7/9/2009
Lack of sewer holds up vote on mosqueBy LACEY MCLAUGHLIN
Staff Reporter
MADISON
- A Muslim organization says it will seek to establish a private sewer
system at the site of a proposed mosque after a rezoning hearing before
the Board of Supervisors on Monday was postponed until Aug. 3 over the
availability of sewer service.
About 300 residents have signed a petition opposing the proposed mosque just north of the city.
The hearing on Monday was postponed after the city announced the site does not fall within its service area.
The
Muslim Association is seeking a special exemption for a five acre site
on the west side of U.S. 51 just north of the city limits and just
south of Green Oak Lane.
The land is currently zoned R-1 or
residential and under county zoning regulations a special exemption is
necessary to build a place of worship.
Meanwhile, the 300
residents, including state Rep. Rita Martinson who lives nearby, have
signed a petition opposing the mosque's construction.
In
April, the county Zoning Board denied the exemption after the city of
Madison said it would not commit to sewer service until a master plan
was developed for the site.
The Public Service Commission ruled last month that the city was required to provide services regardless.
A
letter sent from Madison Mayor Hawkins-Butler last Friday, however,
stated officials have since discovered the area is not within the
certificated area.
"Up until now, all parties have been
operating under the mistaken belief that the site is within Madison's
certificated service area," the letter reads. "However in reviewing
this situation last night we have determined that the site is not
within Madison's certificated area."
The letter also says that
the city can't provide assurance for sewer service until a thorough
review has been completed and a policy regarding the area is
established.
Due to the late notice of the sewer issue, the
Muslim Association's attorney, Roger Williams, requested a continuance
for the public hearing.
"At this time we are seeking to put an
agreement into place and go forward with a private sewer system,"
Williams said. "After having a chance to work with the Health
Department we will be able to present more specifics."
Martinson was in attendance at the meeting.
"This
is a matter of being conservators of our property in line with the
projected land use," she said. "We want to protect property values."
Attorney
John Reeves who is representing the residents said the mosque is not
compliant with current and projected land use for the area.
"There
are good places for any number of land uses, but you have to be careful
to keep your land uses compatible with what's already there," Reeves
said.
Williams said that the site for the Mosque is less than a
mile from the recently approved site for the First Independent
Methodist Church. The church is located on the east side of U.S. 51
past Green Oak Lane.
"That church is about six tenths of a
mile from the mosque's site," he said. "That would show that a
religious facility is in character with the area."
Williams said before the next public hearing the Muslim Association hopes to secure a solution to obtaining sewer service.
"There
are always hurdles and obstacles to overcome," he said. "Many of the
members live in Madison County and desire a place of worship. We have
had a lot of positive feedback and support from people in the community.
