St. Cloud planners OK scaled-back mosque project

The plan to build an Islamic Center is going forward in St. Cloud but the planning commission there only signed off on a limited version of the development.

The Islamic Center of St. Cloud's original proposal was to build  a mosque, religious school, offices, retail and restaurant space on a 9.5 acre site in a residential area off Clearwater Road.

What got approval by St. Cloud planners last night was just the mosque and religious school, the St. Cloud Times reports.  If the St. Cloud City Council OKs the first phase,  Islamic Center leaders will still have to apply again to expand the center.

Normally, a religious institution's plans to expand would not need to go through a public vetting process. But the Islamic Center needs a zoning change for it to happen.  Some residents objected to the project, citing noise and traffic concerns.

You can look at our previous coverage, maps and photographs of the proposed Islamic Center  by clicking here. 

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