RLUIPA Suits Over Mosque Construction Are Settled

The Justice Department announced yesterday that a settlement agreement (full text) has been reached in United States v. Bensalem Township, Pennsylvania, as well as in a private suit involving the same underlying facts. In the  suit, the Justice Department alleged that the township violated RLUIPA in denying a zoning variance to permit Bensalem Masjid to construct a mosque on property near a commercial area. (See prior posting.)  The agreements call for approval of use of the property and for the Township to amend its zoning ordinances so they are compliant with RLUIPA. Bucks County Courier Times reports on the settlement.