Rolling Meadows mosque move to larger location could face zoning roadblock

After nearly 30 years in Rolling Meadows, the Islamic Society of the Northwest Suburbs is looking to move to a larger building around the corner, but the zoning regulations might get in the way.

Lawyers and a room full of supporters for the mosque attended a committee of the whole meeting on Tuesday hoping to get feedback on the proposal to move from 3950 Industrial Drive to 1200 Hicks Road, but only the mayor and one alderman spoke up in support, with the rest of the council members not giving any indication of how they felt.

The current and proposed location for the mosque are both in the city's manufacturing, or M-1, zoning district, but in 2004 the council passed an ordinance to keep nonmanufacturing uses, such as religious organizations, out.

"This is not a proposal of someone who is seeking to establish a use in the manufacturing district for the first time," said Harold Franke, an attorney for the mosque. "This is somebody who has been in this location for 30 years."

There are about 200 families who are members of the mosque, but Friday prayer services attract up to 500 people, Franke said. Aside from religious services, the mosque also offers computer literacy classes, a book store, a free clinic, a food pantry, after-school activities and more. The new location would provide more space, additional parking and a better traffic flow for the area, Franke said.

Several members of the mosque spoke about the importance of the mosque and its location. Batool Fatima said proximity to the mosque was a deciding factor when she and her family decided to move to Palatine nine years ago. Now her four children go there several days a week for Quran studies, ACT prep and social gatherings.

Zubair Khan, an attorney and member of the Palatine Elementary District 15 school board, said he has been attending the mosque since he was 10 and now brings his three children to the mosque.

"It has always been a crucial part of my life," Khan said. "In addition to religious services, it has provided the foundation of who I am today - ethically, morally, professional and socially."

Lubna Hashim, a 17-year-old student at Hoffman Estates High School, recalled coming to the mosque for Sunday school since she was in kindergarten.

"This mosque is a home," Hashim said. "We have a family, we are all very close and build off one another. It's a great place and it's personally affected me so much."

Franke said the city council has also received dozens of letters of support from local residents and businesses.

Mayor Tom Rooney said he would support opening the M-1 district to places of worship.

"As a person of faith, I appreciate all people of faith and I would like to see all congregations treated in similar ways," he said.

Alderman Robert Banger said he also supports the move. The proposal still needs to go through the plan commission, and Rooney said he doesn't expect it to be back for a vote until at least January. He said he didn't know what the silence meant.

In October, the city council approved a dance studio in the M-1 district, so an amendment to the zoning would not be unprecedented.

"We are talking about a zoning issue, but what we are really talking about is a community," Franke said. "This is a unique opportunity for Rolling Meadows to say what a welcoming community it is."