Court Upholds California Church's Location In Shopping Center

In Chabra v. City of Concord, (CA App., June 6, 2007), a California state court of appeal upheld a decision by Concord, California's Planning Commission and City Council to permit Harvest Church to use a former movie theater in a shopping center as a church. Individuals challenging the determination argued that the decision was inconsistent with the city's zoning plan. The court said that there was substantial evidence that while the approved use was not for traditional retail activities, it would nevertheless aid in development of the shopping center. CBS5 News yesterday reported on the decision.