The Hoover Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously voted last week to reject a proposal that would have converted a 100,000-square-foot office building in Meadowbrook Corporate Park into an Islamic K–12 school and Muslim prayer center.
The 7–0 decision followed a packed public hearing attended by nearly 200 residents, many of whom voiced strong opposition. The commission’s vote sends the proposal to the Hoover City Council for a final decision expected in January.
The proposed development was submitted by the Islamic Academy of Alabama, which has operated in Homewood since 1995 and currently enrolls 265 students. The school, affiliated with the Islamic Society of Birmingham, sought to relocate in part to better serve its student population, approximately 40 percent of whom live in Hoover.
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Opponents argued that the issue was not religious, but logistical. Resident Jeff Wilson, who organized a petition with more than 1,700 signatures, cited severe traffic congestion along Highway 119 as the primary concern.
“It took 18 minutes to drive two miles,” Wilson said during the hearing.
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Nearby resident Nancy Cooper noted that six schools already operate in the surrounding area, serving a combined 5,631 students and contributing to what she described as a “permanent parking lot” during peak hours.
Some public comments also raised concerns about broader demographic and cultural changes, with several speakers referencing Dearborn, Michigan, where a large Muslim population has significantly influenced local governance and community dynamics.
With the commission’s recommendation now in place, the Hoover City Council will make the final determination on the proposal early next year.
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