Church officials in Ventura County, California, are challenging a decision barring them from expanding into protected open space, arguing that federal law allows them exemptions from zoning controls.
"The Simi Valley church, which has grown to 4,000 members, is challenging the county Planning Commission's denial on Oct. 9 of its request to consider its application for a seven-building campus in a greenbelt near Simi Valley. Church officials believe the proposed campus should be excused from local land use laws under the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act."
"The supervisors agreed the effect of the federal law should be squared away before voting on the appeal."
"The religious land use act, enacted in 2000 to protect churches from discrimination, will be looked at as a legal matter, not as an application to build the campus in the Tierra Rejada greenbelt, clarified Supervisor Steve Bennett."
"As local land-use law is written, buildings are not allowed in designated open space areas throughout the county and churches are specifically not granted an exception."
"Rubens said the church should be allowed to move forward with its application, noting 'federal law supersedes a zoning ordinance that discriminates against churches.'"
FULL STORY: Cornerstone church says U.S. act exempts it from local law
RLUIPA Ripeness Rule Reinforced
The concept of ripeness in several realms is elusive. I have never figured out how to properly thump a melon at a grocery store, although I have made a thorough study of it. You might want to click here, or here, or here for some guidance, none of which seems to work when it’s just me in a stare down with a cold, stone faced and silent honeydew. Just yesterday one of my younger children from what we call the “second litter” asked me at dinner how I could tell if a coconut was ripe. I paused, realized that I had no answer, and did what every good parent should do and asked instead why they weren’t eating their salad. Yes, attack and divert. You think melons and coconuts are tough — try ripeness in land use litigation.
Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation
Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.
Colorado Church Fights for Right to Provide Housing
A church in Castle Rock, Colorado is suing the city, pointing out the lack of shelter options for unhoused residents in the area.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.
Bend, Oregon Zoning Reforms Prioritize Small-Scale Housing
The city altered its zoning code to allow multi-family housing and eliminated parking mandates citywide.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
LA Denies Basic Services to Unhoused Residents
The city has repeatedly failed to respond to requests for trash pickup at encampment sites, and eliminated a program that provided mobile showers and toilets.
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