LILBURN, Ga. -- The Lilburn City Council voted against a proposed mosque. Dar-E-Abbas is planning to take the decision to Federal Court. They say the decision violates their religious rights.

The Council's decision was unanimous. They cited nine reasons to reject the proposal including: spot zoning, effects on the land and traffic. Religion was not on the list.

The decision capped off weeks of planning by both sides. Wednesday night,each side had half-an-hour to present a case. The meeting was held at the Gwinnett Justice Center to accommodate the several hundred people who wanted to show their support for their side.

Dar-E-Abbas wants a zoning change that would allow the mosque to expand. They want to build a 20-thousand square-foot mosque and cemetery. It would be along Lawrenceville Highway and Hood Road. Currently, the Islamic group worships in an old house along Lawrenceville Highway. Two homeowners have agreed to sell their land to the mosque. If a zoning change were approved, the mosque's land would be 7.9 acres and push back into the neighborhood. One of the homeowners is also the current mayor. She did not vote in the decision and did not attend the meeting.

The mosque's argument was mainly based on their need to grow. They have worshiped at the Lawrenceville Highway site for eleven years. Their membership now includes ninety families.

The neighborhood's argument was about traffic, long-term planning and the history the mosque's code violations.

The City Council says their decision has nothing to do about religion. The mosque has thirty days to file their lawsuit.