Lilburn Mosque Proposal Stirs Controversy

LILBURN, Ga. (MyFOX ATLANTA) - A Gwinnett County mosque wants to expand, but needs zoning rules changed to do that. Now some neighbors are fighting the proposal and questioning one of the people involved in the deal.

In order to grow, the Lilburn mosque is planning on buying three neighboring properties, but one of those is owned by Lilburn's mayor.

For 11 years the Dar-e Abbas mosque has called a small nondescript house along Lawrenceville Highway in Lilburn home.

Plans for a new building and cemetery have recently drawn attention from neighbors.

Neighbors like Angel Alonso have a problem with the fact that Lilburn's Mayor Denise Preston is the one selling the mosque some of the property needed to expand.

"I am a property owner. I am also mayor and am a property owner," said Preston.

The mayor has agreed to sell her four acre Hood Road home to the mosque if the city council approves the necessary zoning changes.

"I certainly will not vote. I plan to leave the room when it comes up before council. I don't plan to go to the planning meeting," said Preston.

"To me, it's a conflict of interest you're getting a mayor involved," said Alonso.

Alonso has already collected more than 150 signatures for a petition against the mosque's expansion.

"It has nothing to do with religion, it has to do with zoning," said Alonso.

The proposed zoning changes go to the city planning commission October 22 before heading to the city council.

Mayor Preston said she won't do anything to influence the council's decision