RLUIPA Lawsuit Challenges Delay In Formal Zoning Variance Denial

A RLUIPA lawsuit was filed last week against the Borough of Pemberton, New Jersey by the Apostolic Church of Deliverance that applied for a zoning variance over six months ago. According to a press release yesterday from Mauck & Baker, the law firm which filed the suit, Borough officials have clearly indicated that they will deny the application from the largely African-American church. However Pemberton continues to withhold publication of a formal zoning decision. Pemberton officials have instead urged the church to rent a local elementary school to use for worship services. The lawsuit seeks over $1 million in compensatory damages plus $1 million in punitive damages.