“The building is currently zoned light industrial and city code only lets places of worship exist in residential areas.” But the city better change these zoning laws, or it will be slammed with an “Islamophobia” lawsuit, courtesy the local Islamic Center and, apparently, Hamas-linked CAIR. Once again, the principle is asserted: wherever Islam comes into conflict with American law, American law must yield. “Council to Vote on New Islamic Center in St. Anthony Village,” by Kate Renner for KSTP.com, June 12 (thanks to PK):
The city of St. Anthony Village will vote Tuesday night on whether to allow an Islamic center to buy the former Medtronic building off of Old Highway 8. The issue is a matter of zoning, but one Islamic group wants to make sure discrimination isn’t a factor.
The building is currently zoned light industrial and city code only lets places of worship exist in residential areas. The Abu-Huraira Islamic Center asked for a conditional use permit. That would allow them to move into the first floor of the building. The rest of the space would be rented.
The city issued a four-month moratorium to study the zoning issue.
The [Hamas-linked] Council on American Islamic Relations says the city council intentionally slowed the process down due to community opposition.
The St. Anthony Village City Planner says this is strictly a zoning issue because keeping it as industrial would generate more taxes for the city.
According to the Islamic Center’s attorney, if the council doesn’t approve the conditional-use permit, they could file a lawsuit against the city for discrimination and ask the Department of Justice to investigate.