After a judge-mediated agreement between Bryan, Ohio, and the Dad’s Place over zoning code and fire code violations, the city has once again filed criminal charges against the pastor.
A pastor in Bryan, Ohio, has been charged with zoning code violations for a second time for running a “Rest and Refresh” ministry that supports the homeless, including a space to cook food, shower, and sleep. “The city argues the church's 24-hour ministry is in fact just a residential homeless shelter, which is not allowed at the commercially zoned property,” reports Christian Britschgi in Reason’s Rent Free newsletter.
The pastor of Dad’s Place, Chris Avvell, was first charged back in January with 18 criminal counts for similar zoning and fire code violations. “In response to those charges, Dad's Place filed a federal lawsuit against the city, arguing that its sheltering of people in the church is part of its religious mission and therefore protected by the First Amendment and federal law that safeguards religious land uses from zoning restrictions,” Britschgi writes. A judge then mediated an agreement in which the city dropped charges and held off enforcement actions and Dad’s Place agreed to cease residential operations and fix all fire code violations.
The Dad Place’s lawyer told Reason that they removed the stove and installed sprinklers, but a city inspection found a person still sleeping in the church and police have been called to the property 51 times over the past year. A hearing for the latest criminal charges is scheduled for sometime this month, according to Britschgi.
FULL STORY: Ohio Pastor Criminally Charged for Letting People Sleep In Church. Again.
Ohio Pastor Criminally Charged for Zoning Violations After Housing the Homeless in His Church
The city of Bryan says it’s a residential use in a commercially zoned property; the church says it’s religious discrimination.
California’s Tiny Home Pledge Still on Paper, One Year Later
A promise to fund 1,200 tiny homes for unhoused residents in four cities as a way to rapidly and cost-effectively provide shelter has yet to yield tangible results, but projects are moving ahead in some cities.
New York State Attorney General Calls Out Town for Potential Religious Land Use Discrimination
Hasidic Orthodox Jewish developers allege the town of Forestburgh, New York, altered zoning regulations to dissuade them from building homes on a site that had received previous approval under different ownership; state officials appear to agree.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions