Norco City Council members doubled down on their decision to reject a Hindu temple Wednesday despite accusations of cultural discrimination and threats of a lawsuit.
City leaders first voted to block the 3,700 square-foot structure on July 6. The project presented some size, drainage and parking problems, which is fair enough. But some residents and council members also expressed concerns that it didn’t mesh with the city’s “western aesthetic.”
Norco, known colloquially as “Horsetown USA,” has been featured in dozens of Western films and TV shows over the years, including Go West, Young Man and Harper Valley PTA. And they’ve been actively courting the industry to step up shooting in the area.
Nevertheless, the western motif explanation did not sit well with the project’s director Manu Patolia.
“Which buildings are a Western look?” Patolia asked after the initial denial. “City Hall is not Western, the school district is not Western. Why are they forcing us to look Western? Still, we were willing to change that. But they were looking for some reason to deny it.”
Under a plan by City Manager Andy Okoro, a committee would have been created to give temple proponents another chance to meet the city’s requirements. Okoro also hoped it would clarify that the main issue, as far as the planning commissioners and city council are concerned, is with the size, drainage and parking issues.
Okoro’s idea was rejected in a 4-0 vote, however. That decision has only further convinced Patolia that city leaders just don’t want a Hindu temple in their midst.
“This is clearly, clearly, violating some of our fundamental rights,” he said. “We had some hope from [Okoro’s] proposal, but not anymore. We’re quiet, peace-loving people. Those who live quiet and peacefully, they have no rights. When you get loud, then the city will listen.”
Okoro says he understands why the plan was rejected, as it could have set a poor precedent. The temple’s leaders can still meet with the council as they please, he added, and may reapply for a building permit in one year.
Read more about the controversy here.
Image Credit: Flickr User danielleblue, https://flic.kr/p/dQdNo via (CC BY-SA 2.0)