A major public zoning hearing is scheduled to take place tonight in Marlboro Township as township officials prepare to hear testimony and public comments regarding a controversial proposal to construct a new mosque on Tennent Road.
According to an official notice issued by the Marlboro Township Zoning Board of Adjustment, the special hearing will begin at 7:00 p.m. at Marlboro Middle School, located at 355 Route 520, due to expected large public attendance.
The hearing centers on an application filed by Mohammed Tahir under case number ZB-21-6758, seeking approval for both “C” and “D” zoning variances along with preliminary and final site plan approval for the construction of a 13,127-square-foot mosque with 107 parking spaces and related site improvements at 449 Tennent Road.
Township officials said the meeting location was moved from the municipal complex to the school auditorium to accommodate anticipated public interest and participation.
The proposed development has generated significant public discussion within the community over the past several years. Supporters argue that the project would help meet the religious and community needs of the growing Muslim population in the region, while opponents have raised concerns regarding traffic congestion, neighborhood compatibility, environmental impact, and zoning compliance.
The proposal has also become the subject of legal proceedings after disputes emerged over whether the zoning board acted within required timelines for reviewing the application. Earlier this year, a Superior Court judge ordered the application to return to the zoning board for further hearings and directed the board to make a final decision before July 14, 2026.
Officials said residents attending the hearing will have the opportunity to present comments and ask questions during designated public participation periods. The board may take formal action during tonight’s session, although additional hearings could also be required before a final determination is reached.
The Marlboro Township Zoning Board of Adjustment regularly conducts hearings involving zoning variances, land-use disputes, and major development applications throughout the township.
Local observers expect tonight’s hearing to draw a large crowd, making it one of the most closely watched land-use proceedings in Marlboro Township in recent years.