The planning commission in Mendocino County, California, is scheduled to consider a zoning variance today that would allow Rangjung Yeshe Gomde California to build a traditional Tibetan Buddhist temple rising more than 22 meters near the rural community of Leggett in Northern California.

The proposed 22.6-meter temple would be more than twice the 10.7-meter maximum height normally permitted under the property’s suburban residential zoning. County planning staff have recommended approval, citing the unusual size, topography, location, and wooded surroundings of the site. A separate report on the proposal confirmed that commissioners would consider the variance on 15 October.

Rangjung Yeshe Gomde California is a center for Buddhist study and practice under the spiritual direction of Tibetan Buddhist teacher Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche. The center emphasizes teachings from the Chokling Tersar lineage and offers programs in Buddhist philosophy, meditation, and Vajrayana practice.

The temple is proposed for a collection of plots near US Highway 101 and State Route 271. While the land plots involved in the project encompass approximately 16 hectares, Gomde describes its broader property as encompassing 101 hectares of woodlands, meadows, and bluffs along the Eel River.

Mendocino County planner Matt Goines said that religious assembly was permitted on the property and that the requested variance concerned only the proposed building’s height.

“They’re allowed to do it with just a building permit, so if this project had come in at under 35 feet [10.7 meters] and they did everything else the same, they would essentially just come in for a building permit and get approved as a religious assembly. . . . The only thing that really is the issue is the height.” (The Press Democrat)

County planners said the unusually tall structure would have limited visual impact because of the site’s topography and mature forest. The temple would be positioned in a meadow below surrounding hills and more than 305 meters from neighboring residences. Trees in the area reportedly exceed 30.5 meters in height.

“The combination of the property’s large size, pronounced topography, substantial separation from neighboring development, interior location, and surrounding mature forest distinguishes the site from a typical developed suburban residential property,” the county staff report stated. “These characteristics are physical circumstances applicable to the property itself and are particularly relevant to the requested height variance because they substantially reduce the visibility and off-site effects normally associated with increased building height.” (The Press Democrat)

The proposal has drawn significant public support. A letter submitted with the application reportedly carried 36 signatures. Goines said the level of interest had surprised county officials.

“We’ve had an incredible amount of support. It was wild,” Goines said. “It was really touching to see how many people came out to support this, local and non-local people. That was really surprising to me, how many people were able to chime in.” (The Press Democrat)

Goines also suggested that expansion of the Buddhist center could bring economic benefits to Leggett, a small rural community that has experienced a substantial population decline.

“Smaller rural communities struggle, especially right now,” Goines said. “So anybody who is in a rural community like this and is looking to invest some money into it and try to have people come in . . . and possibly help boost some of the local economy and stores in town, I think that the planning department and the building department should do what they can to help them achieve those goals.” (The Press Democrat)

Gomde California was founded by Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche in 1998 and today hosts retreats, academic programs, meditation instruction, and visits by Tibetan Buddhist teachers. The organization has previously described plans for a larger campus that would eventually include accommodation, classrooms, dining facilities, and a temple capable of seating some 400 people.

See more

Mendocino County Planning Commission to weigh 74-foot Tibetan temple near Leggett (The Mendocino Voice)
74-foot traditional Tibetan Buddhist temple coming to Leggett (The Press Democrat)
About Us (Gomde California)

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