THE FACTS, as presented by P.L.A.N.K.
(Preserve the Lifestyles and Neighborhoods of Katy)

FACT: July 2008 & Aug. 2008 - 7/29 survey markers appear in the field at 1800 Baker Road; Sunday 8/3, Baker Road is completely blocked and cars have to back down the road as the first of several portable buildings are delivered without an escort and without traffic police to direct traffic; 8/6, 2 new portable buildings are delivered; 8/9, a 4th building is delivered leaving sides open for at least 2 more buildings to be connected; County Permit Engineer red tags MAS again for not having a building permit.   It is learned that MAS has posted architectural drawings and video of plans for 1800 Baker Road on the website www.archi-group.com  

FACT: July 25, 2008 - Traffic to and from 1800 Baker Road substantially increases as approximately 75 cars line up at the light on Baker Road and Kingsland Blvd. immediately following the 2pm prayer service.

FACT: April 11, 2008 - On the Muslim Media Network website ( http://muslimmedianetwork.com/mmn/?p=2009 ), MAS Houston announces its plans for building plans at the 1800 Baker Road site.  Despite repeated attempts in the past to contact KIA and MAS regarding future plans for the site, KIA and MAS as late as August 2008 provide no communication regarding any plans, completely disregarding their public announcements that they would work with the surrounding community.

FACT: January 28, 2008 - KIA sells the 1800 Baker Road site to MAS Houston Revocable Trust for an undisclosed sum and an assumption of its $858,650.94 note from Enterprise Bank.  MAS' address is listed as; Muslim American Society, 3600 Forest Drive, Unit 6, Alexandria, VA 22302-1005.

FACT: January 3, 2007 - Press release from organization called P.L.A.N.K. sent out to all media outlets detailing concerns of development of 1800 Baker Road.

FACT: December 2, 2006 - Letter received by presidents of area homeowners associations from attorney representing KIA. None of the questions in the October 18th letter sent from homeowners association to KIA were answered directly. In addition, the letter indicates that all questions or comments be directed to the law firm indicated in the letter, effectively shutting off direct communication between KIA and community leaders.

FACT: November 29, 2006 - Channel 13 presents story to public regarding KIA. Since the initial exposure, media including Houston Chronicle, Katy Times, CNN, Fox News, various local channels, etc., have continued reporting on 1800 Baker Road property.

FACT: week of November 6, 2006 - KIA begins construction of a parking lot without obtaining proper permit. Construction halted after area residents called in complaints to permit office.

FACT: October 26, 2006 - Community meeting held at Pattison Elementary School to inform the public of issues regarding development of the 11-acres. Representatives from Local MUD, Steve Raddack's office, Harris County planners and permitting offices were in attendance. KIA leadership members are also present at this meeting, but declined to address community when given the opportunity.

FACT: October 18, 2006 - Date of letter sent to Mr. Shaikh and Mr. Fotouh from presidents of area homeowner associations regarding concerns of developing the property and asking for detailed information for building a facility. A response was requested by October 28, 2006. No response received.

FACT: September, 2006 - Banner on 1800 Baker Road sign announcing: "Coming Soon: KIA Community Center". It is not detailed on banner or anywhere else on property what "KIA" means.

FACT: September 22, 2006 - An 11-acre tract of land (1800 Baker Road) purchased by Mr. Yousuf Shaikh and Mr. Kamel Fotouh.

FACT: "KIA" stands for Katy Islamic Association. Documentation from various news reports shows that representatives from KIA have stated that the 11-acre tract will be used for some or all of the following:
a) mosque, school and gym (ABC13, November 29);
b) mosque, community center, school and athletic facilities (Houston Chronicle, December 2);
c) mosque (25,000 square feet), community center, athletic facilities, Islamic school and Dawah center (Katy Times, December 3);
d) mosque, community center, Islamic school, fitness center and senior citizen housing (AP article, December 8); and
e) mosque, fitness center, senior citizen complex and battered women's shelter (Fox news, January 5).

FACT: Local community issues have nothing to do with the religion of KIA. The only issues that concern the community and homeowners in the immediate vicinity of the proposed KIA site are the inappropriate commercial development in a rural Katy neighborhood - including: flooding, noise and light pollution, increased traffic through quiet neighborhood roads, drainage and potential health hazards associated with a retention pond, commercial sewer system drain off and odor (local MUDs cannot handle KIA capacity), safety, reduction in property values and eventually a declining tax base. The secluded land located on a winding two-lane rural road with no access is clearly unsuitable for any type of commercial development and will only serve to disrupt the current level of tranquility, safety, property value and general welfare of the community.

FACT: Over the past ten years commercial development projects that would have significant impact on these neighborhoods met similar resistance. In those instances, organized efforts of concerned residents managed to discourage such development. By doing so they maintained the intended aesthetics and atmosphere of the neighborhoods. They also managed to retain property values ensuring those neighborhoods would continue to be desirable locations for home buyers then and in the future.

COMPLETE DETAILED INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE BY CONTACTING P.L.A.N.K. REPRESENTATIVES BARBARA SIMPSON (281-578-7203) OR LAURA HUGHES (713-851-6315)

For more inforamation, please email planktexas@yahoo.com.