The U.S. Department of Justice announced yesterday that a settlement has been reached in the lawsuit against the city of Hollywood, Florida that is charged with discriminating against a Orthodox Jewish Chabad congregation by removed a special zoning exception that had been granted to it for operating its synagogue. (See prior posting.) Under the settlement the city will allow the Hollywood Community Synagogue to operate permanently at its current location, and to expand within a block of that location. The city also agreed that its leaders and managers, and certain city employees, will attend training on the requirements of RLUIPA, and that it will adopt new complaint procedures and report periodically to the Justice Department. Finally, in a separate agreement, filed with the court at the same time, the city agreed to pay Chabad $2 million in damages, attorneys fees and costs.
The settlement still has to be approved by U.S. district Judge Joan Lenard, who could call a public hearing to allow neighborhood residents to voice their opinions on the settlement. (Miami Herald, July 6). This morning, Judge Lenard postponed the hearing that had been scheduled for today on the settlement. (Bradenton Herald).
UPDATE: Yesterday, four homeowners in the neighborhood filed a request asking Judge Joan Lenard to permit them to argue against the propposed settlement between Chabad and the city of Hollywood. (Miami Herald).
