MACON, Ga. — Macon’s Hindu community is expanding, as 24 new homes are set to be built right next to the Umiya Mataji Mandir temple on Raley Road.

This week, the Macon-Bibb County Planning & Zoning Commission approved a rezoning request for approximately five acres of land at 4706 Raley Road, changing the land use from agricultural to multi-family residential.

Widner & Associates, the developer behind the project, pre-sold the dozen duplexes to members of the temple.

The homes will form a private, gated neighborhood that mirrors a similar development already across from the temple — one that longtime member Vishnubhai Patel calls home.

“I moved here for retirement because my friends and family live in this area,” Patel said. “I decided, let me retire in this area, at least our whole

See Full Page