Concord Township Council granted preliminary approval to a land development plan submitted by Covenant Fellowship Church for 14 acres on Fellowship Drive, but the action drew substantial public comment and local questions about the project’s neighborhood impact.

Resolution No. 43 of 2025 approved the church's preliminary land development plan subject to 15 conditions, including compliance with review letters from township consultants, historical commission review, submission of architectural elevations for council approval before permits are issued, execution of a development and improvement security agreement, required external permits, and an operation and maintenance agreement for stormwater controls. The resolution was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

During the public‑comment period a resident detailed concerns about a separate zoning hearing application that would increase parking to 38 spaces at a property used by an Islamic community and questioned the potential impact on neighbors during high‑attendance periods such as Ramadan. The commenter also raised allegations about the community's adherence to religious law and cited a federal House resolution (as stated in the comment) while urging the zoning hearing board and council to consider neighborhood impacts. Township officials clarified that zoning relief and variances are decided by the independent Zoning Hearing Board, which deliberates privately but holds public votes, and that this council may consider land development approvals and later planning reviews depending on proposed construction.

Planning and engineering staff noted that specific matters of on‑site circulation, stormwater and safety had been reviewed in consultant letters and that the zoning hearing board was scheduled to take up related appeals and variances on Dec. 17. The township solicitor said the council cannot override the zoning hearing board’s decisions and that appeals would be to Commonwealth Court if pursued. Staff also indicated that if construction or additional parking is proposed, the matter may return to council as a land development or plan application.

The council's conditional approval requires compliance with consultant comments, permits, and site‑specific materials before building permits are issued; the zoning board decision on variances remained pending at the time of the meeting.