Surrey Council to Vote on Whalley Tower and Mosque Proposal

Surrey council is set to consider a development proposal for Whalley that would replace an existing single-family residence now used as a mosque with a 38-storey residential tower and a larger mosque. The project, planned for 13508-13546 98A Avenue, would include 373 dwelling units and a 2,029-square-metre mosque. A public hearing on the application is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, June 15, before council votes on the proposal.

According to a planning report, municipal staff support the development because it is generally consistent with applicable planning policies and would add both housing supply and a place of worship to the neighbourhood. The report does not identify the applicant by name.

The proposal would significantly increase density on the site, which currently contains a single-family home used as a mosque. The development would require 151 parking stalls for the mosque and 332 parking stalls for the residential component, reflecting the scale of the mixed-use project.

The Surrey School District has also reviewed the proposal and estimated that 31 school-age children would live in the new building. Of those, 19 are expected to attend AHP Matthew Elementary, while seven would attend Queen Elizabeth Secondary. The remaining children are expected to be homeschooled, attend private school or enroll in another school district.

The planned tower is part of ongoing growth and redevelopment in Whalley, one of Surrey’s fastest-changing urban areas. If approved, the project would add a major residential high-rise and expand the mosque facilities on the site, marking a substantial change from the property’s current low-rise use.

Council’s decision will follow the public hearing, where members of the public will have the opportunity to speak before the matter comes forward for a final vote.