A youth camp proposed for a small town east of Roscommon was denied. The Ogemaw County Planning Commission voted 4 to 3 against Muslim-American Nayef Salha's proposal.
Salha’s camp was denied for zoning reasons, but the decision is contentious in part because Islamophobic comments were made at another public meeting.
At that meeting, Mr. Salha’s attorney said if bigotry played any role in the commissioner’s decision, he and his client might sue.
Scott Bell, a commissioner on the planning board, supported the camp proposal with some restrictions.
"By no means has any religious or racist factors played into that at all," he says about the decision.
The four commissioners who voted against the proposal had other concerns related to a zoning ordinance. They say the camp doesn’t match the area’s secluded nature, and it would cost the town more on road upkeep.
Carol Hanus, a resident of Rose Township, was happy with the decision.
"If I didn’t have residence and friends that lived right on top of it, I would have no problem with it," Hanus says. "I think what happens is it’s just really changing the character of their quiet lake."
Salha’s attorney says he and his client are evaluating their options. Salha could reapply or pursue legal action.
