Residents Oppose Pflugerville Islamic Center Commercial Re-Zoning [UPDATED]

PFLUGERVILLE, TX -- Residents have signed an online petition opposing re-zoning of the city's Islamic Center to allow for some commercial use primarily citing traffic concerns, but with some residents voicing anti-Islamic sentiments in expressing their opposition.

As Patch reported last week, a request from an agricultural/conservation zoning involves a swath of land of 3.218 acres located northwest of West Pflugeville Parkway and Picadilly Drive.

"The rezoning is from Agriculture Conservation (AG) to Neighborhood Services," Pflugerville spokeswoman Terri Toledo explained in an email. "The Islamic Center has requested the zoning change which allows for some commercial use in the location. The church itself is already permitted via the current zoning."

But by Wednesday, a Change.org online petition started by Jennifer Harris opposes the plans, saying the rezoning will likely give rise to a retail center along with a mosque. At least one resident labeled the envisioned layout as a "strip mall/mosque" in the petition that late Wednesday had 91 of a goal of 100 signatures.

"This move paves the way for a retail center and mosque to be placed in the heart of our neighborhood," the petition reads. "The retail part of this project will cause more traffic and noise behind homes located on Regis, Palitine Lane and Cahir Glen Cove."

The petition notes the residential units in the area are two-story homes that would be beset with added traffic and lighting should commercial development go forward.

"These are 2 story homes and a soundproof wall will not provide a sufficient amount of noise reduction," the letter reads verbatim. "Most people have bedrooms on the second floor and will not only deal with noise but lighting issues as well. The soundproof wall will also cutoff access to our backyards. Not to mention this projects negative effect on our property value. Please sign this petition to express your opposition to this plan."

Some of those signing the petition chose to add their comments as well. Sentiments in opposition cover the range of concerns, from legitimate worries of bolstered traffic to more base aversion to the Islamic religion.

"I'm signing. as I am against anything that will increase traffic, along that stretch," wrote Nancy Skinner. "We get children to school that way. A mosque is one thing, but holy cow, a retail strip center? You have got to be out of your mind. WHO is proposing this, get his name, and we will vote against this moron in the elections."

Another resident was succinct yet pithy in expressing his concerns: "This will affect my property and my life," wrote Ronald Gutzky. "This land is not zoned for retail for a very good reason."

Dawn Brooks insisted her concerns didn't center on the presence of a mosque that is at the centerpiece of the plans. Instead, she opposes the planned commercial spaces she surmised is planned to defray construction costs related to expansion: "For me, it's not about building a mosque, it's about adding on retail space to an area that already has traffic, noise and congestion issues," she wrote. "This isn't about what type of building, but how much (space/building wise) is proposed for this space. Understand our concerns of those of us who live here."

Others voiced their opposition, including some who didn't shy away from expressing anti-Islamic views:

• "I do not want this in my backyard. Period." wrote Andrew Wark. "I'm a combat veteran and will be heard. I earned it," he concluded, while listing his location as Escondido, Calif. (Wark contacted Patch via email on Oct. 20 to alert he now has a home in Pflugerville.)
• "I don't support the mosque/strip mall," added Mario Gonzalez.
• "This is a neighborhood that doesn't need this in the middle of it," James Cook opined.
• "I live near this site and believe it will create heavy noise, add to the already heavy traffic conditions, and potentially increase in hate crimes," Levi Phelps theorized.
• "This planet needs to be Muslim-free," wrote Paul Lowe, whose location is listed not as being in Pflugerville, but Elizabeth, Ind. some 1,000 miles away.

Harris sought petition signers via a Facebook page created for Pflugerville residents, unleashing a similar range of concerns. She assured potential signers that their signatures would be kept confidential if that was their choosing: "Your name will only be visible to the City Council. Change.org will send it directly to them. I personally cannot see who signed, unless you choose to have your name public."

But Chris Brown didn't seem to mind his name being seen, writing in reply to the Facebook post: "Dont need this here....as in AMERICA." In response to replies touting the virtues of diversity and religious freedom, Brown posted a meme on the thread depicting the 2001 attack on the World Trade Center in New York City.

From Oct. 3:

PFLUGERVILLE, TX -- City council members will consider an ordinance next week to consider a rezoning for the local Islamic Center that allows for commercial use.

A public hearing on the proposed ordinance is scheduled Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. It is scheduled to take place at 100 E. Main St., Suite 500.

The request from an agricultural/conservation zoning involves a swath of land of 3.218 acres located northwest of West Pflugeville Parkway and Picadilly Drive.

"The rezoning is from Agriculture Conservation (AG) to Neighborhood Services," Pflugerville spokeswoman Terri Toledo told Patch via email. "The Islamic Center has requested the zoning change which allows for some commercial use in the location. The church itself is already permitted via the current zoning."

Toledo said the city's Planning and Zoning Commission met previously approved a Neighborhood Services district designation for the land, and next it will go to the Pflugerville City Council for final approval.

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