Land Use Dispute Between Jewish Student Group and Milwaukee Neighbors

A new land use battle under RLUIPA may be brewing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Jewish News yesterday reported that the Hillel organization plans to build a new Jewish student center near the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. In October, the Milwaukee Jewish Federation purchased two homes across from campus and filed a request for a permit to raze them. Neighbors, arguing that Hillel's plans will destroy the historic nature of the neighborhood, convinced the Milwaukee Historic Preservation Commission to give the houses interim status as historic buildings. Hillel has filed an appeal to Milwaukee's Common Council, which is expected to act on the case in January.