PREPARED BY: Jocelyn Shoopman
Senior Planner
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, Town Attorney, and Finance Director 110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832 www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 08/18/2026
ITEM NO: 08
ADDENDUM 2
DATE: August 17, 2026
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Chris Constantin, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Consider Request to Continue Public Hearing for Appeals or Hear the Appeals of the Planning Commission Decision to Approve a Request for Modification of an Existing Conditional Use Permit for Expanded Hours of Operation in an Institution for Religious Observance (West Valley Muslim Association) on Property Zoned R-1:8. Located at 16769 Farley Road. APN 424-21-062. Categorically Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301: Existing Facilities. Property Owner: West Valley Muslim Association, Osmar Ghafoor, President. Applicant/Appellant 1: Razi
Mohiuddin. Appellant 2: Farley Road Neighborhood Coalition. Project Planner: Jocelyn Shoopman.
REMARKS:
Additional information from Appellant 2 is provided in Attachments 36 and 37.
A traffic engineering assessment on behalf of Appellant 2, the Farley Road Neighborhood Coalition was provided and included as Attachment 38.
Public comments received between 3:01 p.m., Friday, August 14, 2026, and 3:00 p.m., Monday, August 17, 2026, are included as Attachment 39.
An inquiry was received regarding the applicability of a Conditional Use Permit and who is eligible to file an appeal on this application.
Section 29.20.185 (3)(c) of the Zoning Code states that a church, monastery, convent, or other institutions for religious observance is permitted with a Conditional Use Permit in the R1 zoning district. The subject site is zoned R-1:8.
PAGE 2 OF 3
SUBJECT: 16769 Farley Road/U-24-010
DATE: August 17, 2026
Pursuant to the Town Code, any interested person as defined in Section 29.10.020 may appeal to the Town Council any decision of the Planning Commission. An interested person is defined as:
1. Residential projects. Any person or persons or entity or entities who own property or reside within 1,000 feet of a property for which a decision has been rendered, and can demonstrate that their property will be injured by the decision.
2. Non-residential and mixed-use projects. Any person or persons or entity or entities who can demonstrate that their property will be injured by the decision.
The subject application is considered to be a non-residential project.
Three appeal forms were submitted. However, only two of the appeals met the requirements for submission of an appeal, which includes the payment of the appeal fee and an explanation of how their property would be affected by the decision. As a result, only the two appeals meeting the requirements were accepted.
ATTACHMENTS:
Previously Received with the August 18, 2026, Staff Report:
1. March 25, 2026, Planning Commission Staff Report, with Exhibits 1 through 11
2. March 25, 2026, Planning Commission Addendum Report, with Exhibit 12
3. March 25, 2026, Planning Commission Addendum Report 2, with Exhibit 13
4. March 25, 2026, Planning Commission Desk Item Report, with Exhibits 14 through 16
5. March 25, 2026, Planning Commission Verbatim Minutes
6. March 31, 2026, Planning Commission Staff Report, with Exhibit 17
7. March 31, 2026, Planning Commission Addendum Report, with Exhibit 18
8. March 31, 2026, Planning Commission Desk Item Report, with Exhibits 19 through 23
9. March 31, 2026, Planning Commission Verbatim Minutes
10. April 22, 2026, Planning Commission Staff Report, with Exhibits 24 through 26
11. April 22, 2026, Planning Commission Addendum Report, with Exhibits 27 and 28
12. April 22, 2026, Planning Commission Addendum Report 2, with Exhibit 29
13. April 22, 2026, Planning Commission Desk Item Report, with Exhibits 30 through 33
14. April 22, 2026, Planning Commission Verbatim Minutes
15. May 13, 2026, Planning Commission Staff Report, with Exhibits 34 through 37
16. May 13, 2026, Planning Commission Addendum Report, with Exhibits 38 and 39
17. May 13, 2026, Planning Commission Desk Item Report, with Exhibits 40 through 43
18. May 13, 2026, Planning Commission Verbatim Minutes
19. May 21, 2026, Planning Commission Staff Report, with Exhibits 44 through 46
20. May 21, 2026, Planning Commission Addendum Report, with Exhibits 47 through 49
21. May 21, 2026, Planning Commission Desk Item Report, with Exhibits 50 and 51
22. May 21, 2026, Planning Commission Verbatim Minutes
PAGE 3 OF 3
SUBJECT: 16769 Farley Road/U-24-010
DATE: August 17, 2026
23. June 16, 2026, Town Council Staff Report
24. June 16, 2026, Town Council Addendum Report with Attachment 1
25. Appeal of the Planning Commission Decision 1, received June 1, 2026
