Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Forest Conservation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning commission approves forest conservation plan for Islamic Community Center expansion
Summary
The commission approved a forest conservation plan enabling the Islamic Community Center of Laurel to expand its building and parking; staff said the applicant will remove 0.11 acres and plant roughly 0.23 acres of landscaping, and the trust holding title supports the plan.
The Laurel Planning Commission approved Forest Conservation Plan FCP 20 26 0094 to support an expansion of the Islamic Community Center of Laurel (ICCL) at 7306 County Road, a proposal filed by North American Islamic Trust Inc.
Raven Nee, deputy director of Economic and Community Development, presented the application and said staff found state and city requirements met; the applicant received a natural-resources inventory equivalency letter from the then-department director dated Feb. 10, 2025. Nee told the commission the site will have limited tree removal — "the applicant is proposing to clear 0.11 acres" — and that the applicant proposes to plant approximately 0.23 acres of compensatory landscaping.
Abdullah Hejazi, attorney for North American Islamic Trust, said the congregation has been a long-standing partner of the city and that the majority of on-site forest (about 1.3 acres) will remain, with roughly 1.11–1.19 acres preserved. "Very little acreage of forest is being removed," Hejazi said, and the organization supports staff’s recommendation for approval.
A motion to approve the forest conservation plan and Resolution No. 26-05-PC was made, seconded and carried on roll call. Staff noted that details about planting species, locations and a two-year maintenance agreement are included in the application materials and remain conditions of approval.
Action and next steps: Commission approval allows the applicant to proceed with the expansion per the approved conservation plan; staff will monitor compliance with the stated planting and maintenance commitments.
