Overview is that an existing church was allowed under RLUIPA to build a fourth floor, but was denied additional parking....This case shows what we could be facing in Rockaway in a few years.
Case two was mentioned previously about the Christian College that wanted to buy a city hospital. The church won the case. The city appealed and the appeal was upheld 3-0 by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals:
However, on Thursday, the college - also persistent - sent a request to the court, asking for a rehearing before a panel of 11 judges. If that request is honored and if the college loses again, the only remaining recourse is to the U.S. Supreme Court, which Attorney John Dodd, who argued the college’s case, said they just might do.
City Attorney Helene Leichter was pleased on Wednesday, thinking the case was over.
“It was a slam-dunk and I am thrilled,” Leichter said.
Wow - read the following from the article:
The city based its denial on the its preference to retain the building for its intended purpose and on SJCC’s failure to comply with the CEQA-based re-zoning requirements. CEQA is the California Environmental Quality Act. There was, the suit said, a discrepancy between the plans submitted to the city and a description of the campus on the college’s website....A 3-0 decision, Leichter said, means the full court is less likely to grant a rehearing
I hope VORT has saved copies of the "VISIONS" statements from Christ Church's website (and video)!
One last quote - this one may give us a good guideline on how much going to court will cost us (or Agilent via their property taxes):
The city has spent $200,000 on this lawsuit to date, according to Leichter. A further hearing and a trip to the U.S. Supreme Court, she said, would cost another $50,000 to $75,000.
Good find. This proves that RLUIPA is not the end all, be all, blank check that religious groups have been salivating over...And I thought Bill Clinton was supposed to be such a scholar.
Justice and what is right for our great town will prevail.
RLUIPA can not logically nor ultimately prevail. See my previous post on this subject. (wish this bbs had a search engine since thought permutations are getting complicated here on this bbs as time goes on). The search engine would allow for people to refer back without having to do it manually. Anyway, the ninth is the most liberal in the country. I think that we are looking at an entire breakdown of the system that we live under if RLUIPA is ultimately upheld for reasons previously stated. Keep your heads up high since CC is really not a Church any more than "Maier Inspirations" is a Church. Believe me, if CC gets its approval, you will see "Maier Inspirations" rise up as a Church as well. I wanna build a 50 story high rise in my backyard unto my "Inspirations Lord." I will live in the outhouse. The judicial system better "shape up" on this or they are really gonna get ****ed by the rest of us who will not take this crap laying down.
Gee Whiz, the $350,000 cost of going to court is approximately equal to only 7 mos of agilent tax revenues. Looking at it another way, it's not much more than the loss in property value on Craig's house alone. I think it's worth it.
Just to set the record straight, the RT taxes on our property here at 136 Meriden Road is $12,500.00 (actually a bit more) per year. What if it goes to $24,000.00 per year because a Country Club (CC) in the name of a church with 25,0000 members comes to Rockaway Township as a by-product of their endeavours? If we have to convert this town to an "Urban Matrix Street Environment", that is the kinda of infrastructure costs that we will be dealing with developing here in RT. That is the only thing that will make CC work here without killing our mobility on Sundays. Just talk to your friends who live in Montclair to understand this concept better. They are living with it now with an Urban Infrastructure and it still is a major problem for them. No one will deal with this facet of things right now. We shall just have to "cut bait" with this debate. If it happens that they do not like it, too bad. No CC. CC does not serve us, but it expects us to serve them. **** em. Let them sue us. It is not only a bargain for us taxpayers if we do so, but it will also be an honer to win it as well.
odatddidv - - - Put your ****ing money where your mouth is. We will sell ya this ****ing property for $600K right now before CC moves in. It used to be worth about 900 K before this **** happened. Come see it anytime:
We are at:
136 Meriden Road
Boonton, NJ, O7005
973-316-5772.
Grey Colonial on 3+ Acres with 2 Ponds and over 4,000 square feet. Nicely wooded lot with 13 acres open land adjacent which can not be built upon (unless it is a ****ing church). Can't beat the price per house value anywhere in Morris County.
Such a bargain?? Why no takers? We paid 517 K for this place brand new 15 years ago and put another 100 K into it. This is a "lovely custom colonial home." Open House here. Just call. FSBO. Why are you all not salivating?? Hmmmm. Maybe a Ph.D from Montclair might be interested. Maybe a church CFO?? Makes a real nice rectory!!!!! Been investigating Rectory status for same. Very feasible and easily done. Please advise if interested. Legal advice for free on 501(c)3 status for same. Plenty of room for additional sanctuaries here right up to property lines (zoning laws null and void).
Call Craig at 973-316-5772 for an apointment.
Christ Church Members welcome!! Be close to New Irelands Country Club and avoid the traffic jam on Sundays! Form your own Church and compete in the open marketplace for CC "parishinors." Use the slogan "they tithe and we just want five!" A sure winner here in RT. Make a zillion with a very small investment!!!!!
Just exactly how much money does CC pay you for your advocacy services? Do you get paid a salary, by the post, by the year? We all want to know. Please advise. Is it enough money to purchase a home right down the block from your favorite upcomming resort?