Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

Issues Relating to RLUIPA Safe Harbor and the Equal Protection Clause

By Steven M. Silverberg
June 01, 2021

Recently the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York grappled with issues relating to local zoning restrictions on houses of worship. In Orthodox Jewish Coalition of Chestnut Ridge v. Village of Chestnut Ridge, New York, 19-CV-443 (KMK) (March 31, 2021), the court addressed the application of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), along with the Equal Protection Clause and a number of procedural issues relating to a motion to dismiss.

The Plaintiffs are an organization and individuals of the Orthodox Jewish Faith, who have strict rules regarding the worship services they must attend and not riding in automobiles on the Sabbath. These various religious mandates require a central location for meals between services and a location within reasonable walking distance to the homes of the congregants, particularly as certain services are after dark and the Village of Chestnut Ridge has few areas with sidewalks. As of January 2019 the Village local laws (the Old Law) required that a house of worship be on no less than a five acre parcel. The only such parcel available in the Village was not centrally located and was prohibitively expensive for the small congregation. Therefore, the congregation rented temporary facilities it claimed were inadequate and caused the loss of congregants, due in part to the temporary nature of the facility. Further, there were claims related to various attempts by the Village to seek fines for alleged violations of the Old Law.

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473

Read These Next
The Article 8 Opt In Image

The Article 8 opt-in election adds an additional layer of complexity to the already labyrinthine rules governing perfection of security interests under the UCC. A lender that is unaware of the nuances created by the opt in (may find its security interest vulnerable to being primed by another party that has taken steps to perfect in a superior manner under the circumstances.

Major Differences In UK, U.S. Copyright Laws Image

This article highlights how copyright law in the United Kingdom differs from U.S. copyright law, and points out differences that may be crucial to entertainment and media businesses familiar with U.S law that are interested in operating in the United Kingdom or under UK law. The article also briefly addresses contrasts in UK and U.S. trademark law.

Beach Boys Songs Written Decades Ago Triggered Current Quarrel With Lawyers Image

There's current litigation in the ongoing Beach Boys litigation saga. A lawsuit filed in 2019 against Nevada residents Mike Love and his wife Jacquelyne in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada that alleges inaccurate payment by the Loves under the retainer agreement and seeks $84.5 million in damages.

Strategy vs. Tactics: Two Sides of a Difficult Coin Image

With each successive large-scale cyber attack, it is slowly becoming clear that ransomware attacks are targeting the critical infrastructure of the most powerful country on the planet. Understanding the strategy, and tactics of our opponents, as well as the strategy and the tactics we implement as a response are vital to victory.

Transfer Tax Implications on Real Property Leases Image

The real property transfer tax does not apply to all leases, and understanding the tax rules of the applicable jurisdiction can allow parties to plan ahead to avoid unnecessary tax liability.