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Planning Board Recommends Special Use Permit for Muslim Community Center at 94 Meridian Street, Urges Parking Solutions
Summary
The board recommended approval for a place-of-worship use at 94 Meridian Street and discussed parking, early-morning services, ADA access and possible lease of village-owned parking; the Village Board will address permanent parking changes.
The Planning Board unanimously recommended that the Village Board grant a special use permit to the Muslim Community Center of Western New York for a place of worship at 94 Meridian Street, while flagging neighborhood parking and pedestrian-safety concerns for separate action.
Attorney Ari Goldberg, representing the Muslim Community Center, told the board the group purchased the former church and is using it under a temporary certificate of occupancy. Goldberg said most members live in the village and the congregation is working with code enforcement and village officials to identify parking solutions, including discussing a lease of a village-owned triangular parking area adjacent to Saint James.
Board members and staff focused on parking and pedestrian safety. Code enforcement and the fire chief said cars parked on both sides of Meridian and nearby streets have at times impeded emergency-vehicle access; the Village will consider one-sided parking on certain streets as a remedy and will address signage and striping. Staff also noted the buildings proposed accessibility work: a curb-cut handicap space and a planned ramp may require switching to a compact vertical lift to meet ADA requirements within the available space.
Noise questions about an early-morning (5 a.m.) service were raised; the applicant said those services are "totally internal" and typically quiet. The buildings maximum occupancy was discussed; staff reported occupancy capacity of 56 and that Friday gatherings (1 p.m. to 3 p.m.) are a busiest recurring event. Member Matuszak moved and Member Fedorowicz seconded the recommendation; the roll call vote was unanimous.
The board noted that parking regulation changes will be pursued by the Village Board separately and that the applicant and staff will continue coordinating on accessibility, signage and temporary permits while the congregation transitions into the building.
