Next Round in Mosque Request Scheduled Tonight

The yearlong litigation between the City of Lilburn and a local Muslim congregation could end tonight in Lawrenceville if the City Council approves a controversial rezoning request.

When the Council meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, it will consider an updated rezoning request from Dar-E-Abbas to build a new mosque at Hood Road and Lawrenceville Highway in Lilburn.

The congregation wants to have around four acres of land rezoned to a C-1 business designation so that it can expand its facilities to include a 20,000-square-foot mosque and parking for 200 vehicles.

The controversial issue has riled emotions among community residents opposed to the plan since it was first requested last year. The congregation's initial request called for the rezoning of around eight acres and included the mosque, cemetery and gymnasium. Dar-E-Abbas filed suit disputing that denial. The new request removed the cemetery and gymnasium and cut the acreage in half.

A large crowd is expected tonight, prompting the city to move the meeting from City Hall to GJAC.

Last week, the Lilburn Planning Commission recommended denial of Dar-E-Abbas' scaled-back proposal, which Dar-E-Abbas attorney Doug Dillard said would end the litigation if approved. The commission voted 4-0 against recommendation, citing several concerns it has with the site plan. That vote is non-binding and only a recommendation to the Council, which still could approve the request. The commission also passed along a list of its concerns about the site plan for the Council to consider.

 "It's up to the Council now," said Dillard following the planning commission's decision last week. "We'll go to the Council and hope they'll approve it."

Community opposition, which has voiced concerns over traffic, noise and land use, has been strong, stirring up emotions from both sides.

One Hood Road resident Angel Alonso, who has been an active opponent all along, wore a bulletproof vest to the planning commission meeting, saying he and other have received threats because of their opposition.

"This is all about zoning. This has nothing to do with their religious beliefs," Alonso said. "We have [land-use] rules. We just want to make sure they're met."

Dar-E-Abbas president Sydney Jamshed stood up in front of the planning commission to say his congregation's intentions are not to upset Hood Road residents. "We are all part of Lilburn," he said. "We want to beautify the area."

Also tonight, the Council will consider an alcohol beverage license request for Sunday sales for Bella's Banquet Hall, located at 4800 Lawrenceville Highway.