COLLIN COUNTY, Texas — Developers of a proposed mosque-centered community in unincorporated Collin County have not even filed paperwork or requested any permits, but the county already made it clear their vision likely will not come to fruition.
Despite having no plan on which to vote, county commissioners held a public hearing on Monday.
The hearing was held at the Collin County Commissioners Court home. So many people showed up to comment, overflow rooms had to be set up as people waited their turn to speak.
“It is totally incongruent with anything we can allow in the state of Texas,” said one commenter.
Others claimed the U.S. and Texas were “built on the gospel of Jesus Christ,” and said members of the Muslim faith should assimilate.
EPIC City is the proposed development. It includes more than 1,000 homes, a school, retail spaces, parks, and recreation areas — all surrounding a mosque.
The East Plano Islamic Center, or EPIC, recently purchased 402 acres of property north of Josephine, near the intersections of County Roads 850 and 695 to build the development on.
In the last few weeks, Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton both weighed in, saying EPIC City appeared to be illegal. Gov. Abbott announced Monday that he ordered the Texas Rangers, the investigative arm of the Department of Public Safety, to begin a criminal investigation into the center.
For several hours on Monday, residents took turns speaking before local officials.
“Is this what you want between Collin and Hunt Counties? I sure don’t,” one woman said. Another pleaded for officials to delay any decisions for at least a year.
Few in the crowd supported the new development. Two community members spoke in favor of it, arguing for a more inclusive Texas and saying it was wrong to “fear monger.”
“We must advocate for an inclusive Texas where everyone, regardless of race, religion and background, can thrive,” one man said.
“Singling out and fear-mongering Muslim institutions erodes the values we claim to protect, equality, liberty and justice,” another added.
Erin Ragsdale, who represents EPIC City’s developers, Community Capitol Partners, spoke at the end of public comment.
“I don’t think we’d be here today at this early stage if there were plans floating around for a master planned community with a place of worship that was Christian,” she told the commission.
Ragsdale touted EPIC’s community involvement, saying they operate an overnight shelter in Plano on cold nights and run a drive through food pantry every weekend that serves people of all faiths.
“They are proud to be Texans. They are proud to be Americans. And they are excited about having the opportunity to develop a master planned family-centric community in Collin County,” Ragsdale told commissioners.
She also told them anyone could purchase land or a home in EPIC city.
But Collin County Judge Chris Hill said that appeared to be “inconsistent” with documents he’d seen.
“This is not about building a place of worship,” he said. “This is about the vision of building a housing development that would limit access and control opportunities.”
He said he cannot support the project.
After the meeting, Ragsdale said Community Capital Partners (CCP) “intends to follow all applicable rules, regulations and laws and intends to develop an inclusive community that all citizens can be proud of.”
She said the project is still in the early planning phase and CCP looks forward to additional community meetings.
Hill said until any plans or requests for permits are filed, there would be no further discussion by county commission.
They released this statement to WFAA following the hearing:
“Community Capital Partners (CCP) has been working with local and regional community leaders to discuss plans and receive input on a master-planned family-centric community in Collin County. We reached out to Collin County Judge Chris Hill on March 19 to request a meeting to provide a high-level overview of the project. He responded midday Friday, March 28, to say he had requested a public hearing and that CCP was invited to present.
CCP declined to present today because the project is still in the early planning phase, and no plans have been submitted to the county. Judge Hill requested staff make a presentation about the project. We look forward to seeing how we can work together in the future.
That said, please recognize that CCP intends to follow all applicable rules, regulations and laws and intends to develop an inclusive community that all citizens can be proud of.”