Constitutional Law

Ga. city council denies rezoning request to build mosque

By By The Associated Press

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. ? The Lilburn City Council has denied a rezoning request that would have allowed a Muslim group to build a 20,000-square-foot mosque on a site at U.S. 29.

The council met in Lawrenceville and deadlocked 2-2 on the request on Dec. 13. An attorney representing the Muslim group said the next step is to take the case to court.

Homeowners have argued that the mosque would create noise, storm water and parking problems. They also say building it would run counter to the city's land-use plan.

For the past 12 years, the Islamic center has held worship services in two 2,000-square foot buildings. Mosque leaders want to buy an additional 6.5 acres and build the mosque, a cemetery and gymnasium to accommodate the city's growing Muslim populace.

Full post as published by First Amendment Center on December 15, 2010 (boomark / email).