DOJ Reaches Settlement With California City Over Permit For Islamic Center

The Justice Department announced Friday that it has reached a settlement with the city of Lomita, California in a RLUIPA lawsuit challenging the city's refusal to allow the Islamic Center of South Bay to tear down existing buildings it is using and replace them with a single worship and activities center. Under the Agreed Order (full text) in United States v. City of Lomita California, (CD CA), the city will consider on an expedited basis a new application from the Islamic Center. The parties have separately reached an agreement on its contents. The city will also comply with training, reporting, record keeping and monitoring provisions set out in the Agreed Order. The order must still be approved by the court. (See prior related posting.)