June 5, 2008: Proposed mosque in Wallingford clears hurdle

[Record-Journal]

WALLINGFORD — A mosque planned for the corner of Leigus Road and Route 68 received unanimous approval from the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission Wednesday.
The plan for the Salma K. Farid Islamic Center, which has met opposition from neighbors, will be reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission next week. The mosque would be built at 105 and 109 Leigus Road.
Before the vote Wednesday night, residents presented legal and wetlands-related objections to the plan.
David Guzzo, who lives next door to the site, said the natural incline on the property would shed water onto his yard. Michael Dean, who lives farther down Leigus Road, told the commission to be cautious about water flow in the area. He said his front yard is often underwater after a bad rainfall.
David Juliano, engineer for the project, said a swale and other features planned for the property guarantee that water will not spill over into neighboring properties.
"Basically, this entire site contains and holds its own water," he said.
Commission members appeared satisfied with Juliano's design, raising no serious questions. Juliano made some revisions to the design after town Environmental Planner Erin O'Hare raised issues at the May 7 meeting.
Craig Fishbein, an attorney who lives near the site, raised technical objections over the mosque's registered corporate name. The name, as registered on the Web site of the Secretary of the State's Office, does not include an address or an agent, he said.
"It's my position this entity does not exist," he said.
He also argued the name is not written correctly, since state law requires "Inc.," "Corp.," or another such word attached for a corporation registered with the secretary of the state.
But mosque planners received a certificate of approval for the corporate name from the secretary of state on May 14. That certificate was filed with the wetlands commission.
"You do not get those documents stamped and signed by the secretary of the state unless it's officially formed," said Jeff Alexander, representing the Salma K. Farid Islamic Center.
Alexander added that the secretary of the state's application for a religious corporation is different from that of a for-profit corporation.
Commission member Nick Kern said Juliano's design has satisfied wetlands concerns. He urged the commission to vote, stating that legal questions can be reviewed elsewhere. The town attorney also indicated the commission could move forward with voting Wednesday, according to O'Hare.
All five commissioners voting approved the application. After the meeting, Fishbein said he would consider appealing the commission's decision.
The Planning and Zoning Commission will review the mosque plan June 9.
gmoore@record-journal.com
(203) 317-2275

[eds]

And David Guzzo's qualifications are?

Hmmm...wonder how P&Z will vote. And this is why I believe in land covenants. You are not at the whim of P&Z commission. But this is what it is. Since no covenants exist and the people have voted to let a P&Z commission run property rights, it is their will that will make or break this, not the peoples.

[AdeleHouston]

When I saw the 1st P&Z Meeting on Channel 20 on this proposal, I was interested in the outcome of questions like corporate status. I anticipated the water issues may be addressed and potentially improved for neighbors and I was optimistic that the submitters would be able to provide an opportunity for the prospective users of the planned Mosque to practice their faith with less daily obstacles. The traffic impact of gathering places will lessen as more places are created.

I am encouraged that the questions raised are being responded to by the project team so that they can be closed.