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Mooresville residents rally against planned Islamic center near Brawley Middle School
Summary
Dozens of residents used public comment to oppose a proposed Islamic center they say was approved long ago but has arrived without sufficient neighborhood notice; speakers asked the town for traffic studies and ordinance changes and many framed objections in safety and transparency terms.
Dozens of residents addressed the Mooresville Board of Commissioners during public comment to oppose a proposed Islamic center on property west of Brawley Middle School, citing traffic, school proximity and a lack of community notice.
Jan Wright told the board the site’s plan dated July 2024 and said neighbors were unaware of the project. "How could you have an Islam center without Sharia law? You can't," she said, and asked the board to order a traffic-impact analysis to "ensure the safety of our children." Several speakers framed their objections as both procedural—saying notice requirements should change—and substantive, asking the applicants to present their plans publicly.
Other commentators echoed concerns about location and timing. Kelly Harris, who said she can walk to the site and has a daughter who attended Brawley Middle School, urged the board to "invite the people who make up the Islamic Center to come to a public meeting and tell us their plan," and asked the board to solicit neighborhood feedback and consider a voluntary traffic study. Several speakers repeatedly emphasized proximity to school pick-up and drop-off lines as the primary local-safety concern.
At least one public commenter framed the issue as a broader governance problem, calling for ordinance changes so residents receive earlier notice about developments. The board did not take action on the mosque proposal during the meeting; speakers asked staff to ensure the public can access more information and to consider additional outreach or studies before decisions advance.