26. Appeal of the Planning Commission Decision 2, received June 1, 2026
27. Additional Information from Appellant 2, received June 12, 2026
28. Track Changes Draft Modified Resolution to Deny the Appeals and Approve the Application Subject to the Modified Conditions of Approval (included as Exhibit A)
29. Draft Modified Resolution to Deny the Appeals and Approve the Application Subject to the Modified Conditions of Approval (included as Exhibit A)
30. Draft Resolution to Grant the Appeals and Remand the Project to the Planning Commission
31. Public Comments Received Between 11:01 a.m., Thursday, May 21, 2026, and 3:00 p.m., Thursday, August 13, 2026
32. Appellant 1 Request for Continuance
33. Appellant 2 Response
Previously Received with the August 14, 2026, Addendum Report:
34. Supplemental Information from Appellant 2
35. Public Comments received by 3:00 pm, Friday, August 14, 2026 Received with this Addendum 2 Report:
36. Additional Information from Appellant 2
37. Supplemental Information from Appellant 2
38. Traffic Engineering Assessment Report from Appellant 2
39. Public Comments Received Between 3:01 p.m., Friday, August 14, 2026, and 3:00 p.m., Monday, August 17, 2026
From: Farley Road Neighborhood Coalition < >
Sent: Monday, August 17, 2026 10:53 AM
To: Jocelyn Shoopman <[email protected]>; Alexa Nolder <[email protected]>; Planning <[email protected]>; Chris Constantin <[email protected]>; Gabrielle Whelan <[email protected]>
Cc: Allen Meyer <[email protected]>; Sean Mullin <[email protected]>; Joel Paulson <[email protected]>; Town Manager <[email protected]> Subject: Existing CUP Already Accommodates Prayer Times Dear Town of Los Gatos Planning Commission and Town Council, We are writing on behalf of the neighbors surrounding 16769 Farley Road to submit our formal response to WVMA's CUP modification request, Application U-24-010.
Our response is not a challenge to WVMA's right to worship. Our concern is with the scope and permanence of what is being requested. Using WVMA's own application data from pages 12 and 17 (WVMA Revised Letter of Justification - 16769 Farley Rd.), we prepared the chart below, which breaks down each time period alongside our recommendation.
Our four findings are straightforward:
1. General months, August through May — Prayer ends by 8:55 PM, leaving over one hour of buffer before the current 10:00 PM limit. No extension is needed.
2. Summer months, May through August — This is the only window where a modest extension may be warranted. If granted at all, it must be a seasonal trigger tied to specific solar conditions — not a blanket year-round allowance affecting all 365 nights.
3. Ramadan 2026 through 2039 — Prayer concludes well before 9:00 PM, leaving over two hours of buffer under the existing 11:00 PM Ramadan limit. The current CUP fully covers this 13-year window with no undue burden and no modification needed.
4. Ramadan 2040 through 2054 — This is the only scenario with any genuine tension/burden and it does not begin for over 14 years. Under Town Code § 29.20.190 and California Government Code § 65860, zoning decisions must be based on current, demonstrated conditions — not speculative impacts decades away.
We ask that this request be denied and that WVMA return for a new CUP approval when the time approaches. This extension will allow the Town to monitor real-time impacts during peak usage and gather objective third-party data. RLUIPA requires the Town to articulate impact and show any condition is the least restrictive means.
Respectfully submitted,
Farley Road Neighborhood Coalition
See chart below — When Does Prayer Actually End vs. What the CUP Allows? ATTACHMENT 36
From WVMA’s WVMA Revised Letter of Justification - 16769 Farley Rd. Page 12 and Page 17:
From: Farley Road Neighborhood Coalition < >
Sent: Monday, August 17, 2026 11:39 AM
To: Jocelyn Shoopman <[email protected]>; Alexa Nolder <[email protected]>; Planning <[email protected]>; Chris Constantin <[email protected]>; Gabrielle Whelan <[email protected]>
Cc: Allen Meyer <[email protected]>; Sean Mullin <[email protected]>; Joel Paulson <[email protected]>; Town Manager <[email protected]> Subject: Request for Official Notice Under Evidence Code 452-453 and Town Code 29.20.275 I. REQUEST FOR OFFICIAL NOTICE
FRNC respectfully requests Council take official notice of the following first-hand testimony and party admissions already in administrative record or from WVMA's own official websites. This evidence is relevant to Finding 1 (Town Code 29.20.190) - whether use is essential/desirable to public convenience/welfare and neighborhood-serving vs. regional draw - and to Finding 3 traffic compatibility on Farley Road, an R-1:8 local street with no sidewalks, gutters, or uniform width.
