Council Denies Appeal, Will Allow Mosque In Temecula

TEMECULA (AP) — A mosque will be built in a Southern California community despite resident concerns the Islamic Center of Temecula Valley could bring extremist activity and lead to traffic woes.

After a nearly nine hour meeting, the Temecula City Council voted 4-0 at 3:34 a.m. Wednesday to allow the mosque. The Islamic Center was formed in 1998 and serves about 150 families in southwest Riverside County.

Concerned residents had appealed the Planning Commission's approval of a permit and development plan. Critics say the mosque could draw Islamic extremists and flood neighborhoods with traffic, while supporters say local Muslims shouldn't be likened to terrorists.

The Riverside Press-Enterprise says the council modified conditions of approval so mosque parking and traffic will be reviewed every five years. Plans call for a 25,000-square-foot, two-story mosque.

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