22 Brookfield Road mosque canopy

Distributed photos of what he says are adult dinners, lights and speakers inside the 'so-called tent,' and argued the structure doesn't meet the zoning code's canopy definition.

Said neighbors don't oppose a kids' play canopy per se, but don't believe that's its real use — she suspects it's being used to expand mosque capacity beyond what parking can handle.

Objected to the 'canopy' label, cited photos of dinners and heaters, warned of flooding from the unapproved paved surface, and said approval would mean more traffic and lower property values.

Supported the canopy for the kids — and accused a neighboring commenter of deliberately blocking mosque traffic with her car, which the chair quickly shut down.

Read a neighborhood letter: if it's a permanent structure, the code applies — at least 21 more parking spaces are required and impervious coverage appears to exceed the 35% limit, requiring a variance.

A veteran teacher offered a solution instead of a gripe: indoor recess alternatives — board games, indoor activities — exist, so the canopy is a want, not a need.

A 20-year mosque attendee said Friday traffic lasts barely 90 minutes a week and called the area a ghost town otherwise — the complaints, he argued, aren't about the canopy.

Longtime member traced the conflict to post-9/11 friction, said the city granted one-side parking then revoked it, and invoked religious freedom protections.

A fellow teacher countered the indoor-recess argument: public schools have gyms — the mosque school doesn't, which is exactly why the canopy matters.

A 40-year neighbor who welcomes the mosque said permission was never given for a permanent structure, retrospective approval would reward it, and Friday capacity is the real safety issue.

Said the tent has stood for years with no safety issues, offered to work with neighbors on parking — and firmly stated the mosque isn't going anywhere.

A neighbor since 1989 with nothing against the faith, he said the 'for the children' story doesn't square with photos of banquets and fairs — and clarified the loud-music neighbor issue was resolved years ago.

Argued the canopy can't add capacity — the building's footprint doesn't change — so parking and membership concerns don't actually apply to this approval.

A 35-year user of the space said he's never seen it crowded and asked the board to forgive the permit lapse and recognize the facility's community service.