Norwalk supports mosque after lawsuit, fed inquiry

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — Norwalk officials are indicating conditional support for a mosque after earlier denying a proposal that sparked a federal lawsuit and a Justice Department inquiry.

Al Madany Islamic Center of Norwalk sued in June claiming religious discrimination after the Zoning Commission rejected the $3.5 million project. The commission voted Nov. 29 to allow the mosque, subject to the terms of a final settlement.

Mayor Richard Moccia tells The Associated Press the Justice Department wrote about two months ago seeking information such as minutes of a zoning hearing on the project. A Justice Department spokeswoman declined to comment.

Court records show the parties have made substantial progress toward a settlement. Attorneys declined to comment.

Moccia denied the decision was based on religious bias, citing concerns the mosque was too big in a residential area.