Pittsfield Township to hold public hearing on request for prayer hall
The Pittsfield Township Planning Commission is holding a public hearing Thursday to consider a conditional use permit request to convert a residential home into a small prayer hall.
The application, submitted by At-Taqwa Masjid, seeks to convert the single-family home at 2680 Golfside Road into a 30-person prayer hall with five parking spaces.
“The applicant predicts that there will be approximately 12 regular attendees, and up to 30 attendees once a week,” according to Pittsfield Township Planning Commission documents.
The hours the prayer hall would operate have not been provided.
The property at 2680 Golfside Road is zoned R-3, moderate density multifamily residential, and zoning guidelines allow a place of worship as a conditional use, according to city documents.
The property is registered to At-Taqwa Masjid LLC. It was bought out of foreclosure for $80,000 in February, according to assessor records.
The residence is located in an area with a mixture of uses, including commercial and residential. Neighboring properties include a liquor store, a Marathon gas station, a single-family residential home, a vacant commercial building and a multifamily residential development.
The public hearing will take place Thursday, Aug. 18 at 6:30 p.m. in Morris Hall, 6201 W. Michigan Ave.
Lizzy Alfs is a business reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at 734-623-2584 or email her at lizzyalfs@annarbor.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lizzyalfs.
Comments
golfer
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 2:34 p.m.
go for it. just make sure that it has 5 cars only. lets see five people per car times 5 cars (max) that is 25 not 30. i say the cars can not be more and should be policed (not law but watched). the neighborhood will watch this. must be in the approval on how many people and how many cars. if exceeded they could get it taken away. stop it before it get out of hand.
Not a valid excuse for a newspaper
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 7:06 p.m.
There are more ways to get around than by car alone.
Basic Bob
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 11:56 a.m.
Another opportunity for Pittsfield Township's planning commission and board of trustees to address the issue of diversity in the community. If I had to place a bet, this will be soundly rejected. Anything else that might attract people from Ypsilanti has been turned down.
Jack
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 11:23 p.m.
I wasn't aware there was a diversity issue in Pittsfield Township. And I'd bet money that there isn't.
2020
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 4:20 a.m.
My first thought is no. Only 5 parking spaces, only enough room for 30 people to pray. But then I thought, why not jump on the bandwagon, and design and sell prayer mats. It's just be a matter of time, when the building will become overcrowded, and the praying will take place on Golfside Rd, just like in New York and other cities.
Jack
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 11:27 p.m.
"Oh the horror! People praying in public!" Indeed. Just think if they were Christian. There would most assuredly be a loud outcry.
Dalex64
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 11:48 a.m.
Oh the horror! People praying in public!
EyeHeartA2
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 3:03 a.m.
On the heals of not getting the school? Coincidence? I think not.
C. S. Gass
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 1:57 a.m.
I'm all for it. As long as they do a prayer call on a big loudspeaker, loud enough to be heard from my house (I live by WAAM). I find the prayer call beautiful, and one of the cool aspects of multi-culturalism, that I can really appreciate. We've had church bells for years, and they're pretty too. This would add to the audible beauty in the area. I know I am probably alone in this sentiment, and I'm ok with that. BTW, no, not a Muslim any more than any other Christian, just really open minded.
David Briegel
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 1:19 a.m.
bigbud, It says 5 parking spaces. I see five cars in a lot of driveways! lola, they don't want Sharia Law either!
1bigbud
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 1:08 a.m.
"It sounds like this would be an upgrade to this area" Yes it sounds GOOD upgrade But PARKING Can you see 40 to 50 cars in front of this place So much for the Upgrade
obviouscomment
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 2:36 a.m.
why would there be 40-50 cars for 30 people?
Lola
Wed, Aug 17, 2011 : 11:55 p.m.
It sounds like this would be an upgrade to this area. I hope the Islamophobes stay away from the meeting. Good luck to you, Mr. Masjid.
Jack
Thu, Aug 18, 2011 : 11:22 p.m.
There's always someone who is ever so glad that there are people to whom they can feel superior, real or imaginary. I'm so sick of it. That said, it looks like a perfect location for this use. There are a lot of larger buildings around and commerical buildings, as well, so it's impact appears to be minimal.