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Mosque will now be built in Sterling Heights as part of settlement

Posted at 6:32 AM, Feb 22, 2017
and last updated 2017-02-22 17:51:39-05

Sterling Heights 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.

U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade held a press conference to discuss the settlement Wednesday morning. 

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.