Zoning Change For Islamic School Rejected

PITTSFIELD TWP.  (AP) - A township planning commission near Ann Arbor is opposing a zoning change that would allow construction of an Islamic school.

The Pittsfield Township commission rejected the plan, 3-2, Thursday. Opponents cited traffic and other issues if the Michigan Islamic Academy built a school near a residential area. The recommendation now goes to township trustees, who will have the final say.

The school wants to move to the Washtenaw County community because it has outgrown its location in Ann Arbor.

The Michigan Council on American-Islamic Relations is watching the case. It believes traffic could simply be an excuse to conceal prejudice. The group says rejection by the township could violate a federal law that protects the property rights of religious groups.

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