II. EVIDENCE ITEMS
Item 1 - Supporter Drives Father from Palo Alto During Ramadan - March 25, 2026 Verbatim p.87
Quote (verbatim transcript, 178 pages, created Aug 10, 2026, DocumentCenter ID 46893):
"My own father who helped build many community centers across the bay still asks me to bring him to WVMA from Palo Alto during Ramadan, just because he loves the intimate nature of praying there. Now, I’m not asking this community to help me drive my dad from Palo Alto, I’ll continue to take care of that myself..."
Source: March_25_2026_Planning_Commission_Verbatim_Minutes.pdf p.87 lines 6-11 Relevance: Admission from WVMA supporter that attendees travel from Palo Alto (20+ miles) to Los Gatos site. Demonstrates regional draw, not neighborhood-serving. Under RLUIPA factor 'alternative properties reasonably available,' Palo Alto has mosques closer than Farley Road.
Increases VMT and parking demand on R-1:8 street.
Item 2 - 1.5-Hour Compressed Window to Break Fast and Drive - March 25, 2026 Verbatim p.14
Quote from Applicant Razi Mohiuddin:
"What happens is the way Ramadan works is you typically break your fast at sunset, and about an hour-and-a-half later you start the nightly prayers, so we have about an hour-and-a-half in order to do the following things: we have to break our fast; we have to pray the sunset prayer; we have to eat dinner; we have to prepare our families, and especially if we have young children ATTACHMENT 37
and others, to get ready; and then we have to drive over to the facility in order to do that, all in a matter of one-and-a-half hours. That is very, very difficult to do, even today, within that period of time."
Source: March_25_2026_Planning_Commission_Verbatim_Minutes.pdf p.14 lines 16-24 - Same document as above
Relevance: Applicant's own explanation why traffic is compressed and shuttle won't work (adds 30+ minutes). Shows intensity: 5 daily prayers plus dinner plus family prep plus drive all in 90 minutes = peak vehicle trips concentrated 6:30-8:00pm. Supports need for traffic study during actual Ramadan conditions, not off-season. Basis for pause-until-after-Ramadan-2027 request as least restrictive means.
Item 3 - WVMA Official Description of Service Area - 5 Cities + 2 Other Sites Quote 3A - Every.org verified nonprofit profile (controlled by WVMA, EIN 26-1328437):
"WVMA serves the Muslim communities of Saratoga, Los Gatos, Cupertino, Sunnyvale, and Campbell. We offer five daily prayers, regular Jumuah prayers, weekly halaqa, youth programs, and community events."
"We hold Friday Prayers at the Saratoga Prospect Center located at 19848 Prospect Road, Saratoga CA 95070, and five daily prayers at our Saratoga masjid, located at 12370 SaratogaSunnyvale Road, Saratoga CA 95070. We also hold five daily prayers along with Jumma at our Los Gatos Islamic Center located at 16769 Farley Rd, Los Gatos CA." Source: https://every.org/wvma - Accessed August 11, 2026 - WVMA Tax ID #26-1328437 - Every.org is official fundraising platform where nonprofit controls content Quote 3B - WVMA NationBuilder Official Site:
"WVMA serves the Muslim communities of Saratoga, Los Gatos, Cupertino, Sunnyvale, and Campbell. We offer five daily prayers, regular Jummu'ah prayers, weekly halaqa, youth programs and community events. We hold Friday Prayers at the Saratoga Prospect Center located at 19848 Prospect Road, Saratoga CA 95070, and five daily prayers at our Saratoga masjid, located at 12370 Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road, Saratoga CA 95070. We also hold five daily prayers along with Jumma at our Los Gatos Islamic Center located at: 16769 Farley Rd, Los Gatos CA." Source: https://wvma.nationbuilder.com/about - Accessed August 11, 2026 Quote 3C - wvmuslim.org About Us - Shows Multi-Site Operation (even though 5-city list not on this specific URL as of Aug 11, 2026, it shows regional structure):
"Nestled in the scenic hills of Los Gatos, WVMA's main location, Los Gatos Islamic Center (LGIC), serves as a hub for prayer, education, and fellowship. In addition to daily prayers and Friday services, LGIC offers diverse programs..." "WVMA also hosts services at: Saratoga Prospect Center – Home to our Friday congregational prayers. Saratoga Musalla – A dedicated space for daily prayers (excluding Friday services) and educational programs..." Source: https://wvmuslim.org/about-us/#mission - Accessed August 11, 2026 - Lines show main location plus two Saratoga sites
Relevance: Party admission by WVMA itself that it serves 5 cities (Saratoga, Los Gatos, Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Campbell) plus broader 'West & South San Jose' on other fundraising pages. Operates 3 campuses: LGIC Farley Rd, Saratoga Prospect Center, Saratoga Musalla.
