Planning officials have approved a proposal to expand an Islamic school with close ties to the Saudi government in northern Virginia.
The Fairfax County Planning Commission gave its OK on Thursday. The Islamic Saudi Academy is looking to expand its Popes Head Road campus in Fairfax, which could allow about 200 new students on the 34-acre site.
The planning commission received numerous e-mails and letters on the issue. Several residents in the area expressed concerns about potential traffic problems.
Others pointed to controversies surrounding the school, such as allegations that its textbooks promoted intolerance. The school has said it revised the textbooks.
County supervisors have the final say on whether the expansion could go forward.
