Chabad Files RLUIPA Lawsuit In New Jersey Town

North Jersey.com reports on a RLUIPA lawsuit filed Nov. 1 by an Orthodox Jewish Chabad group against the mayor, property maintenance officer and Zoning Board of Adjustment of Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey. The suit challenges denials of variances and waivers by the zoning board which Chabad sought in order to build a house of worship on its property. According to the report:

The lawsuit ... allege[s] that the congregation has been the victim of a "targeted effort" to block them from developing a house of worship in Woodcliff Lake - something that the congregation alleges has caused "unjustified fear" and "prejudice" of Orthodox Jews. Chabad also alleges that Mayor Carlos Rendo made various statements that Chabad was attempting to "turn the borough into a little Jerusalem" and that the "town will be littered with black hats walking the town on Saturdays," (a reference to Hassidic Orthodox Jews.)