Church Loses RLUIPA Challenge To Denial of Use Permit

In Centro Familiar Cristiano Buenas Nuevas v. City of Yuma, (D AZ, Jan. 30, 2009), an Arizona federal district court rejected claims by a church that Yuma, Arizona's denial to it of a conditional use permit violated its rights under RLUIPA, the 1st and 14th Amendments, and the Arizona Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The church acquired property in Yuma's Old Town District and then sought permission to use it for religious practices. The city's Planning and Zoning Commission denied a permit, finding that this use was inconsistent with city plans to turn the area into a tourism, entertainment and retail corridor. The court concluded that this did not impose a substantial burden on the church's religious practice in violation of RLUIPA. Other properties that would meet the church's needs are available in Yuma. The court also held that the denial did not violate RLUIPA's equal terms provision even though some secular membership organizations were permitted to locate in the area without a special use permit. The distinctions were based on compatibility with the planned use of the area. Yesterday's Yuma Sun reported on the decision. (See prior related posting.)