After more than a decade of renting space from the Crystal Lake Park District, a county Islamic group wants a place of its own.

The Islamic Center of McHenry County is looking to open a community center in an existing home and frame barn on 5 acres at 5008 E. Crystal Lake Ave., just outside of city boundaries.

The group, which received tax-exempt status about three years ago, is seeking a conditional use permit from the McHenry County Zoning Board of Appeals.

The center will host religious services and outreach to promote interfaith dialogue, and will be open to the community at large, said board President Dr. Tanveer Ahmad, who has practiced internal medicine in the county for 18 years.

Other functions may include community assistance and a food pantry. The group has about 60 members, Ahmad said, many of whom would like to worship closer than existing centers in Elgin and Rolling Meadows.

“It’s about time to have a permanent place. This group has been here for a long time,” Ahmad said.

Neighbors don’t mind the idea, said Crystal Lake Planning and Zoning Commission Member Jim Batastini, whose property borders the proposed center to its north.

The county zoning board will hear the request at its Wednesday meeting.

Neighbors hired attorney Joe Gottemoller to address residents’ concerns about parking and traffic, many of which were handled when the proposal came before the Crystal Lake City Council last Tuesday.

Although the land is unincorporated, the city gets a say because the property lies within the city’s mile and a half planning jurisdiction.

“Our goal is not for Joe to stand up and object to the use,” Batastini said. “It’s a small congregation, and a bunch of very nice people, and they just want a place of worship.”

By KEVIN P. CRAVER, kcraver@nwherald.com

Read the original article from the Northwest Herald.