On a final 4-1 vote, the Kennesaw City Council on Monday rejected a land-use permit for a storefront mosque, inviting a federal lawsuit from a group of Islamic worshippers attempting to establish a prayer center.

The vote dashed a settlement in the works that would have limited the center to 80 congregants at any one time, amid other stipulations, in return for dropping the threat of the lawsuit.

"I'm advising my clients not to take this lying down," said attorney Doug Dillard, representing the Islamic group. More on this later in the week.