we did that,” Whitaker said. “Ultimately, you’re going to be asking staff anyway ‘where do you think we need to go here?”’

Mayor Pro Tem Tim Sessoms said Whitaker made “a great point. You would ask us and then we would ask you” how to proceed with the rezoning.

In the end, Sessoms said he appreciated the Zoning Board’s vote against recommending rezoning the tract for general business.

“We look to you and your expertise to make the best call,” Mayor BJ Barnes said he likes the idea of “natural ele- The council resumed discussions told Whitaker. “In this particular one, this ments” in the building. about the design of the town hall during is something that fell through the cracks. “It reminds me more of our parks,” its annual strategic planning retreat last It will be rectified hopefully in the March he said. “The difference is really nice and Saturday, Feb. 13. It decided to enlarge meeting.” refreshing.” the council chambers by 75 square feet,

York said rezoning the property for Supino, who is managing the Sum- adding the space behind the raised dais public-institutional (PI) use wouldn’t be merfield project for Creech, said revisions where the council members will sit. appropriate because of the size of town hall, of the design will incorporate town lead- The additional space will accommoestimated at roughly 9,000 square feet. ers’ recommendations such as the choice date a conference room exclusively for

The PI classification is typically suit- of building materials. the council to meet for closed sessions. able for “very large public institutional After looking at the renderings, Council members decided they want a facilities, something like you’d find at the Pegram asked, “Is that a government separate conference room for executive coliseum complex or a school,” York said. building or is that a church?” sessions instead of using a conference Councilman John O’Day said he thinks submitting a new rezoning request “is just a waste of time” because he doesn’t believe the council would ever sell or subdivide or develop the property, even if it were zoned for general business use. Mayor Barnes said he likes that the building will open to two courtyards – one at the front entrance and a second accessible from the council chambers – and he envisions hosting outdoor activities on the property. room for public meetings planned for the back of the chambers. Giving the council its own room creates “a professional setting,” Barnes said. “It’s not to try to avoid the public by any means.” O’Day joined Pegram in voting against withdrawing the rezoning request. In an NOW HIRING MANAGERS AND CREW interview, Pegram said she voted nay because she opposes construction of the new building, estimated to cost $3.5 million. Jumpstart your During last week’s meeting, architectural firm Creech & Associates presented future today. future today. its initial renderings of the town hall, Apply today to join our team! showing a single-level building made of stone, planks and timbers. The building would be located on a hill, with tall rect✓ ✓ Competitive starting wage Flexible hours McDonald’s Oak Ridge 8000 Marketplace Drive angular windows giving views of U.S. 220 to the east and undeveloped land elsewhere on the property. ✓ ✓ Paid time off Career advancement opportunities 3 EASY WAYS TO APPLY: 1. Apply online at careers.mcdonalds.com “It is a very prominent site; it gives good visibility,” Creech principal Michael Supino told the council. “Hopefully this is ✓ ✓ Employee discount program Up to $3,000 per year in college 2. 3. Text NC549 to number 38000 Stop by our location to a building the community is proud of. It tuition assistance apply gives you a good way to show it to people passing by on 220.”

The design drew mixed reviews from council members. Lynne Williams DeVaney objected to 35,000+ 7,250+ GRADUATES the predominance of stone and wood, saying she’d prefer the use of bricks McDonald’s Archways to Opportunity Restaurant employees awarded College Tuition Assistance from English Under the Arches since 2007 prevalent in historic Summerfield build- offers educational programs to eligible ings, such as the current Town Hall just employees at participating restaurants. west of the site. “This doesn’t tie in,” DeVaney said. “I LEARN MORE AT $90 MILLION+ really, truly think it needs to look more in keeping with what we have.” Sessoms pointed out that the historic archwaystoopportunity.com Employees are eligible for tuition assistance 90 days after hire Graduates in the Career Online High School Program Awarded in High School and College Tuition Assistance rock gym at Summerfield Elementary The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996 School is made of the same materials proposed for the new town hall. O’Day FEB. 18 - MARCH 3, 2021 5