By Richard Gaines
May 23, 2008
A church rooted in Lanesville since 1830 has sued the city in federal court, claiming the zoning board violated its First Amendment rights to free speech and freedom of religion by requiring on-site parking to go with its planned construction of a fellowship hall.
The board's ruling in March — sought by six residents of the city's most northern and independent-minded neighborhood and supported by dozens more — overturned the finding of Building Inspector William Sanborn, who had given the Orthodox Congregational Church of Lanesville permission to go ahead with the community building, which church leaders have said is essential to accommodate the growing number of children in its congregation.
After consulting city lawyers, Sanborn, in December, found the hall qualified for the religious exemption in the zoning ordinance....read more
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment