Detroit suburb agrees to settle lawsuits over planned mosque

Published March 16, 2017

A Detroit suburb that denied a religious organization's proposal for a mosque in a residential neighborhood has agreed to settle two federal lawsuits that alleged discrimination.

Sterling Heights City Council voted late Tuesday to accept the settlements, including one in a lawsuit brought in December by the U.S. Attorney's office. The mosque project will proceed, but a final site plan still needs to be approved.

The Detroit News reports the settlement resolves issues such as parking and traffic congestion.

In 2015, the city's planning commission voted against a special land agreement for the mosque sought by the American Islamic Community Center. A lawsuit brought by the American Islamic Community Center noted a "hostile" commission and public.

City officials say the settlement keeps Sterling Heights out of costly litigation.

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