Canton Township planning commission postpones MECCA rezoning, seeks more traffic analysis

Canton Township's Planning Commission voted to postpone action on a rezoning request from the Muslim Educational Community Center of America (MECCA), saying it needs more detailed traffic information before deciding whether to change zoning from RR (rural residential) to R1 (single-family residential).

Staff planner Patrick Sloan summarized that the application covers an 11.5-acre parcel at 6200 North Ridge Road and that the rezoning would allow a future special land use application for a religious institution and, potentially later, a private school or daycare. Sloan said the site includes Fellows Creek and mapped floodplain areas, and that stormwater and road access are under Wayne County jurisdiction.

The decision to postpone came after more than an hour of public comment from neighbors and proponents. Residents frequently cited traffic and safety at the Ford Road/Ridge Road/Hanford Road area, pedestrian access problems where paving removed gravel shoulders, and concerns about flooding and impacts to Fellows Creek. Neighbor David Branchaw said the plans appeared to show parking close to the creek and warned of repeated flooding at his adjacent property. "If they put the parking as they proposed, it appears they're filling in part of the flood plain along that creek," Branchaw said.

Representatives of MECCA said there is no plan for a full-time school at this time and emphasized religious and weekend educational uses. "There is no specific plan for a full time school at this time," Syed Navid Raza, chair of the MECCA board, told the commission.

Commissioners repeatedly said their decision hinges on traffic and infrastructure analysis. Commissioner Watkins moved to postpone action pending receipt and review of updated traffic-impact study materials and consultant comments; the motion passed on a roll-call vote.

Patrick Sloan said staff and the township's traffic engineering consultant (Wade Trim) will review any new materials and return the item for a future agenda. He also noted that because the required public hearing was held, the commission will not reopen the hearing at the later rezoning consideration.

Next steps: the applicant will provide revised traffic information and responses to staff and consultant comments; the commission will consider the item again once that material is reviewed.