"A New Church? Not in Their Backyard," NY Times

This story by Robert Johnson in the Sunday NY Times details the recurrent zoning problems that houses of worship face nationwide.  Johnson discusses several cases, including the Becket Fund's case in Congregation Kol Ami v. Abington Township, which is currently pending before the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.  The story also includes this quote from Becket Fund Director of Litigation Derek Gaubatz:

"Congregations are being told they aren't wanted in residential areas because of the noise and traffic," he said. "But they aren't welcome in commercial areas because they don't generate tax revenue, or in rural areas because they might have an impact on the environment. That doesn't leave many locations."

Click here to read the full story.

Relevant Cases

• Congregation Kol Ami v. Abington Township