Sikh Community Moving to Hamden

A Sikh temple will soon be open in Hamden.

The Planning and Zoning Commission Tuesday approved an application for a place of worship on Welton Street, combining two properties that will be used for both a temple and a residence for the community's leader.

Sikhism is more than 500 years old and has its roots in India. From the applicant's website: 

"Sikhism rejects idolatry, the caste system, ritualism, and asceticism. It recognizes the equality between both genders and all religions, prohibits the intake of any intoxicants, and encourages an honest, truthful living."

Worldwide there are more than 20 million Sikhs.

The property at 330 and 336 Welton Street has on it two buildings, a house and a commercial building. The house will be used as the home of the head of the temple, and the building will be renovated for use as a temple, called a Gurdwara Sahib, according to the group's attorney, Bernard Pelligrino.

The community has about 40 members, Pelligrino told the commission, and there is ample parking on the site. A lot line revision will be filed with the P&Z department to consolidate the two properties, he said.

Asst. Town Planner Dan Kops said the application fit the requirements but proposed several conditions, including the inclusion of a bike ramp, handicapped parking and tree plantings.

"None of the conditions are problematic," Pelligrino said. 

The arrival of the Sikh temple will be good for the town, he said.

"The Sikhs are an active community and we think they will bring a benefit to the town of Hamden," he said. "It will be a benefit to the community as they are in other areas of the state."

"We welcome the Sikh community to Hamden," said commission chairman Ann Altman.