A public hearing on a mosque on Hungary Road became heated Tuesday night. Nearby residents voiced a number of concerns about the more than 30,000 square foot facility planned for the site.
It’s one of three mosques set for construction in Henrico County.
Not unexpectedly, the meeting was packed with supporters on both sides of the issue. From the onset, tensions were high.
“This land use is more like a 24-7 Walmart than any place of worship,” said Paul Thorne.
Hundreds supposedly signed a petition opposing the mosque because of concerns over light and noise, parking and safety.
“The neighborhood is already experiencing overflow,” said Sylvia Wright. “And what they are proposing for this large building will barely compensate for what we’re experiencing today.”
Legally, the Board of Supervisors had little room to change its mind about the mosque in this hearing. They had committed to the project, and could only change plans if it appeared some of the specifications were outside Henrico County guidelines.
But safety was brought up multiple times, and at one point a representative from public works and an engineer on the project were sent to the hallway to decide wether a secondary entrance was needed.
The board chairman even considered asking for a deferment.
An agreement was made that a second entrance would be made, should traffic problems exist in the future.
Meanwhile, county leaders promised worried residents their concerns would be addressed in time.
“Access will be appropriate and if it is not, it must change,” said Henrico County manager, Virgil Hazlett. “Parking will be appropriate and if not additional parking will be provided.Those are the conditions.”
And those attending the mosque say they want to be good neighbors, in their words, like sugar and milk.
“We will sweeten your community and we will strive to provide a safe environment,” said Khader Allahbaksh.
“There is a lot of requirements that the county has that we need to follow,” said Salman Lateef. “That if you follow the requirements, everything will be addressed and taken care of.”
That was very much the point county officials made, saying the mosque met all of the Henrico requirements up to this point and that they would have to continue to do so as they moved through the government permitting process.