Demonstrates regional-scale institution (not neighborhood-serving as contemplated in 1990 Jehovah's Witness approval for 700 attendees/200 vehicles). Supports Finding 1 analysis: is use essential/desirable to public convenience/welfare of Los Gatos residents when serving 5-city region? Supports traffic compatibility concern: attendees imported from 60+ mile radius to R1:8 street lacking infrastructure, 3,500/week, 5,000/week Ramadan, 900-1,860 vehicles/week.
Under RLUIPA, court considers size/resources, space constraints, whether alternative properties reasonably available, history of efforts to locate. Regional service area supports least restrictive alternative is smaller local facility or Cupertino site in escrow, not expansion of non-conforming intensity in R-1:8. Not discriminatory - compatibility analysis required by General Plan LU-6.
III. OFFICIAL NOTICE REQUEST LANGUAGE FOR FILING
FRNC respectfully requests Town Council take official notice under Evidence Code sections 452- 453 and Town Code 29.20.275 of Items 1-3 above, which are either part of administrative record (March 25 verbatim minutes, 178 pages, DocumentCenter ID 46893, created Aug 10, 2026 per Forensic Certificate Exhibit A) or party admissions from WVMA's official websites (Every.org EIN 26-1328437, NationBuilder). This evidence is relevant to Finding 1 whether use is neighborhood-serving or regional draw and to traffic compatibility on Farley Road, R-1 street.
Thank you,
FRNC
WEST VALLEY MUSLIM ASSOCIATION | Benevity Causes 8/12/26, 1:51 AM https://causes.benevity.org/causes/840-261328437 Page 1 of 2 Mission Statement
Do good, spread good. Live Islam, teach Islam.
About This Cause
The West Valley Muslim Association serves the Muslim
communities of Saratoga, Los Gatos, Cupertino, Sunnyvale, and Campbell. We offer five daily prayers, regular Jummu'ah prayers, weekly halaqa, youth programs and community events. We hold Friday Prayers at the Saratoga Prospect Center located at 19848 Prospect Road, Saratoga CA 95070, and five daily prayers at our Saratoga masjid, located at 12370 Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road, Saratoga CA 95070. We also hold prayers along with Jumma at our Los Gatos Islamic Center located at: 16769 Farley Rd, Los Gatos CA. WVMA is growing - we rely on your generous support to provide religious services, community events, and outreach programs in our community. As a non-profit organization, your donations are tax deductible. They may also be eligible for corporate matching gifts by your employer. Our Tax ID is #26- 1328437.
WEST VALLEY MUSLIM ASSOCIATION
LOS GATOS, California, 95032 United States
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WEST VALLEY MUSLIM ASSOCIATION | Benevity Causes 8/12/26, 1:51 AM https://causes.benevity.org/causes/840-261328437 Page 2 of 2
WEST VALLEY MUSLIM ASSOCIATION
16769 Farley Road
LOS GATOS, California 95032
United States
Phone 6503050723
Website http://www.wvmuslim.org/ (http://www.wvmuslim.org/) Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/westvalleymuslimassociation (https://www.facebook.com/groups/westvalleymuslimassociation) Unique Identifier 261328437
About - WVMA 8/12/26, 1:51 AM
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About
WVMA serves the Muslim communities of Saratoga, Los Gatos, Cupertino, Sunnyvale, and Campbell. We offer five daily prayers, regular Jummu'ah prayers, weekly halaqa, youth programs and community events. We hold Friday Prayers at the Saratoga Prospect Center located at 19848 Prospect Road, Saratoga CA 95070 (https://goo.gl/maps/UXaa8xrmqft), and five daily prayers at our Saratoga masjid, located at 12370 Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road, Saratoga CA 95070 (https://goo.gl/maps/ch6c1MkNM4C2).
