A Muslim congregation seeks a permanent home after months worshipping at a temporary location at a Kennesaw shopping center on Jiles Road.
Members of the Suffa Duwat Center spent weeks battling the Kennesaw City Council for the space in 2014. The council initially denied the permit, but reversed its decision when threatened with legal action.
While the use permit does not expire until December 2016, mosque leaders hope to find a permanent space by then.
Naser Omer tells the Marietta Daily Journal, a likely prospect is acreage on Pine Mountain Road near North Cobb Parkway. The property is just a half-mile from the Kennesaw Commons shopping center, where the mosque is now.
Omer says there have been no conflicts with other businesses in the shopping center. "There's no controversy here," he tells the Marietta Daily Journal. "Our neighbors are happy. We're happy."
About 80 people a day attend prayer services at the mosque. Omer expects that number to grow once a permanent facility is built. Unless rezoning is required, the mosque would not have to go through the City Council for approval again, although it would need to meet city planning and zoning standards.
The 3.5 acre lot on Pine Mountain Road is zoned for religious centers. It is not yet under contract.