Project Next to Muslim Association Saratoga Property Moves Forward

The West Valley Muslim Association operates out of a small, unassuming storefront at 12370 Saratoga-Sunnyvale Rd. in Saratoga's Azule Crossing Shopping Center amid insurance agencies and hair salons.

Members can use this location to participate in community potlucks, youth center games, as well in observing five daily prayers.

The nonprofit association also rents out the Saratoga Prospect Center, 19848 Prospect Rd., for Friday evening prayers and for special events such as the culmination of Ramadan.

The group has been working hard to raise capital funds to purchase land to build a new "masjid," or mosque and community center for its members.

Saratoga Community Development Director James Lindsay said currently an applicant has come forward with plans to develop a one-acre-plus parcel of land at 12250 Saratoga-Sunnyvale Rd., right next to property owned by the association, but the projects are not related.

Applicant Times-Space Investment Development LLC. wants to build an approximately 26,000-square-foot, two-story building that will have a day care center, office and retail space.

Lindsay said originally there was a plan for the two groups to come in together to seek the city's approval to build both properties at once, but that didn't work out and now Times-Space is moving forward with its project and the association is still working out its proposal.

"There's a warehouse building and office space there now," Lindsay said about the Times-Space property, clarifying that the association doesn't have a proposal yet for its future center, which would probably be built next door.

The back portion of the 12250 Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road project will be for the day care center and the front portion for office and retail uses, Lindsay said.

York Le, a representative of the Times-Space project, confirmed his project has been submitted to the city for consideration and the Saratoga Planning Commission will hold a study session to review it at 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17 at the Saratoga Community Center, next to Saratoga City Hall, 19655 Allendale Ave.

Lindsay said Times-Space presented its plans to the city in October and his office held a neighborhood meeting Tuesday evening, Dec. 4 to allow the public to review the plans. No public hearings have been scheduled yet.

If all goes well and planners OK the proposal, a vote on the project could be coming at the beginning of 2013, he added.

"We're still reviewing it," he said. "Those concerned should attend the meeting on Dec. 17, but it's not a public hearing, it's a study session."

The WVMA association serves Muslims in Saratoga, Sunnyvale, Campbell and Cupertino.

Emails and phone calls seeking comment from WVMA representatives weren't immediately returned.