Canton Planning Commission Oks permit for new mosque
The Canton Planning Commissioners recommended approval of a special land use permit for the new Muslim Educational Community Center of America, a 508-seat prayer space with 358 parking spaces and preserved natural areas along Fellows Creek in the 11.5-acre site between Ford and Hanford roads.
Hassan Beydoun presented the plan to the planning commissioners during the June 2 meeting, seeking a special land use permit for the project. Beydoun identified himself as one of the founding members of the Muslim Educational Community Center of America (MECCA) group and the treasurer of the organization.
He told the planning commission that his group sees the need for a new mosque center and that the group is seeking a place to “gather, congregate, pray and maybe for the younger guys to maybe have a little fun.” The proposal includes the possibility of a future day care and/or private school at the site, but Beydoun said those facilities might be considered in the future.
While some residents had questions regarding the impact of the project on traffic in the area, commissioners and other audience members were in favor of the project. Beydoun said typical prayer times are usually around 4:20 a.m., again at midday and in the evening hours. He said the usual times would not interfere with heavy traffic times in the area and that the issue had been specifically addressed in the traffic study performed regarding the proposed project.
Traffic concerns, including left-turn lanes, were expressed by some commissioners and residents, although approval of the permit was recommended. The proposal will now go before the township board of trustees for consideration.
