Proposed Mosque Hearing Set to Continue March 14

The Muslim Cultural Center will return to the Paramus Zoning Board of Adjustment March 14 to continue its testimony regarding its proposal to occupy a not yet constructed, but previously approved, office building as a cultural center and mosque.

Originally the hearing was set to continue on Feb. 28 but it was postponed once again.

The hearing will pick up from where it left off on Nov. 29 when Zoning Board members and the public heard from the center's architect, engineer and traffic expert who testified the proposed building would not impact the neighborhood and area parking.

Parking has been the largest concern as 61 spaces are proposed as opposed to 69 which would be required by borough code. The concern is that overflow of the parking area could result in the need for congregants to take up spaces on the sidestreets which border the property such as Arcadian Way and MacKay Avenue.

The congregation is said to consist of 25 to 30 families who are seeking to make Paramus their home. Currently the congregation worships at the American Legion in Woodland Park and conducts its Ramadan services at the VFW in Paramus.

The building would be three stories high. The first level has been modified in the plans to include five additional parking spaces. The second level would accomodate the women's prayer area and the third floor would serve as the men's prayer area.

The Zoning Board hearing is set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 14.