Traffic and noise were some of the key reasons Pittsfield Township, near Ypsilanti , claims it denied zoning approval the Michigan Islamic Academy (MIA) to build a school on a vacant parcel of land, WDIV reports.
But the Justice Department isn't buying that.
Jason Colthorp of WDIV reports that the Justice Department filed a lawsuit on Monday alleging that the township created "substantial burden" for the school to exercise its religion when it refused to grant its zoning request.
The Justice Department said that the academy is currently in Ann Arbor, but needs more space for religious and secular educational purposes, the station reports.
The rezoning was denied in 2011 based on some factors including noise, traffic and a claim it wasn't compatible with the township's master plan.
