Faribault City Council Votes to Increase Occupancy Level of Islamic Center

Most of Tuesday night's marathon Faribault City Council meeting was taken up by discussion surrounding additional off-site parking for the Islamic Center at 1201 Division St. W.

A number of people from the neighborhood and members of the Islamic Center went before the City Council expressing their concerns about the project.

The Islamic Center opened in 2013 and attendance has increased.

Council members unanimously approved increasing the occupancy level above 280 people after hearing from city staff that the building could house up to 658. The assembly areas have a rated occupancy level of 456. The current occupancy level is 120.

It didn't take long for the council to vote for increasing the occupancy level, but it took more than one vote to get an off-site parking lot approved. The off-site lot would have 42 parking stalls, with the entrance coming from Lincoln Avenue. The parking lot would have curb and gutter borders and landscaping to screen headlights from shining into neighbors' homes.

After considerable discussion, the council voted down the parking lot only to realize they had already voted to expand the occupancy and to avoid parking on the street needed to get the off-site parking issue resolved.

Faribault City Council members compromised on a few of the issues and, after about two and a half hours, approved the off-site parking lot also.

The City Planning Commission recommended approval with five conditions. One of those conditions called for a pedestrian crossing light at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Division Street.

Not all council members were sold on the need for the light after hearing city staff express their belief it was not needed.