Council OKs Mosque in South County

August 30, 2007

Author: MIKE SHERWIN

Source: Jewish Light

http://www.stljewishlight.com/news/289658090096936.php

St. Louis Muslims will be able to build a new mosque in St. Louis County, thanks in part to advocacy by Jews and local religious leaders.

Last week, the St. Louis County Council reversed a previous decision, and voted unanimously in favor of a zoning change that will allow a mosque to be built in Lemay.

In April, the Council voted 4-3 against the zoning change requested by the Islamic Community Center (also known as Madina Masjid). The ICC currently has one mosque and community center facility near Lansdowne and Kingshighway in South St. Louis. The ICC had hoped to open a second facility in Lemay, to serve the large number of Bosnian Muslims moving from the city to the county.

The County Council decision to not allow a change in zoning from commercial to residential use for the Lemay location, near Mehlville High School off Lemay Ferry Road, went against the recommendation of the County's planning commission, which supported the proposed 25,000 square-foot mosque and community center.