Buddhists going back to Planning Board

By Robert Lowell Reporter-American Journal


BUXTON (April 24, 2008): The Buxton Planning Board will continue its review of a request by the Watt Samaki Cambodian Buddhist Temple at 7 p.m. Monday.
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The temple submitted its request in January but was asked March 10 to revamp plans, which include parking, to comply with town ordinances. The temple, headed by its President Navan Leng of Westbrook, is expected to present its updated plans at the meeting at Town Hall.
The concerns of neighbors have included increased traffic and devaluation of properties.
Two monks live in the home the temple bought at 128 Back Nippen Road in a residential area three years ago. The temple, which is relocating from Portland, wants to hold gatherings in an attached building that previously housed a printing company. A church is an allowable use in that area.
The temple submitted a similar request two years ago, but it wasn’t approved because the town said necessary paperwork wasn’t submitted.
The temple, which is the only one in Maine, serves about 350 families. The temple has three large celebrations each year. Lacking permission to meet in Buxton, it held one of those celebrations, Cambodian New Year, on April 12 at the Woodfords Club in Portland.