LILBURN, Ga.,None — A settlement has been reached between the city of Lilburn and the federal government over allegations that the city violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000" when it rejected the Dar-E-Abbas Shia Islamic Center's requests for rezoning so they could expand a mosque.
Just last week the Lilburn City Council approved the expansion of the mosque.
It was the third time that the Dar-E-Abass Mosque tried to get a rezoning plan approved.
Neighbors said they didn't want the expansion because it would bring more traffic and destroy their residential neighborhood.
The Muslim congregation wanted to expand from its current building to create a much larger facility.
Opponents believe the mosque's owners are trying to skirt the city's rules separating commercial and residential zoning. The attorney representing the mosque has said he believes the opposition is based on religious bias.
The dispute has resulted in a lawsuit and an investigation by the Department of Justice. Opponents insist religion is a non-factor.
As terms of the settlement, The city of Lilburn has agreed not to impose different zoning or building requirements on Dar-E-Abbas or other religious groups, and to publicize its nondiscrimination policies and practices.
The city also agreed that its leaders, managers, and certain other city employees will attend training on the requirements of RLUIPA.
The city has also agreed to adopt new procedures that clarify its complaint process for zoning and permitting decisions regarding houses of worship, and will report periodically to the Justice Department.