Source: Newark Advocate
A Buddhist temple, hotel and spa could be coming to Pataskala.
Representatives from the Columbus Buddhism Center have talked to city officials about building the Columbus Thai Temple on 5 acres south of Blacks Road, west of Watkins Road and east of Township Road.
A blessing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday on the site, which now is farm fields.
"They're saying publicly 'we're building phase one,' and we have no reason not to believe them," Pataskala Mayor Steve Butcher said.
So far, the Buddhism center has not submitted any formal building plans to the city, but Butcher said the organization does not need to rezone the property, which is zoned for residential uses, to build the temple.
"It appears they have all the zoning they need," said Butcher, adding that religious organizations can build churches and temples on land zoned for residential uses.
The organization has submitted a rough design concept to the city. The concept indicates the Buddhism center will be "the first Thai temple built in the United States to be developed on a vacant land parcel."
"The Columbus Buddhism Center expects to become a center for meditation practicing and teaching as well as a place to conduct religious rites for Buddhists of all nationalities living in the region," the proposal reads. "It definitely should become a destined attraction for many pilgrims from near and far."