At least two different flyers protesting the prayer centre circulated the Laurelwood neighbourhood. Opposed residents released a YouTube video, formed a Facebook group (Residents Opposing 510 Erbsville Rd. Rezoning) and created an online petition that garnered 750 signatures. On the other side, a community member created an online petition in support of the prayer centre. It had about 1,300 signatures.

Residents opposed to the application said they were worried the prayer centre will increase traffic and noise, and have a negative impact on property values and the natural environment.

Resident Xiangxiang Luo, who spoke as a delegate opposed to the application, raised concerns about cars turning left into the prayer centre from Erbsville Road.

“Imagine you are a very busy working mom trying to get kids to school but you find yourself frustrated waiting behind a car waiting to make a left-hand turn,” Luo said.

To ease concerns, the Muslim Association has submitted to the city an acoustics report, geotechnical investigation, environmental impact study, survey of property, road noise impact statement and potential future conceptual site plan of the largest possible building it would consider one day building — covering about 20 per cent of the total 12,000-square metre property.

In the next decade or so, the Muslim Association envisions constructing a larger single-storey mosque, though it currently doesn’t have funding.

“I’d like to re-emphasize that our application is about using the existing facilities to use the needs of our community, our existing facilities are sufficient to fill these needs,” said Ghufran Mahboob on behalf of the Muslim Association of Canada. He added that there is only one other mosque in Waterloo, whereas Cambridge and Guelph have three each.

"There’s a need for this institution," he said. "I personally would never presume to question anyone else, any of my neighbours, of their needs in the community. If they feel that they need it, I agree, I support that."

A holding provision has been put on the property, indicating the city will require further studies to assess and manage development impacts if and when the Muslim Association is ready to move forward with the larger mosque. It would have to apply to remove the holding symbol by submitting a transportation impact study, traffic and stationary noise study, updated environmental impact study, slope stability assessment, servicing report, urban design brief and site plan.

If, in the long-term, the city approves the site plan and removes the holding provision, the Muslim Association would still only be allowed to use the property for spiritual uses.

The city received more than 230 emails both for and against, and the most common concern was the impact the prayer centre would have on Erbsville Road — a two-lane arterial road designed to accommodate 20,000 vehicles a day, said the staff report. Currently, only 11,800 vehicles use it a day.

The Region of Waterloo has no concerns about the prayer centre’s impact on Erbsville Road.

“The minor traffic volumes generated by the proposed spiritual use will not negatively impact Erbsville Road,” said the report.

Another common concern was about an increase in noise. Staff concluded any noise generated from the property’s parking lot will be minimal compared to the noise from traffic on Erbsville Road. Old Oak Park to the east, and prayer centre land to be zoned open space, provide a physical separation for residential backyards.

Council received letters of support from representatives from the Rohr Chabab Centre for Jewish Life Waterloo Region, Waterloo Lutheran Seminary and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kitchener. Members of those congregations, synagogue members and pastors spoke as delegates.

“It’s so interesting having so many faith leaders in the room tonight, not being able to talk about religion,” said Coun. Mark Whaley to the audience. “You didn’t have to talk about religion, you just had to be here.”

Coun. Jeff Henry explained the reason why council was sticking to planning and technical issues, and avoiding political ones, was because it had already made clear the city supports a diverse community in its broader planning documents. The official plan and zoning bylaws do not put a limit on the amount of spiritual uses in a community, or differentiate between types of spiritual uses or faiths.

“A lot of hurtful things have been said outside of here,” said Coun. Brian Bourke. “There is a lot of work to be done, and that starts with each of us.”