Church Sues Florida Town Under RLUIPA

In Southwest Ranches, Florida, Christ Covenant Church has filed a lawsuit alleging that the town violated its religious freedom rights and the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act when it denied the church a zoning permit. Today’s South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that the dispute involves the church's plans to build a 2000 sq. ft. hall next to its existing sanctuary. The hall would be used for bible study, weddings, funerals and meetings. Council said it rejected the application because the site had insufficient parking.