Tri State Islamic Burials seeks small washing facility at West 2nd Street; planners flag zoning and access issues

Tri State Islamic Burials and its engineer presented a sketch plan to the City of Chester Planning Commission on Jan. 14, proposing to consolidate five parcels at 716–718 West 2nd Street and convert an existing two‑and‑a‑half‑story dwelling into a small washing/preparation facility used to prepare decedents according to Islamic practice.

Planning staff told the commission the proposed use is permitted in the LIC (Light Industrial Commercial) zoning district but that the consolidated lot—about 7,958 square feet and roughly 45 feet of frontage—falls short of the LIC minimum lot area (12,000 sq ft) and minimum lot width (80 feet). Staff said those dimensional shortfalls mean the applicant will likely need zoning relief through the Zoning Hearing Board if the project moves forward.

"This building cannot take a funeral home. It's going to be just literally a washing facility to prep a body," said Mahmoud Ahmed, a representative of Tri State Islamic Burials, explaining that ritual…