Rolling Meadows aldermen have mixed reactions on latest mosque plans
Rolling Meadows aldermen expressed their first public comments Tuesday on the latest plans for a mosque on Hicks Road, less than a month ahead of a formal vote. And they were mixed.
During a committee of the whole meeting Tuesday night, two aldermen expressed support for the Islamic Society of the Northwest Suburbs' proposed prayer hall and Sunday school at 1200 Hicks Road, at least one alderman was generally skeptical, and others were silent, though some have expressed support for the mosque in the past. They're expected to vote Aug. 14, in which four votes are required for approval.
Their comments came as representatives of the mosque presented their newest expansion plans - two years after a previous council rejected an earlier request.
Mosque officials want to relocate from their 1-acre site at 3950 Industrial Ave. around the corner to the 8-acre Hicks Road site they've purchased. They're seeking a change in the zoning code that would allow religious uses as a special use in the manufacturing district, where the current and proposed mosque sites are.
"I was in favor of this last time and I haven't changed my mind," said Alderman Rob Banger Jr. "I'm amazed at how much work went into the redesign."
Banger, however, added that he favors a simple zoning variance as opposed to a city code text amendment change, which is being requested and would pave the way to allowing other religious groups in manufacturing areas.
Alderman Joe Gallo favored the mosque's relocation since it would allow officials to sell their existing property, which he believes would be easier to occupy than the larger Hicks site.
The mosque purchased the 8 acres for $1.9 million in 2016 but after the last council's denial listed about half the property for sale for $2.4 million. There weren't any serious offers, said mosque attorney Tony Peraica, leading to the renewed application for approval by the council.
Alderman Mike Cannon called the mosque a "relatively good citizen" but said in the past cars have been stored and repaired on site without permits, and police have responded to disagreements between mosque members and a neighboring business.
In a nod to local politics, Cannon noted that mosque officials supported Len Prejna's campaign for mayor last year.
Prejna, who defeated Cannon and Dave Whitney, said the alderman's comments were "not appropriate."
While not formally declaring an opinion Tuesday, Alderman Laura Majikes was in favor of the mosque in 2016, while John D'Astice was opposed.
Nick Budmats, who represents Ward 2 where the mosque is, didn't weigh in during the meeting but told the Daily Herald in May before seeing the mosque's plans that he was generally supportive of their intentions to grow.
Prejna, who supported the mosque as Ward 2 alderman in 2016, doesn't get to cast a vote as mayor.