City of Roseville approves Ismaili Center expansion

The Roseville Planning Commission last month approved a 2,000 square-foot expansion of the Ismaili Center in the city. The Ismaili Education and Worship Center is in the South Placer Business Park between Sierra Gardens Drive and Lead Hill Boulevard. The complex is next to the Post Office and Walmart. Ismailis belong to the Shia branch of Islam. While there are seven worldwide official Ismaili centers, the Roseville branch is among many smaller regional Jamatkhanas, or worship gathering locations. The community facility serves the Sacramento-area Ismaili population, aligning with the broader network of Ismaili institutions. The business park includes six community-commercial parcels, originally approved in 1989, staff said. The six parcels include eight buildings with a mix of office, medical, commercial and warehouse uses. All six parcels are owned and managed by one property owner and have a shared parking agreement, according to the report. The 2018 Planning Commission approved a community-assembly permit for the Tarbiya Institute in the 6,000 square-foot Suite 100, inside the 23,425 square-foot building at 1836 Sierra Gardens Drive. The commission then approved the Ismaili Center – also a "community-assembly" use – to take the space in 2020. The rest of the building is currently occupied by offices, a dialysis clinic and vacant office area, staff said. The current Planning Commission granted a permit Dec. 11 for the Ismaili congregation to expand 2,000 square feet by including Suite 90 next door. The space will be used as a social hall and classrooms, planners said. "Typically, the primary issue to address with community assembly uses is ensuring adequate parking is available to support the higher parking demand generated from the use," said Roseville Planner Kinarik Shallago in the report. The expansion will need an additional nine parking spaces than currently allowed, staff said. There is no surplus parking available with the tenant mix, so a reduction permit in shared parking was granted by the commission. Officials said the lot can easily accommodate traffic expected. The Ismaili Center will have church services Monday through Sunday from 3:30-5:30 a.m. and 7-9 p.m. It's estimated attendees will fill no more than 20 parking spaces in the morning and 40 parking spaces in the evening, according to the report. As these service times occur outside of typical hours for other tenants, no parking impacts are expected to affect neighbors, staff agreed. In addition to church services, the Ismaili Center will continue to offer classes on Saturday and Sunday from 2-6 p.m. Classes range in size, but no more than 40 parking spaces are needed.