McKinney City Council Approves Mosque Project Despite Opposition From Congressman Keith Self

The McKinney City Council has unanimously approved a proposed mosque and Islamic center project despite strong opposition from U.S. Rep. Keith Self and several members of the local community.

The council voted 7-0 to approve the site plan for the McKinney Islamic Association during a lengthy and contentious meeting on August 4. The project is planned for property along Virginia Parkway and includes approximately 32,573 square feet across three buildings.

The proposed development would include a mosque along with educational, community and recreational facilities. City planning officials previously determined that the project complies with the property’s existing planned-development zoning and applicable development requirements. The association is seeking site-plan approval rather than a change to the property’s zoning designation.

The project has faced public opposition since earlier stages of the planning process. Some residents raised concerns about traffic, parking, infrastructure and the potential impact of the development on nearby neighborhoods.

Other speakers, however, expressed opposition based specifically on the project’s Islamic identity and raised concerns about Islam and Sharia law.

Rep. Keith Self, whose congressional district includes McKinney, also intervened in the debate. Before the council vote, Self publicly urged residents to pay attention to the proposed mosque project and voiced opposition to the development. During the council meeting, he raised concerns about what he described as political Islam and Sharia law.

Supporters of the mosque project argued that the development should be evaluated according to established zoning and land-use rules rather than religious identity.

McKinney city officials have indicated that their authority was limited because the property already carries zoning that permits the proposed religious assembly use. City planning documents state that staff reviewed the submitted plans and found them compliant with the applicable planned-development ordinance and other development requirements.

The proposal has been under consideration for several years. According to city records, the original application was submitted in October 2025, followed by several revised submissions in 2026. The applicant initially considered a larger project but later revised the proposal to comply with the property’s existing zoning requirements.

The public hearing drew significant attention, with more than 100 people reportedly signing up to speak. The meeting lasted for hours as supporters and opponents presented their views. Despite the heated debate, council members ultimately voted unanimously to approve the site plan.

Council approval does not mean construction can begin immediately. The project must still satisfy applicable conditions and receive the necessary building approvals before construction can proceed. City records specifically note that conditions must be completed before a building permit can be issued.

The decision has since generated broader discussion about religious freedom, local zoning authority and the treatment of Muslim communities in North Texas.

For the McKinney Islamic Association, the vote represents an important step toward expanding facilities for a growing Muslim community. For city officials, the decision also underscores the role of municipal governments in applying land-use regulations consistently regardless of the religious identity of a proposed development.

The approval comes amid growing political debate in parts of the United States over Islam, religious institutions and the role of local governments in regulating religious developments.

Despite the controversy surrounding the proposal, the McKinney City Council ultimately determined that the site plan met the city’s applicable requirements and approved it unanimously.