County of Santa Clara Planning Commission Meeting - September 24, 2026, 6:00 p.m. (complete)

The County of Santa Clara Planning Commission held a regular meeting on September 24, 2026, primarily focused on a public hearing regarding a land use application for the construction of the Bay Area Vipassana Center, a silent meditation retreat on a 54.59-acre parcel in unincorporated Gilroy. The project includes 18 detached structures totaling 53,260 square feet, a parking lot with 122 spaces, and associated site improvements. Extensive environmental review was conducted, including an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) addressing concerns such as water supply, wildfire risk, and stormwater management. The commission discussed conditions of approval, including grading quantities and water system details, and heard public comments both supporting and opposing the project, particularly regarding water resource impacts and fire safety. After deliberation, the commission voted to certify the EIR and approve the use permit, architecture and site approval, and grading approval with amended conditions. The meeting also included procedural matters and reports from commissioners.