Los Gatos planning commission approves modified conditional use permit for Farley Road mosque after neighbor concerns; vote 4–1

The Town of Los Gatos Planning Commission on May 21 approved changes to Conditional Use Permit U 24 10 for the property at 16769 Farley Road, voting 4–1 to adopt exhibit 47 and revised conditions after public comment and amendments that clarified hours, parking and neighborhood protections.

The commission moved to approve the permit modification with edits the chair said were intended to address "vehicle and pedestrian safety risks in the neighborhood" and to ensure conditions "crafted to mitigate material sound and light pollution" are the least expensive means to address the town's governmental interest. The motion incorporated a revised resolution (exhibit 47) and changes in attachment A, and removed a requirement that parking attendants operate in the public street.

Neighbors and other residents spoke repeatedly during the meeting's public-comment portion, pressing the commission for clearer definitions and stricter limits. "It is about compatibility," said Mary Hogan, a nearby resident, urging the commission to protect the nighttime character of the neighborhood after describing attendees leaving the site at 9–10 p.m. with headlights and amplified activity. Courtney, another resident, asked commissioners to "get the numbers right" by collecting traffic and occupancy data during Ramadan to capture true peak usage.

Opponents also raised legal concerns. Razi told the commission the staff changes to specify "worship services" and to consolidate an ending time risked violating the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) and urged the commission to ensure equal treatment and least-restrictive means before finalizing conditions. Town Attorney Paulson said many redline edits responded to correspondence and prior meetings and that one clarifying change was intended to make clear expanded hours are to accommodate prayers rather than other gatherings.

The commission debated technical fixes to the conditions. Commissioner Stump moved — and the commission accepted — an amendment to note explicitly that the mosque provides at least 180 on-site parking spaces in condition 26. Commissioners also proposed edits that require replacing a right-turn-only sign at the site egress with a left-turn-only sign, clarified parking exceptions for leaders and their guests, and set setbacks for vendors and perimeter landscaping adjacent to residences.

Commissioner Burnette voted against the motion, saying he could not make the required findings based on the materials and testimony and expressing concern about potential sleep and health impacts from extended nightly departures. "The request, if approved, will directly impact the physical and mental health of this small community," Burnette said.

The motion, as amended, passed on a 4–1 vote. Staff recited appeal rights after the decision; any interested person may appeal to the Town Council within 10 days.

The commission adjourned the special meeting after the vote.