If you’re in Georgia, this might not directly affect you where you live, but you better be damn concerned that there’s another forward operating base being developed. If we don’t get this under control, it’s coming to a city near you.  LOGANVILLE, GEORGIA CLAIMS THEY DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT THE 19,000 SQUARE FOOT MOSQUE. SO WHO AUTHORIZED THE WORK? Something isn’t adding up regarding the proposed 19,683-square-foot Islamic center at 883 Lee Byrd Road in Loganville, Georgia. We’re hearing that city officials didn’t know about the mosque project. Yet the city’s own records show that officials approved changes to the zoning ordinance governing religious facilities in residential neighborhoods. HERE’S THE DOCUMENTED TIMELINE: January 27, 2025: A proposed zoning ordinance amendment was drafted. February 27, 2025: The Planning Commission considered Case #25-002, addressing religious facilities in residential districts. March 13, 2025: The City Council approved the amendment unanimously, 6–0. Branden Whitfield, now Loganville’s mayor, was a council member who voted YES. Lisa Newberry made the motion, and Anne Huntsinger seconded it. The amendment required religious facilities in residential districts to follow Office and Institutional development standards. Let’s be clear: This was a general ordinance amendment, not a documented approval of this particular mosque. But it raises a question that deserves an answer. DID ANYONE KNOW ABOUT THE PROPOSED MOSQUE WHEN THESE CHANGES WERE BEING CONSIDERED? I find it hard to believe they didn’t. The property is reportedly zoned R-44 residential, and I have not located a publicly documented special-use approval specifically authorizing this development. MEANWHILE, WORK IS ALREADY TAKING PLACE. According to information I’ve received, work includes: ▪️ A stormwater retention/detention pond. ▪️ Curb and gutter installation. ▪️ Preparation for asphalt paving. ▪️ A large 4-by-8-foot sign on the property. I’ve also received reports that the required development permits have not been issued. Loganville’s Section 119-29 requires development and erosion permits before grading or land improvements begin. Stormwater facilities also have specific approval requirements. The Georgia Islamic Institute also advertised a groundbreaking ceremony for February 15, 2026. SO HERE ARE MY QUESTIONS: 1. If elected officials didn’t know about the mosque, who in city administration did? 2. Why was the religious-facility ordinance amended, and who initiated the change? 3. Was a special-use permit approved for this property? Where are the hearing records? 4. Who authorized the retention pond, curb and gutter, and paving work? 5. Are there active development and erosion-control permits? If so, release the permit numbers. 6. Has the city inspected the work currently underway? 7. If required permits were never issued, why hasn’t the city taken enforcement action? We know that there were no permits issued for the work already being done. AND UNTIL THE CITY CAN VERIFY THAT THE REQUIRED PERMITS AND APPROVALS ARE IN PLACE, I AM CALLING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION WORK TO BE TEMPORARILY STOPPED. That means no additional grading, stormwater construction, curb and gutter installation, or paving until the city’s Planning and Development Department establishes that the work is properly authorized. If everything is legal and properly permitted, the city should be able to produce the documentation. If the required approvals are missing, appropriate enforcement action should follow. A VOTE TO CHANGE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS IS NOT THE SAME AS APPROVING A SPECIFIC CONSTRUCTION PROJECT. And a claim that elected officials didn’t know about the project does not answer who reviewed the plans, issued permits, or authorized construction. I’m calling for the City of Loganville to release the complete zoning and development file for 883 Lee Byrd Road.