Clifton planning board hears mosque expansion proposal, parking and drainage concerns dominate public comments

At a Clifton Planning Board hearing, the Islamic Center of Passaic County sought amended site‑plan approval for 257–259 Pershing Road (Block 47.02, Lot 37.01), proposing demolition of most of the existing 6,100‑square‑foot building and construction of a roughly 20,279‑square‑foot footprint (about 43,000 square feet total) two‑story mosque with expanded accessory spaces.

The application aims to expand on‑site parking from 88 existing stalls to about 230 to reduce on‑street overflow, and requests minor variances for some parking stall depth (proposed 9 by 18 feet vs. 9 by 19 feet required), narrower drive aisles in portions of the lot (proposed 20 feet vs. 24 feet required) and one parking/drive aisle encroaching into the front‑yard setback. Attorney Sean McGowan, representing the applicant, told the board, “Critically, the application before you tonight is not to allow the ICPC to make changes to the property so they can move their house of worship onto the property,” and said the changes are intended to address existing crowding and street parking issues rather than to expand the congregation.

Why it matters: neighbors said vehicles currently queue and park along Pershing Road and nearby streets at peak times, which they contend can block driveways and hinder emergency access. The board’s review will determine whether the parking and circulation plan, and requested variances, adequately protect neighborhood circulation, lighting and drainage.

Testimony and technical details

Soufian El Moussi, the applicant’s civil engineer with Ingliesi/IngIesi Architecture & Engineering, described site changes and stormwater work. He said the plan provides a circular internal route, multiple ingress/egress points, a bus drop‑off zone and 7 ADA spaces (including one van space), with room on the plan for 10 future EV stalls. “We were able to fit 230…