Settlements Reached In New Jersey Mosque Zoning Cases

The Justice Department announced Tuesday that a settlement has been reached with Bernards Township, New Jersey in the the Justice Department's Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act lawsuit over the town's refusal to grant zoning approval for construction of a mosque by the Islamic Society of Basking Ridge. Under the agreement, the town will permit the mosque to be built.  It will also amend its zoning ordinances.  A $3.25 million settlement was also reached in a suit by the Islamic Society of Basking Ridge similarly charging RLUIPA violations, as well as violations of the 1st and 14th Amendments, in the Bernards Township's refusal to grant site plan approval. The Atlantic reports on the settlements.