Mt. Sinai Mosque Approved With New Conditions

This article was posted by Joseph Pinciaro. It was written and reported by Rich Arleo.

After months of back and forth discussion during multiple meetings at Brookhaven Town Hall, the town’s planning board approved the plan to convert an existing barn to a mosque at 515 Mt. Sinai-Coram Road; with a few conditions added because of community comment.   

The board unanimously voted 4-0 to approve the plan after Deputy Chair Cecile Forte read over the various conditions of the proposal. Most notable was the requirement for property owner Mohammed Sameen to install multiple “No Stopping Anytime” signs on either side of the road. The signs will be installed at his expense, and will placed within 500 feet of the property in each direction, spaced a maximum of 200 feet apart from each other.  

“No other recommendations such as turning or deceleration lanes were deemed necessary,” Forte said.   

Another issue with lighting addressed at earlier meetings was answered by Forte, who read that the lights in the proposal comply with town’s ‘dark sky ordinances’ and no variances are required.   

Sameen has agreed to install 54 parking spots, 40 constructed and 14 land-banked that would be constructed if deemed necessary. The board found that this was sufficient on-site parking based on evidence given.  

“I think the planning board carefully considered both the law and the site plan and made the right decision,” said Sameen’s lawyer Timothy Shea. “We’ve agreed to all conditions the board recommended.”   

Do you agree with the board’s approval of the site and conditions? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.