(Detroit Free Press) Told by a judge that the city’s zoning code violated federal law by keeping a mosque from opening, Troy agreed to let Muslims occupy the building that they bought nearly five years ago.
But Troy officials have steadfastly refused to pay the group’s monetary claim of $1.9 million. That claim, for damages, court costs and attorney fees, has accrued since 2014, when the group first sued the city after being rebuffed on another building.
Since March, the two sides have negotiated with little progress. The Muslim group’s lawyer said she can justify the dollar claim, citing not only its own history of expenses but also the similar million-dollar settlements reached after Muslims were allowed mosques in other Michigan locales, including Sterling Heights ($1.5 million) in Macomb County and Pittsfield Township ($1.75 million) in Washtenaw County.
