PHOTO VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Apopka is poised to debate whether to grant a special exception for the construction of a new 6,436 SF mosque in its downtown core, at 458 Oakland Avenue [GMap]. The discussion is scheduled for the upcoming Planning Commission meeting on October 14.
Currently, the property is zoned as Mixed-Use Downtown, with a commercial future-land-use designation, and is already home to an existing single-story building where the Muslim Community Center of Apopka (Website) already operates.. Because places of worship are not automatically permitted under that zoning, the mosque’s organizers must seek a special exception, essentially requesting that the city allow use of the site for a purpose that diverges from the general allowed uses.
If approved, the Planning Commission could attach conditions like traffic controls, operational hours limits, or parking requirements, or even reject the exception altogether. Should they deny it, the applicant retains the right to appeal to the City Council.
