Storefront Churches and Decaying Downtowns A Municipal Worry

The Raleigh (NC) News and Observer yesterday focuses on efforts by small North Carolina towns to keep churches from renting inexpensive vacant storefronts in decaying downtown areas. Last month, the Kenly, NC Town Council imposed a 60-day moratorium on new churches in the downtown area. Proponents of these moves say that churches prevent the economic redevelopment of small downtown areas. A Kenly Town Council member said town officials were unaware of the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act that makes these kinds of restrictions on churches particularly problematic. She said they will now consider the impact of RLUIPA as they draft a new ordinance dealing with the issue on a more permanent basis.