RLUIPA.org
"Church files suit over vote," The Reporter
This story by Allison Gualtieri reports on a RLUIPA suit filed by Church of the Hills against Bedminster, New Jersey for denying the church a variance to expand its ministry. The story includes these quotes:
"The denial was based on NIMBY concerns," said Roman Storzer, who has been retained by Church of the Hills. Storzer, who gained experience on religious land use cases through his work with the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, said that the denial came even though the church was willing to negotiate and compromise.
"It's really bent over backwards for the town," Storzer said, noting that the church had accepted limitations on the size of the parking lot and had eliminated many aspects of the project.
The Church of the Hills, which has over 500 people attend Sunday services, sought to expand in order to accommodate its growing congregation, and had filed an application for a variance in March of 2002.
"The site is very well suited for it and its ministry," said Storzer. "It's really built a home here and has a vibrant congregation."
Click here for the full story.