Proposed larger mosque in Stouffville faces safety and traffic concerns

Plans for a permanent, larger mosque in Stouffville, Ontario have raised residents' concerns about safety and traffic, the Stouffville Review reported on October 14, 2026. The Darul Khair Centre, described as Stouffville's first Islamic hub, is in the midst of finding a new location.

The original application sought permission to build a place of worship at 27 Winona Dr., near Ninth Line and Main Street, but council decided against approving it in May after reviewing residents' traffic concerns. The group's consultant later presented its case to the Ontario Land Tribunal, and since then the town and Darul Khair have discussed relocating to 12662 Tenth Line, just south of the Old Elm GO station.

Public meetings are required as part of the planning process. At a recent meeting, resident Christine Hand said there are no sidewalks on that stretch of Tenth Line, calling it “extremely dangerous” to expect transit users or pedestrians to walk along the shoulder of a busy main road with a speed limit of 70 kilometres an hour. Councillor Hugo Kroon responded that council could try to accelerate sidewalk installation, adding: “This council understands that we have a very diverse community, and we have to do everything we possibly can to make everyone feel at home.”

Another resident, Armen Garabedian, questioned the proposed placement, saying traffic would funnel from around the town and surrounding area into what he called a quiet corner of Stouffville's northeast. Mayor Iain Lovatt said he understood the concerns but pointed to coming growth, noting other commercial uses are contemplated for the area, including a potential grocery store that could generate up to 4,000 visits daily. Lovatt said the feedback “has to inform the process moving forward.” Plans are still underway, and residents can visit townofws.ca for more details.