Proposed New Castle Mosque Debated at ZBA Hearing

More than 150 people turned out for a New Castle Zoning Board of Appeals public hearing last week to debate whether a nearly 25,000-square-foot mosque is an appropriate project for the town’s West End.

The mosque, proposed for 130 Pinesbridge Rd., would be built on 8.33 acres purchased by the Upper Westchester Muslim Society (UWMS), which is currently based in Thornwood. The UWMS purchased the property in 2004 and first proposed the project in 2006. Supporters say that this would give area Muslims their own house of worship, while opponents have expressed concerns about how it would impact the quiet residential neighborhood.

The property is zoned for residential use, which allows for houses of worship, although a special permit is required.

A Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) was approved by the ZBA in May. The project is currently in the midst of the state environmental quality review assessment (SEQRA) process.

Members of the UWMS said they have outgrown their current facilities in Thornwood. Classes are hosted in Mount Kisco and larger services are usually held in hotel conference rooms around the county.

The proposed 24,690-square-foot mosque with 170 parking spaces would host daily and weekend prayers, educational seminars and religious celebrations. To accommodate larger events, representatives said they expect to use valet and tandem parking, which would increase vehicle capacity to 217 spaces.

The applicant’s lawyer, Meredith Black, said she expects the impact of the mosque to be comparable to Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester and the First Congregational Church of Chappaqua, two other houses of worship in town that have been expanded. No wetlands will be disturbed and 57 percent of the property will remain untouched, Black said.

Clergy and lay leadership from nearby houses of worship attended the June 27 to voice support for the project.

“We will be a better community with the presence of the mosque,” said Rev. Tom Lenhart, First Congregational Church pastor and chairman of the Chappaqua Interfaith Council. “We all benefit from religious traditions. It breaks down ignorance. [The UWMS] have been wonderful for the interfaith council.”

Hugh Sigman, chairman of the Mount Kisco Presbyterian Church, said the UWMS is a wonderful group.

“I have had some of the best baklava in my life,” Sigman said. “I have enjoyed exploring our mutual traditions.”

Some West End residents on hand, however, expressed concern about the size of the building and the number of daily visitors.

“This could overwhelm the streets and surrounding area,” said Sara Brewster, a 47-year West End resident. “This could have a huge impact. We pay a lot of taxes to live in a rural community.”

Connie Napp said she moved to the West End from Brooklyn to live in a quiet and peaceful area.

“This will change the character of the neighborhood significantly,” Napp said. “It will generate a tremendous amount of noise.”

Muslims who live in the area said this would fulfil a dream of being able to worship in their own facility close to home. By not having an official home for all functions has placed strain on the society.

“I have had to travel to Mount Vernon for Sunday school,” Sana Ali said. “It’s very difficult to accommodate members.”

Others said having the mosque in New Castle would provide a chance for their non-Muslim friends and neighbors to learn a little about Islam, including its traditions and rituals, and vowed that it wouldn’t cause a disturbance.

“We want the land and property to be sustainable,” Somers resident Eric Maloney said. “We want our neighbors to be comfortable.”

Gregg Sanzari, a West End resident, expressed concerns about the number of developments built in the West End in recent years, including a golf course and a commercial cell tower.

“The West End is starting to change,” Sanzari lamented. “I’d love for a mosque to be in New Castle, but I don’t know if this is the proper location.”

Another West End resident, Ronald Steinvurzel, said while he sympathizes with the applicants, the location of the mosque could overwhelm the neighborhood.

“This has nothing to do with desire or convenience,” Steinvurzel said. “What about us? Can you imagine what this will do to us? The development is not fit for our neighborhood. Approving the development would drastically alter the character of our neighborhood and further erode the local tax base.”

The ZBA will continue the public hearing on July 25.