When the early settlers came out West, the first thing they did was build a church with an adjacent cemetery. That was their commitment to their new abode, then as well as in the Hereafter. Those quaint churches and cemeteries now dot our countryside, each with its own rich history and interesting stories to tell.
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Today, the Muslim community of South County is following in that very American tradition in submitting our application for a religious facility, including a cemetery, on a 16-acre parcel along Monterey Highway in San Martin at the boundary with Morgan Hill.
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Our first application in 2012 was approved unanimously by the County Board of Supervisors but was held back by–what else?–a lawsuit. It was settled and six long years later we submitted a new one complete with an expensive (at our expense) environmental impact report (EIR). The draft report is available at the County’s website.
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The EIR finds no significant environmental impact with respect to such critical issues as groundwater contamination, noise, light and traffic.
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Some argue that our facility would be “too big” for rural San Martin. “Size matters!” is their mantra, and utter that without even blushing!
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A quiet Sunday drive in San Martin would reveal many single-family homes that are even larger than our proposed facility. And ours would serve a hundred families! A couple of blocks south is one of the county’s largest shelters for homeless families. Size is dependent on and matters only with your needs.
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Some claim a cemetery is unsuitable for the site. If Anderson Dam were to burst, South County would be underwater but our property would remain dry. It is not in the flood zone as per FEMA, and a hill separates the site from Llagas Creek basin.
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Our facility would subscribe to the ecologically-sound “green” cemetery movement. That means no contamination from embalming fluids, lacquered coffins and other toxic chemicals. Nor will there be crypts or above-ground monuments.
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The cemetery would enhance the open space ambiance of the landscape. That area is zoned rural residential/commercial/industrial and we are not seeking any variance. For perspective, as well as consideration for other possible uses of this parcel, consider the junk-car yard and the South County Waste Transfer Station and its percolation ponds across Monterey Highway.
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We seek the support of the community for our project and urge the County to accept the EIR and approve our application.
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M. Bakri Musa is a long-time local surgeon and a former president of South Valley Islamic Community. To contact the author or request more information about the Cordoba Center proposal, email
in**@co***********.org
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Editor’s note: Santa Clara County officials will host a public meeting 7 to 9pm July 12 to receive comments on the draft EIR for the Cordoba Center proposal. The meeting will take place at the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey Road.
