The First Congregational Church has warmly welcomed the Islamic Society of Greater Concord’s plan to develop a mosque in the former Capital Offset building at 181 North Main St., which borders church property.
These two parishes plan to offer joint programming to broaden their community outreach programs. Given the current political and cultural climate of fear and prejudice, such an endeavor opens the possibilities of greater understanding and mutual respect. If every community embraced such collaborative efforts, we would be a more united country.
Recently, Concord’s zoning board tabled the mosque application, citing the need to better understand parking requirements at the mosque. It is notable that the church has offered its parking lot for the Islamic Society’s use, which works perfectly because the mosque’s peak hours are on Friday mornings.
Between the parking that is to be constructed by the society off Pearl Street, as well as the generous church offering, this will create 52 spaces. Note that peak volume for the mosque is Fridays, with an estimated 20 cars. Even if the mosque’s population grew beyond the society’s wildest dreams, it would not require 52 spaces.
From 1954 to 2014, my family owned and operated the Capital Offset Co. We later merged our operation into a new entity, Puritan Capital, based in Hollis. During our 60-year run at 181 North Main St., a property that my family still owns, we employed upward of 35 people, with that many cars coming and going five days a week, from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. In addition to our own box truck, 48-foot trailers would come and go, morning and evening, five days per week.
I write this because any impact on parking or traffic inconveniences relevant to the mosque will pale in comparison.
It is understandable that the zoning board has asked for clarification on parking specifics and more details regarding the church’s commitment to aid in the parking plan. I do, however, believe it was unfair and onerous for the city to request that the Islamic Society commission a “traffic study” for the minimal added volume of traffic added to Washington Street and Pearl Street.
Some neighbors have expressed concerns about the added volume of traffic on Washington Street. It is important to recognize that the city, not so long ago, added a turning lane on North State Street as well as signage directing cars to Interstate 393 down Washington Street. As a result, the hospital, law school and high school – as opposed to local traffic – contribute to higher traffic volumes. The mosque would probably add a maximum of 10 cars to the stream of traffic – and only on Friday mornings. That’s not really worthy of a “traffic study.”
The zoning board broadly agrees that the parcel in question is a “tough nut” and that any future use of this property will require some sort of variance. Given that, I can’t think of a better use for this property.
Provided the Islamic Society presents the requested parking details, we hope the zoning board will grant the variance. To decline the application would be breathtaking.
(Jay W. Stewart lives in Concord.)