Michigan: Islamic Nonprofit Settles Lawsuit with Lodi Township Over Mosque Zoning

IQNA – An Islamic nonprofit organization aiming to establish a mosque near Ann Arbor has settled a federal lawsuit against Lodi Township as the agreement could allow the mosque to proceed, pending Washtenaw County's approval.

Masjid Al-Farook, an Ann Arbor nonprofit, purchased a property at 2730 W. Ellsworth Road in Lodi Township to convert into a place of worship. In June, the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) filed a federal suit against Lodi Township, its board of trustees, and its planning commission on behalf of the nonprofit. The suit alleged the township violated the group’s federal religious rights by not approving a rezoning application, MLive Media Group reported on Friday.

According to the Oct. 2 consent judgment in U.S. District Court, the township will grant zoning approval for the mosque if the Washtenaw County Health Department approves a sanitation system for non-residential use and the Washtenaw County Road Commission approves access to Ann Arbor-Saline Road.

Masjid Al-Farook claimed the township discriminated against it, violating its rights under the First and Fourteenth Amendments and the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000.

“CAIR-MI is pleased to announce a settlement with Lodi Township that will allow Muslims in the community to establish a house of worship for the first time,” said Executive Director Dawud Walid.

The township has amended its zoning ordinance to allow for institutional uses, including religious institutions, on agricultural land. The amended ordinance took effect on July 17. “The township changed regulations, so there is no need to go forward with litigation,” said Township Attorney Fred Lucas.

In 2019, the township amended the ordinance to allow institutional uses on land zoned for public and semi-public services. A nearby Christian church was able to expand under that zoning district, but the mosque had not been able to move forward. Masjid Al-Farook applied for the property to be rezoned in 2021, but the township planning commission recommended denying the application in March.

The nonprofit’s complaint alleged the township placed “a substantial burden” on the Muslim community’s right to freely exercise religion and assemble.

Source: Agencies