From NewsOK.com
by Diana Baldwin
EDMOND — Parking and the size of a fellowship activity building proposed to be built next to the Islamic Society of Edmond’s mosque were the reasons city council members gave as they turned down the request for a specific use permit.
The 8,307-square-foot addition would have been built to the west of the 680-square-foot prayer hall at 525 N University Drive. The prayer hall has been at the same location since 1990.
The proposed roof line is 34 feet tall, but the dome on the top of the new structure would extend to 49.5 feet.
The occupancy of the prayer hall is 97 people. Planning Director Bob Schiermeyer said 33 parking spaces were included in the expansion plans.
City code requires one parking space for every three seats. There is no permanent seating in the mosque nor was any proposed for the new building at Wayne Avenue and University Drive, Schiermeyer said.
Parking is congested in that part of town because University of Central Oklahoma students park along the streets.
Mariana Lloyd, broker associate at Keller Williams at Kivlehen House, 10 E Campbell, said she can’t get into her drive at times and once hit a car parked illegally as she as backing out of her business property.
“This is a serious problem adding another 8,000 square feet,” Lloyd said.
Lloyd was not alone voicing her complaints against the proposed addition. The council chambers was packed with people who went out on a cold night and drove on icy roads.
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