The Committee on Legislation opened a public hearing on a special-use permit for assembly at 416 Waller on Tuesday and heard from the applicant’s architect that the building is used as a mosque and the owners want an interior redesign to provide an open, flexible prayer area for the neighborhood.

The issue matters because a special-use permit is required for assembly uses in the parcel’s N3R zone and neighbors have raised concerns; Council Member Everhart said she planned to convene a community meeting with residents, block clubs and the owners before the council moves forward.

Architect Thomaso Briatico told the committee the building has long been used by community members for prayer and that the owners had asked him to redesign the interior to make it more open and flexible for the congregation. “They play five times a day, and they live in the community, and they would like to have an area that would be used for prayer,” Briatico said.

Council Member Everhart said she had not yet met the owners and that residents had expressed concerns; she said she would schedule a community meeting with the owners, block clubs and residents.

The committee opened the hearing, heard the architect’s description and then tabled the item pending community engagement and further discussion. No vote to approve or deny the special-use permit was taken at the meeting.

Discussion only: applicant presented architectural intent and use information; Council Member Everhart requested community outreach. Direction: schedule community meeting and gather neighborhood input. Decision: item tabled for later consideration.