Public hearing for Muslim Education Center on Ridge Rd. set for Monday
The Muslim educational center would be located on the east side of N. Ridge Road, between Ford Road and Hanford Road.
It’s still early in the process, but 11 acres of sprawling green space in western Canton Township could be transformed into a Muslim private school and childcare center if everything falls into place for the project’s developers.
A public hearing during Monday’s 7 p.m. Planning Commission meeting in the Canton Township Administration Building (1150 S. Canton Center Rd.) will provide details regarding the developers’ request to have the property rezoned from RR (rural residential) to R-1 (single-family residential).
The applicant, the Muslim Educational Community Center of America (MECCA), has applied for a Special Land Use permit for a religious institution on the site, and religious institutions are Special Land Uses in the current RR zoning district and proposed R-1 zoning district, according to the pre-released packet for tonight’s meeting.
Potential school and day care
If the Special Land Use for a religious institution is ultimately approved, the applicant intends to apply for a school and day care at the facility in the future.
Schools and day care uses are not permitted in the current RR zoning district, but they are Special Land Uses in the proposed R-1 zoning district, thus the need for the rezoning.
The Existing Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use for the property is Very Low Density Residential (1 dwelling unit per acre), according to the packet.
According to Canton Township’s community planning division, the relevant zoning ordinance consists of 10 standards of review to be considered prior to action. Based on the planning department’s preiminary review of the application materials, the comprehensive plan, and the site area, “We find that the rezoning application meets each of the 10 rezoning standards.”
Applicant: Wetlands will be preserved
The east and north sides of the site includes Fellows Creek and densely wooded areas. The applicant’s plans include the preservation of the floodplains and wetlands as the proposed development is concentrated on the west half of the site.
The applicant submitted a Traffic Impact Study for the project. Canton staff and Canton Township’s traffic engineering consultant, Wade Trim, have provided the applicant several comments on the TIS. Details of those concerns will be discussed at Monday’s meeting, the packet states.
If the Planning Commission recommends approval of the rezoning, the recommendation and application will proceed to the Township Board of Trustees for action.