We also hold five daily prayers along with Jumma at our Los Gatos Islamic Center located at: 16769 Farley Rd, Los Gatos CA (https://goo.gl/maps/VttsRZDTZxN2).
WVMA is growing - we rely on your generous support to provide religious services, community events, and outreach programs in our community. As a non-profit organization, your donations are tax deductible. They may also be eligible for corporate matching gifts by your employer. Our Tax ID is #26-1328437.
Click Here to Become a member (https://wvma.wufoo.com/forms/zdxz1u11yandt1/) for Hijri year 1443H (May 13, 2021 - May 1, 2022).
View the WVMA Constitution
(https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/wvma/pages/1/attachments/original/1526857867/WVMA_Constitution_v1_1%281%29.pdf? 1526857867).
Mailing Address
West Valley Muslim Association (https://goo.gl/maps/UG5BcS2GnPQ2) 16769 Farley Rd., Los Gatos, CA 95032
Phone: (408) 805-4560
President: Hisham Izzeldin
Board of Directors
Questions/Comments/Inquiries: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) Meeting Minutes (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B2ldLOdOSDYuYmYxLTF0OTRKUk0) Ahmed
Mohammad Subeh
Melissa
Naheed
Iftikhar
Aamir
Board of Trustees
Questions/Comments/Inquiries: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) Meeting Minutes
(https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B2ldLOdOSDYufmgzdWt5QlBFLWFTdzI4eHhjMXY1YzhacVNmUUhVbGtNWlRhSlVkYllFazQ) Samina Chaudhry
Zaheer Mohiuddin
Yacoub Elziq
Faculty and Operations:
Ashfak Saiyed (Operations Manager)
Vision
A place for growth - spiritual, social and personal.
Mission
Do good, spread good. Live Islam, teach Islam.
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Who We Are - 8/12/26, 1:52 AM
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Home » Who We Are
Who We Are
About Us
Mission &
Vision
Our Community
Our
Commitment
Who We Are - 8/12/26, 1:52 AM
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West Valley Muslim Association
(WVMA) is a faith-driven non-profit
(EIN 26-1328437) community
dedicated to worship, learning, and
service. More than just a mosque,
WVMA is a welcoming space where
individuals and families come together
to strengthen their faith, support one
another, and contribute to the greater
good.
About Us
Cupertino Fundrasing Elections Who We Are Services
Programs Connect Give
Help Build Our Cupertino Masjid
Who We Are - 8/12/26, 1:52 AM
https://wvmuslim.org/about-us/#mission Page 3 of 7
A is built on the principles of faith, service, and community. Our missio ure a thriving Muslim community, guided by the Qur’an and Sunnah, w people feel supported, inspired, and empowered to live Islam daily. vision a space for spiritual, social, and personal growth, where individ can strengthen their connection to God, engage in meaningful relatio and contribute positively to society.
Our Mission & Vision
Who We Are - 8/12/26, 1:52 AM
https://wvmuslim.org/about-us/#mission Page 4 of 7
Nestled in the scenic hills of Los
Gatos, WVMA’s main location, Los
Gatos Islamic Center (LGIC), serves
as a hub for prayer, education, and
fellowship. In addition to daily prayers
and Friday services, LGIC offers
diverse programs, a community
garden, and recreational spaces for all
to enjoy.
WVMA also hosts services at:
Saratoga Prospect Center – Home
to our Friday congregational
prayers.
Saratoga Musalla – A dedicated
space for daily prayers (excluding
Friday services) and educational
programs for youth, women, and
the broader community.
