Over the past several months, the American Islamic Comm. Center (AICC) and the City have been engaged in facilitation to assist in bridging the gap between the Planning Commission’s land use concerns and those issues raised by the AICC in the lawsuit.
Because of that process, the AICC and the City have reached a compromised settlement.As part of the settlement, the issues of parking, traffic and overall size of the dome and spires initially raised by the Planning Commission have been addressed.
“This settlement ends separate litigation with both the AICC and the DOJ, while addressing the land use concerns raised by our Planning Commission,” said Sterling Heights Mayor Michael C. Taylor. “Settling these lawsuits at this time is in the best interest of all the residents of Sterling Heights, and allows both the City and the AICC to move forward.”
As stated in the City’s 2030 Visioning Statement, “Sterling Heights is a vibrant community for residents and business that is safe, active, progressive and distinctive. Inclusiveness continues to be a guiding principle for the City.
“Sterling Heights is a community that has and continues to welcome all faiths,” Mayor Taylor said. “The addition of the Mosque as a place of worship will add to the wide variety of places of worship across the City, including numerous churches, two other previously existing Mosques, a Sikh Temple, a Buddhist Temple and a BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir.”