Blog from the Capital

In Maryland, the Walkersville Zoning Board is being sued for its decision to "reject the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community's proposal to build a worship and recreation center on 224 acres of agriculturally zoned land." The landowner claims the decision violates RLUIPA.

And in Connecticut (via Religion Clause), a congregation is challenging Danbury's refusal of their request to build a church building in an industrial zone.

,[I]n documents mailed to Danbury Superior Court on June 30, [plaintiff's attorney Peter] Scalzo and fellow attorney Frank Scinto argue that churches should be allowed in the industrial zone just as hotels are allowed.

Both are places of public assembly, the attorneys argue, and prohibiting churches while allowing hotels is a violation of a federal law that gives houses of worship some leeway over local zoning regulations.