Our
Community
Who We Are - 8/12/26, 1:52 AM
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August 17, 2026
Town Council Members by email only > [email protected] Town of Los Gatos
110 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030
RE: Town Council Meeting, August 18, 2026: Item #8 Public Comment Dear Town Council Members:
The Farley Road Neighborhood Coalition (FRNC) engaged me to conduct a traffic engineering assessment of existing access conditions at the West Valley Muslim Association’s Los Gatos Islamic Center (LGIC) at 16769 Farley Road in Los Gatos. This letter presents my summary qualifications and documents my work.
Summary Qualifications
I am a registered Civil Engineer and Traffic Engineer in California and have 45 years of diverse experience across all phases of project delivery, including preliminary assessment, conceptual planning, feasibility analysis, design, and construction. I have demonstrated expertise in transportation, traffic, and transit planning, engineering, and design related to transit-oriented development, transit facilities, parking facilities, roadway and highway improvements, large and small development projects, neighborhood, community, downtown, city, subarea, county, and sub-regional plans, and transit and highway corridors.
Purpose
The purpose of this traffic engineering assessment was to assess existing access conditions at the LGIC based on limited observations, available data, and communications with the Client, the Town, and the West Valley Muslim Association (WVMA).
Scope of Assessment
The assessment included the following activities.
• Review relevant materials regarding the existing WVMA Conditional Use Permit and the proposed modification under consideration by the Town.
• Observe the layout and operational conditions at the LGIC on Farley Road during Friday prayer.
• Conduct two sample peak-hour vehicle and pedestrian counts using the Client’s videos of Farley Road during typical and Ramadan conditions.
• Gather street classifications, traffic data, and crash history from the Town. • Communicate with the Client, Town planning, engineering, and police department staff, the Santa County Fire Department, and WVMA.
KRUPKA CONSULTING
431 Yale Drive | San Mateo, CA | 94402
650.504.2299 | [email protected] | pkrupkaconsulting.com ATTACHMENT 38
Town Council Members, August 17, 2026, Page 2
Findings
Layout and Operational Conditions at the LGIC
The services at the mosque include the customary five daily prayers, community support activities, and programs for all community members.
Site access for vehicles and pedestrians is provided by two one-lane, one-way driveways on Farley Road, inbound abutting the east property line and outbound abutting the west property line. The site has 180 parking spaces that are fully occupied during high-attendance events under typical operations, such as Friday prayer and, during Ramadan, nightly prayers. The WVMA community uses public parking on Farley Road and other connecting neighborhood streets during high-attendance events, and walks to and from the mosque along the roadway shoulders.
Farley Road and connecting neighborhood local streets (Flintridge Drive and Chirco Drive) have two traffic lanes, no centerline striping, parallel parking on both sides, and no continuous sidewalks within a right-of-way width of 40 feet. Flintridge Drive and Chirco Drive have shoulder striping, whereas Farley Road does not.
Two public schools south of Blossom Hill Road serve the neighborhood: Louise Van Meter Elementary School and Raymond J. Fisher Middle School. Their minimum-day and regular dismissal times (approximately Noon and 2:30 p.m./3:00 p.m.) bracket the 1:30 p.m. afternoon prayer time at LGIC. Nearby streets Izorah Way and Los Gatos Boulevard are included in the Walk & Roll to School Suggested Routes for these schools. Student traffic coincides with LGIC traffic leaving afternoon prayer.
WVMA’s Conditional Use Permit stipulates that WVMA is solely responsible for its operations during high-attendance events, including: advance guidance to community members about respectful parking practices such as using on-site parking, carpooling, and avoidance of spillover impacts on surrounding streets; minimizing congregating outside during Quiet Hours; parking lot monitoring; traffic management; driveway operations; and event parking overflow planning.
Traffic Observations
Friday Prayer - I conducted a sample video count of entering traffic and pedestrian traffic at the LGIC entry driveway prior to Friday prayer on July 24, 2026, between 1:10 p.m. and 1:55 p.m. I counted approximately 160 vehicles and 40 pedestrians entering. The site was essentially empty by 2:30 p.m., and I concluded that the same volumes exited the site. I observed orderly, safe movements and minimal conflicts - vehicle/vehicle or vehicle/pedestrian - during this period of essentially continuous inbound flows. For reference and comparison, I calculated the equivalent hourly entering traffic flow to be 215 vehicles and 55 pedestrians.
