The decision on a request to acquire 1.6 acres of for a Muslim cemetary in the East Bluff will have to wait at least a month. The city of Peoria Zoning Commission deferred a decision on the Special Use until it's February meeting. The request by the Islamic Center of Peoria has met with some consternation by residents in the immediate area of the proposed land.
Most of the concerned residents live in the 1400-1500 block of East Elmhurst or on the adjoining cross street, Columbus Avenue. Residents say having a cemetary there will eliminate a wooded area, cause traffic problems in the neighborhood and create possible vandalism issues and more illegal dumping on the hilly areas of the East Bluff there, because the no acces road to the land will become all access.
Spokesman for the proposed cemetary Abdul Maoued of the Islamic Center says this location is desirable for their group. Some Zoning board members asked the group if they could strike a deal with Springdale for more plots there. Maoued says Islamic Center has burial sites in Springdale, but they are running low on plots. He says buying the proposed land is cheaper than current Springdale prices for the 641 plots the muslim group desires.
