Even the executive director of the Islamic learning center that wants to build a new mosque on Chicago’s North side says the case is nothing like the controversy of the Mosque proposed near ground zero. “I would think it’s not a good idea to bring a Mosque over there but uh here, It’s not the same story,” Said Rashid Motiwana, executive director of the Islamic Education Center.

There are two clear differences:

No one is contesting the proposed Chicago mosque on the grounds of religion or sensitivity. The neighborhood is culturally diverse with a strong Muslim population. There is no painful reminder of violence done nearby by those who claim Islam as their motivation.

The second difference is that local leaders in Chicago denied the zoning permits and prevented the real estate from being sold to the Faizan E. Madina Islamic Education Center. So, at the moment anyway, the mosque will not be built.

The plot of land was at one point the famous Fluky’s hot dog stand. It had been sold and re-opened as U Lucky Dawg, which also shut down. The property has been vacant since January of 2009. Needing parking and more space for their worshippers in the area, the Islamic Education Center made a bid and it was accepted.

This is a prime piece of real estate on a busy section of Western Avenue that generates $20 thousand in tax revenue every year. If it was given special zoning for a religious center, it would become tax exempt and generate zero tax dollars. That is why the local chamber of commerce objected, “We are looking to build new retail in the community and it’s a prime piece of real estate for retail development and we don’t want to lose that property,” said Amie Zander executive director of the West Ridge Chamber of Commerce.

So, this one is business and the people close to the deal say they are not bitterly divided. “The controversy is coming from outside,” said Zander. Motiwana says he will continue to push for a mosque where the hotdogs once boiled because the plot of land still sits vacant but he’s not headed to court, at least not now. That’s possibly because the Chamber of commerce is willing to work with him so Muslims on Chicago’s North side have a place to worship. “They definitely need a new larger space and I think that we can find them a different location in the community,” said Zander.

http://liveshots.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/08/26/chicago-mosque-controversy/

We are starting down a slippery slope, letting the chamber of commerce decide if they don't want a church or business, even if that group or business has already legally obtained the property.

IMO I think the people of this country should vote on it. Whatever the outcome is the outcome.

Vote on what?