Los Angeles: A Sikh temple in the US is facing opposition from local residents as it plans to replace a prayer hall with a 12,000-square-foot building with gold domes, the second such incident in a month in the area. Sri Guru Ravidass Temple in Sacramento County in California wants to construct the new building but residents have shown up twice before a community planning board to oppose the project. The residents of Rio Linda are concerned about drainage and parking, among other things, the Sacramento Bee reported. Temple supporters question whether race has played a role in the opposition, especially because churches have had relatively fewer problems getting projects approved in the county.

Opponents of the project and county officials deny claims of racism, saying complaints raised are not unusual. The Community Planning Advisory Council is scheduled to hear the proposal for a third time on Wednesday. Opposition in Rio Linda comes only a month after residents near Galt persuaded the Board of Supervisors to reject construction of another temple. "When someone keeps complaining without reason, then you might guess that racism is the reason," county resident Ramesh Banger said. Residents raised complaints about the temple using properties adjacent to the prayer hall. They complained about drainage on the temple property, because flooding is a perennial concern in Rio Linda, the news report said.

Charlea Moore, a member of the Community Planning Advisory Council, said neighbours have legitimate concerns about the project, but she thinks they can be resolved. In the last 15 years, churches have occasionally faced neighbourhood opposition when proposing expansions, according to records on the county planning division website.