Sikh Religious Society proposes new, 20,000-square-foot place of worship in Brookfield
The Sikh Religious Society of Wisconsin plans to build a more traditional place of worship on a plot of land adjacent to its current building at 3675 N. Calhoun Road. The new building would be over twice as large as its existing one.
The vacant parcel at 3625 N. Calhoun would be the site for a three-story, 20,352-square-foot gurdwara, a Sikh place of worship.
After a public hearing on an initial proposal May 8, the SRS, along with Patera Architecture and Engineering, resubmitted its proposal to include demolishing its existing building.
The building was originally planned to remain standing and serve as additional space for children's activities, the SRS previously told Brookfield's plan commission.
Besides questioning the future of the existing building, the public's concerns at the May 8 hearing included the proposed building's three-story height and its impact on the surrounding neighborhood.
"I moved into this neighborhood because of its natural beauty and peacefulness it offers," said Brookfield resident Paul Leow in a letter to city officials that opposed the development. "Since that time, our street has been widened and traffic greatly increased, thus reducing the peacefulness."
After another Sept. 11 public hearing, the project will be up for plan commission approval on Oct. 9, city documents show.
Under Wisconsin Act 67, a conditional use permit cannot be denied for the project if it meets all ordinance requirements and conditions imposed.
Current building is undersized and 'nondescript for the society,' proposal says
The SRS has operated out of its building for over 26 years and it's time for a much-needed change, its proposal submitted to Brookfield's plan commission said.
"Originally built as a Baptist church in 1961, the current building is undersized, deteriorating, and nondescript for the society," the SRS proposal said.
The new building's traditional elements include dome-shaped roofs and octagon-shaped clerestories.
"Births, deaths, and weddings will be observed regularly, as well as several special religious gatherings throughout the year," the proposal said.
More space will allow for a library, classrooms, administrative offices, meeting rooms, four apartment units and a dining hall with a full kitchen.
An exact timeline and cost for the project is unknown at this time, former trustee and president of the Brookfield gurdwara Parvinder Sangha told the Journal Sentinel.
"As the saying goes," Sangha said, "we would have liked to have this new building yesterday."
Quinn Clark can be emailed at QClark@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @Quinn_A_Clark.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Sikh Religious Society of Wisconsin proposes new building in Brookfield
