After hearing from citizens, Blue Ridge City Council members tabled consideration of two proposed developments while they review “errors and/or omissions” in annexation agreements with the property owners, who are Islamic.
Monday night’s special meeting agenda included development agreements for Baladeyah and Qariyah of Princeton, along with related agreements for the council’s approval.
The agreements stated that annexation and development of the properties will “promote economic development” and “stimulate business and commercial activity” within Blue Ridge, which will “drive infrastructure development and job creation” and increase the city’s tax base.
Blue Ridge is located in northeast Collin County and currently has about 1,200 residents.
The properties slated for development are co-owned by Qariyah LLC President Mohammed Hannan, who is active in the local Muslim community in nearby Princeton.
Hannan heads the nonprofit Qariyah Islamic Society of Princeton and is affiliated with the nonprofit Islamic center Darul Hedayah, which is “dedicated to serving the diverse and vibrant Muslim community in the greater Princeton area.”
Qariyah of Princeton, owned by Hannan’s Qariyah LLC and Hamra Princeton LLC, covers 142 acres with 90-100 residential lots. Irving-based Hamra Princeton is affiliated with Hamra Homes, a “premium custom home builder.”
Baladeyah, owned by Qariyah LLC and realtor Hussein Qattan, covers about 32 acres with 30 homesites.
During Monday’s meeting, residents of Blue Ridge and surrounding areas raised concerns about the developments and asked council members to pause consideration of the communities.
Several citizens stated that the city’s infrastructure and services like water, utilities, and public safety aren’t prepared for the strain of so much new development.
Others expressed concerns that the developments could become religiously “segregated” communities and may violate state prohibitions on Sharia law and/or anti-Israel policies.
“Gov. Abbott has clearly stated that anti-Israel policies are anti-Texas policies,” Fairview resident Lee Moore told council members.
Plano attorney Ronald Dubner suggested the city seek input from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office to ensure the agreements comply with state laws prohibiting contracts with companies boycotting Israel.
Barbara Isaacs, who owns property in Blue Ridge, told council members the Qariyah and Baladeyah developments sound similar to the East Plano Islamic Center’s EPIC City and EPIC Ranches communities that are being developed south of Blue Ridge near Josephine as Muslim enclaves.
“Is it going to be open to everybody, or is it just Islam?” she asked.
Isaacs also noted that by requesting annexation, developers ensure their residents can vote in local elections and run for local offices, “so they can change the entire makeup of our of our town.”
Ultimately, technical questions about the city’s annexation agreements with the property owners prompted council members to pause discussion of the developments.
Blue Ridge resident Wendy Mattingly pointed out several “errors and/or omissions” in the city’s annexation ordinances, including missing and incorrect legal descriptions and attachments.
Hannan established Qariyah LLC in 2020—the same year landowner Habiba Sultana first sought council members’ approval to rezone 50 acres for the Qariyah of Princeton development—proposed as a 40-lot development of “high-end, single-family homes.” At the time, the property was within the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), giving city officials authority over development in the area.
Since then, additional property related to the developments has been rezoned and annexed.
On Monday night, council members voted unanimously to table all agenda items related to the two developments while they review discrepancies in the documents.
Despite residents’ concerns, the delay may turn out to be temporary.
Councilman David Sturgeon said during a meeting last November that property owners are free to do what they want with their land.
“We can’t control people buying up the land and wanting to build houses,” said Sturgeon. “You can’t do it. It’s America.”
