Source: http://storzerlaw.com/
Timestamp: 2019-04-20 13:04:24+00:00

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We often work in conjunction with a religious organization's local or general counsel. For information on select matters handled by the firm, see the "Cases" page. More information about our firm can be found in the "Firm Profile" section of this website.
Congregation Rabbinical College of Tartikov v. Village of Pomona, N.Y.
I recently came across a federal District Court decision which gives an excellent primer on the analytical framework for a facial attack on a set of local land use regulations under RLUIPA, as well as the U.S. Constitution. Facial attacks on land use regulations are among the most difficult to prove, . . . .
This case is an excellent example of . . . how to try a RLUIPA case, . . . .
12/07/2017: Congregation Rabbinical College of Tartikov successful at trial, winning RLUIPA, Fair Housing Act and constitutional claims against Village of Pomona, N.Y.
[The court] found the village defense of its laws lacking, and that Tartikov's attorneys showed certain aspects of the zoning were "enacted for an improper, discriminatory purpose" and therefore invalid. "The defendants construct an interesting theory, for that is all that it is," Karas said. "They have no evidence to back it up. In any event, none this theorizing changes in any way the overwhelming evidence of discriminatory animus, or (the) fact this law served no compelling interest."
The court held that the ordinances violate multiple provisions of RLUIPA, the First Amendment's Free Exercise Clause, the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause, the New York Constitution's protections of religious freedom and equal protection, the Fair Housing Act, and freedom of association principles. S&A joined co-counsel Savad Churgin and John Stepanovich in representing the Rabbinical College.
Hunt Valley Baptist Church v. Baltimore County, Md.
In Hunt Valley Baptist Church, Inc. v. Baltimore County, Maryland, (D MD, Oct. 17, 2017), a Maryland federal district court held that a Baptist church can proceed with challenges under RLUIPA as well as with Free Exercise and Equal Protection challenges to the county's refusal to grant it a special exception under its zoning laws to allow construction of a place of worship and related facilities.
In my view, the Church has stated a substantial burden claim under 42 U.S.C. § 2000cc(a)(1) because it has plausibly alleged that it had a reasonable expectation that it could build a house of worship on the Property if it satisfied the conditions. Moreover, the Church alleges that it complied with all of the objective standards under BCZR § 502 .1 for the grant of a special exception. And, as demonstrated by the administrative record, the ALJ and one Board member agreed that the Church met all nine requirements, at least as to the portion pertaining to the construction of the structure.
The longstanding rule enunciated by the United States Supreme Court in 1871 is that civil courts must defer to the determinations of a hierarchical religious institution's highest ecclesiastical body. Watson v. Jones involved a religious property dispute over two rival factions who sought control of a church property in Louisville, Kentucky. 80 U.S. at 681. . . . Guided by the foregoing principles in the instant dispute, we find that ISKCON is a hierarchical religious organization and shall apply the neutral principles of law doctrine to resolve whether the Plaintiffs are entitled to use, control and possession of the Freeport Temple property.
New York Supreme Court Justice Randi Sue Marber in her October 2 decision agreed with Hare Krishna Movement leadership and recognized the legal status of this ancient religious tradition and the hierarchical governance structure of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
An informative workshop presented by Agudath Israel of Amer ica's New Jersey office addressed what has become a hot button issue throughout the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area: land use and zoning regulations that affect the construction of vital Jewish community institutions.
This was an extremely important opportunity for serious people who want to do the right thing to learn practical pointers on how to start a new community,” noted Rabbi Zwiebel. “People walked away satisfied that they had gained solid guidance and information.” While the land use workshop was the first of its kind for Agudath Israel, Rabbi Zwiebel said that similar events may follow, as part of the Agudah’s continuing commitment to addressing the Jewish community’s needs as they evolve.
Jackson should consider itself placed on notice that its heavy-handed attempt to target a particular population could very well be challenged in an appropriate venue. In this day and age of building walls against other people and cultures, fear and panic should not supplant our important constitutional values.
07/22/2016: S&A invited to White House event "Combating Religious Discrimination Today"
At a White House event today, the Justice Department released a report on these roundtables. In addition to the report, the Justice Department and other federal agencies announced new steps they are taking to combat religious discrimination.
See the Department of Justice's "Final Report" on this initiative, which lists this Firm as a "Community Member Participant."
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