Waterloo council approves Muslim prayer centre
Posted Jun 27, 2017 05:03:10 AM.
Last Updated Jun 27, 2017 08:30:50 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Waterloo City Council has passed a zoning change for a property on Erbsville road, allowing a new Muslim prayer centre to go ahead.
After three hours and 32 delegates later, council unanimously approved the zoning application for 510 Erbsville Road.
The approval comes after a full year and two petitions by area residents both for and against the move.
The applicant, the Muslim Association of Canada, owns the land and wants to have it rezoned from Agricultural to a more Institutional designation.
Asif Manzoor, Muslim Association Kitchener chapter head says they plan to expand the prayer centre.
Manzoor tells 570 NEWS they only have great days to look forward to and to work with their neighbours.
He says they want to make this centre a place for great ideas to flourish. “The people showed great courage to speak and really showed the love and support.”
He says those who differed in opinion were also very civil and they appreciate that. “They are grateful council made the decision in their favour and they plan on holding an open house at the new location.”
Manzoor says they want to work their neighbours and the community
Brian Bourke Councillor for that Ward, Brian Bourke, tells 570 News, “people had legitimate concerns about traffic but he thought staff addressed those very well pointing out it is a regional road well under capacity.”
Bourke says this decision was based on capacity of roads and says it has nothing to do with religion, but says it was part of the conversation in the background.
The city brought in extra security and overflow seating for the meeting at city hall last night.
