Despite strong objections from residents, the Sterling Heights City Council voted Tuesday night to settle two lawsuits that created roadblocks for the construction of mosque at 15 Mile and Mound Road, The Detroit News reports.
The settlements resolve issues about parking, traffic congestion and the size of the mosque’s dome and spires, and open the gates for the plan to move forward. The final site plan must still be approved by the city.
One lawsuit was brought by the Department of Justice, alleging that the city violated a federal land-use law in denying a permit to build the mosque. The American Islamic Community Center also filed a federal lawsuit after the Planning Commission denied a special approval land use application in September 2015.
Council members Tuesday night said settlement keeps Sterling Heights out of costly litigation and allowed officials more say in the mosque’s layout, reports Mark Hicks.
“We have reduced our financial risk and we’ve been able to have input on what the actual development is going to contain,” Councilman Doug Skrzyniarz told the audience.
