Sunday, April 19, 2015

RLUIPA Lawsuit Settled By California City

The Long Beach Press Telegram reports that the Bellflower, California city council agreed last Monday to settle a RLUIPA lawsuit filed against it by Glory Tabernacle Christian Center, a church that welcomes members of the LGBT community.  The church claims discrimination. The city refused to issue it a use permit because of insufficient parking, even though a similar requirement was not imposed on a nearby mortuary and fire museum.  The city will grant the church a permit to hold Sunday services for up to 150 people and hold week day meetings for up to 50 people.  It will also pay the church $1.775 million in damages. If Council approves the use permit at its May meeting, the church will dismiss its suit 90 days later and notify the Justice Department of the settlement.