West Boynton neighbors upset over mosque 

Construction is due to begin on a 17,000-square-foot mosque at a 2.78-acre site, just north of Le Chalet Boulevard in West Boynton, in the next six months, but neighbors aren’t happy, the Sun Sentinel reported. They are outraged that the Al-Amin Center of Florida is being built without their input.

About 40 residents attended a meeting yesterday at the Lantana Road Branch Library hosted by the Coalition of Boynton West Residential Associations, which represents about 90 housing developments in the area, according to the Sentinel.

The Al-Amin plans include the mosque, a social hall, a Sunday school classroom and courtyard as well as administrative offices.

“How is it that all these plans have been approved without one notice of public hearing from the county?” Gateway Palms resident Sharon Vatter said. “I feel this has been rammed down our throats and we’ve had no say in the process.”

Wendy Hernandez, Palm Beach County zoning manager for community development argued that the site had been designated a place of worship since 1997 and revisions were made in 2003. Public hearings were held then, she said.

The congregation’s architect, Saleh Elroweny, of the Innovative Group, has built about 10 mosques in South Florida, he said. [Sun Sentinel]