Surrey council OKs tower, mosque project for Whalley
Published 10:10 pm Monday, June 15, 2026
Surrey council has approved a proposal at third reading to build a 38-storey residential tower containing 373 dwellings and a 2,029-square-metre mosque in Whalley.
Prior to the vote, a public hearing was set for June 15.
The subject site is 13508-13546 98A Ave. Council approved the project without debate.
“Staff support the proposed development as it generally consistent with applicable planning policies and contributes to housing supply and places of worship,” a planning report indicates. The applicant is Masjid Al Noor “Mosque of Lights,” J. Dharni and N. Dharni.
On site today is a single-family residence being used as a mosque. The project requires 151 parking stalls for the new mosque and 332 for the residential part.
The Surrey School District expects 31 school-age children will live there with 19 attending AHP Matthew Elementary, seven attending Queen Elizabeth Secondary and the remaining being home-schooled, attending private school or enrolling in another school district.
Prior to the public hearing city hall received 737 pieces of correspondence in support, nine opposed and five expressing concerns. A few dozen speakers voiced their support for the project while some opposed the tower part, with one arguing it makes for “less room for the pilgrims.”
“As a Muslim, I want to focus on the mosque,” said another. Yet another speaker told council he is opposed to turning a “sacred space” into a “commercial space,” while supporters of the tower and mosque being side-by-side said this will cut down on driving and that worshippers living in the tower, particularly the elderly, would benefit from a short stroll to their place of worship as they pray five times a day.