I viewed four brief Friday prayer videos provided by the FRNC, which were taken November 1, 2024, March 3, 2026, July 3, 2026, and August 14, 2026, and saw conditions similar to those noted above and some conflicts during continuous outbound flows. In the first video, I saw a direct conflict between exiting traffic and pedestrians, and a resident delayed while attempting to leave their driveway. I also noted several instances of LGIC attendees double parking and Town Council Members, August 17, 2026, Page 3
causing other traffic to pass in the opposing traffic lane. I the last video, a double-parked vehicle was stationary at the LGIC entry driveway for 10 minutes while outbound traffic was continuous.
This double parking behavior is a safety risk.
Nightly Prayers During Ramadan - I conducted a sample traffic count using video provided by a Farley Road resident east of the LGIC, taken on March 13, 2026, between 8:20 p.m. and 8:55 p.m. I counted 80 vehicles and 40 pedestrians westbound (entering the LGIC) during a peak ten-minute period (8:40 p.m. to 8:50 p.m.). For reference and comparison, I calculated the equivalent hourly entering traffic flow to be 480 vehicles and 240 pedestrians. I observed continuous inbound flows and safe movements, effectively controlled by the slow-moving queue of traffic, except when arriving vehicles filled available street parking and when through traffic conflicted directly with pedestrians because both shared the same space (the travel lane). This is unsafe.
I viewed five brief evening prayer videos provided by the FRNC, looking at the entering (about 8:00 p.m.) and exiting traffic (about 10:00 to 11:00 p.m.) near the LGIC exit driveway, which were taken February 17, 2026, February 18, 2026, March 11, 2026, March 14, 2026, and March 15, 2026. I observed a chaotic condition, with continuous flows of queued traffic and pedestrians, vehicle/vehicle and vehicle/pedestrian conflicts, and a few LGIC traffic attendants observing and guiding traffic. This is unsafe.
I noted that traffic exiting the site was directed to the right onto Farley Road, which I understand is typically done to channel exiting traffic to the signalized intersection at Los Gatos Boulevard and Chirco Drive via Flintridge Drive, rather than using the uncontrolled intersection at Los Gatos Boulevard and Farley Road, to enhance safety. The trade-off here is a longer travel distance on neighborhood streets and the potential use of Izorah Way and connecting neighborhood streets to reach Los Gatos Boulevard.
Communications with the Fire Department
I spoke with Curtis Ruel of the Santa Clara County Fire Department about his observations on fire response in the LGIC area during periods of high attendance. He said he knew of no occasions when fire response was affected in this area. He noted that the fire department does what it needs to do to respond to all emergencies.
Communications with Town Engineers
I met with Gary Heap, Town Engineer, and Mike Vroman, Town Traffic Engineer, on July 14, 2026, to discuss the LGIC, local neighborhood streets, traffic data, and crash history. They indicated that their involvement in the WVMA Conditional Use Permit includes coordination and meetings with Town staff and community members. They noted that they visited the LGIC site in April 2026 and have not visited the site during Ramadan.
They emphasized that they have no site-specific traffic data because the WVMA Conditional Use Permit did not and does not require any traffic analysis. They noted that they visited the LGIC site in April 2026 and have not visited the site during Ramadan. They indicated that they have viewed the Ramadan videos provided by the FRNC, as I have. They said that the typical neighborhood local street right-of-way width of 40 feet provides ample room for the safe Town Council Members, August 17, 2026, Page 4
movement of vehicles and pedestrians, acknowledged the absence of sidewalks, and concluded that they have no safety concerns.
They talked about the Town’s Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program and the Chirco Neighborhood Existing Traffic Calming project that has been implemented. They noted that they considered an application/petition for related improvements on Flintridge Drive and it did not meet the necessary criteria for implementation. They noted that in 2024, Flintridge Drive carried less than 1,000 vehicles per day.
They provided a transportation analysis for the Whole Foods store at Los Gatos Boulevard and Los Gatos Almaden Road/Chirco Drive, from which I extracted peak period traffic counts for Chirco Drive and estimated that it carried approximately 1,300 vehicles per day.
They reported that, according to the Town Clerk’s official records, there were 13 crashes in this neighborhood between October 2020 and December 2025. Two crashes occurred at a location on Farley Road, as noted below.
• One was a crash without injuries at Farley Road and Los Gatos Boulevard, for which no report was taken
• One was a crash without injuries at the LGIC, 16769 Farley Road, for which no report was taken.
