After five years, the Islamic Center of South Bay can move forward with plans to rebuild and renovate its facilities.
(Oct 08, 2013 – Lomita, CA )
Lomita has approved a redevelopment of the Islamic Center of the South Bay, bringing to an end a contentious five-year saga that sparked a federal investigation of the city government.
The City Council voted 4-0 on Monday to approve the project, with Councilman Henry Sanchez abstaining because he lives close to the Pacific Coast Highway project site.
A new 14,320-square-foot building with 85 on-site parking spaces will replace eight separate buildings totaling 8,000 square feet and 34 on-site parking spaces.
The mosque purchased an additional lot, expanding the site since its previous planning application was rejected by the city in 2010 because of parking and traffic concerns.
Mosque officials filed a lawsuit in the wake of that decision, alleging the city violated a federal law protecting the practice of religion. The Department of Justice also launched an investigation into the city’s decision.
The city eventually agreed to reconsider a revised project to settle the legal issues.
Construction is expected to start about a year from now, city officials said.