The Des Plaines City Council voted 8-0 on Monday night to tentatively approve a special-use permit for a mosque at 2424 Dempster St.
The Islamic Community Center now holds prayer services in a converted house at 480 Potter Rd. but has outgrown it.
Community Development Director Michael D’Onofrio recommended granting the permit, required of all new religious buildings, if the center’s members agree to abide by flood plain restrictions, submit a landscape plan and provide at least 45 parking spaces.
“Whatever we need to do to comply with city codes, we will do it,” Esa Abdullah, a spokesman for the center, told aldermen.
Abdullah’s group also proposes a small addition to the one-story brick office building on Dempster.
“Our community has grown from 20 when I moved here in 1979 to 250 today,” said member Mohammed Sukher.
The center members said 100 to 150 members are expected for regular Friday prayer services.
In another zoning case, aldermen voted 8-0 to deny a variance to allow for construction of a 68-room Super 8 Motel at 916 Touhy Ave.
Both decisions are expected to become final at the next regular City Council meeting.