Crash Data
I queried the Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) at UC Berkeley, which provides easy access to the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), for crashes between April 1, 2023 and March 31, 2026, and found no crashes on or near Farley Road. I submitted a Town Public Records Access (PRA) request to the Police Department for collisions and crashes on Farley Road between January 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. The report I received included no records for Farley Road in this neighborhood.
Conclusions
I drew these conclusions from the above findings.
• LGIC traffic movements for Friday prayer were continuous and orderly, with conflicts - vehicle/ vehicle and vehicle/pedestrian - that created safety risks. • LGIC traffic movements for evening prayers during Ramadan were continuous, chaotic, and risky, especially along Farley Road, when arriving vehicles filled available street parking and through traffic conflicted directly with pedestrians because both shared the same space (the travel lane), and at the LGIC driveways, where continuous flows of queued traffic and pedestrians caused numerous vehicle/vehicle and vehicle/pedestrian conflicts. This is unsafe. • Based on my estimated hourly traffic volumes, I expect that LGIC traffic is a substantial component of daily traffic volumes on Farley Road on a typical Friday, and a much larger component on each day of Ramadan. I interpret this as a typical-versus-special-event condition, with typical events occurring each Friday during 11 months of the year and special events occurring daily during Ramadan.
Town Council Members, August 17, 2026, Page 5
• The WVMA community members’ use of street parking appears to be contrary to the WVMA Conditional Use Permit conditions regarding the avoidance of parking spillover effects and event parking overflow planning.
• The Town’s lack of site-specific traffic data is significant. There is no quantitative basis for the Town and WVMA to analyze the actual effects of LGIC high-attendance activities and WVMA Conditional Use Permit conditions on traffic volumes and safety.
Professional Opinion
LGIC activities for evening prayers during Ramadan created unsafe and incompatible conditions on Farley Road and at the LGIC driveways due to conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians, who were forced to share the roadway because parking demand exceeded LGIC parking supply and WVMA community members used virtually all available street parking. These observed parking spillover effects appear to clash with the WVMA Conditional Use Permit conditions regarding the avoidance of parking spillover effects and event parking overflow planning.
I am concerned that this unsafe and incompatible public safety condition will lead to accidents resulting in injuries and fatalities, and that it is in your community’s best interests to study, define, and implement appropriate measures to enhance safety.
Sincerely,
KRUPKA CONSULTING
Paul J. Krupka, PE
Sole Proprietor
Registered Professional Engineer in California > Civil C 47497, Traffic TR 1574 cc: Farley Road Neighborhood Association by email only > From: Kim Ratcliff < >
Sent: Monday, August 17, 2026 2:42 PM
To: Jocelyn Shoopman <[email protected]>; Gabrielle Whelan <[email protected]>; Alexa Nolder <[email protected]>; Planning <[email protected]>; Chris Constantin <[email protected]>; Sblend Sblendorio < >; jimratcliff < >; Farley
Road Neighborhood Coalition < >
Cc: Sean Mullin <[email protected]>; Joel Paulson <[email protected]>; Town Manager <[email protected]>
Subject: ATTN: Town Council --Proposal to Amend WVMA CUP to allow late night/early morning use + 30 spot parking lot expansion NOT exempt from CEQA Dear Town Council,
We ask that you review the attachment, a letter that was sent from our attorney Sblend Sblendorio of Hoge, Fenton, Jones & Appel to Planning Commissioner Chair Kendra Burch on March 25, 2026 regarding Agenda No 2. Objection to Legally Deficient CEQA Analysis and Other Comments to Staff Report.
We ask you to deny West Valley Muslim Association's CUP modification U-24-010 application on the grounds as stated in this letter: “...the proposal to amend the CUP to allow late night and early morning use and to later expand parking capacity by approximately 30 spaces is a project that is not categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”).
Accordingly, approving the application without the required environmental review would violate State Law (Pub. Resources Code, Sec. 21000 et seq.; Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 14, Sec. 15000 et seq.).
Additionally, approving an expanded use during quiet hours in a residential neighborhood is inconsistent with both the Town Code’s noise curfew ordinance and the Town’s General Plan, and thus would also constitute a violation of California law.
Thank you,
Kim and Jim Ratcliff
cc: Sblend Sblendorio, Hoge, Fenton, Jones & Appel
ATTACHMENT 39