PJI Hails California Church's Victory Over Zoning Discrimination
by Allie Martin
March 29, 2005
(AgapePress) - Christians in one California city are relieved that officials rejected a zoning proposal that many say would have placed unfair burdens on local churches.Christians in Dixon, California, say city officials have been unfair to churches in the downtown area over the past few years, using a variety of means to make life difficult for religious institutions. One congregation, Calvary Chapel of Dixon, has felt particularly persecuted.
Calvary Chapel purchased a vacant theater in the downtown area, and its extensive renovations eventually won the praise of local building officials for the church's attention to safety and excellence. But city planning officials still sought to impose numerous heavy burdens on the church in dealings that contrasted sharply with the ease with which the city accommodated other assembly uses, such as clubs and lodges.
After the City Planning Commission was warned that its discriminatory practices could lead to legal action, the commissioners proposed a new ordinance. The proposal was to increase restrictions on churches, lodges, and clubs, rather than ease the burdens already being placed on the churches.
However, City Council members rejected the ordinance after citizens, including church and community members, showed up at a public hearing to denounce the Planning Commission's unfair actions. Community members spoke out at the hearing, along with attorneys from the Pacific Justice Institute, and urged the Dixon officials to abide by federal law.
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PJI's president, Brad Dacus, notes that, in this case, the people found out that ordinary people can sometimes "fight City Hall" -- and win. "Churches in the community saw that they were being isolated," he says. "They united. We spoke up on their behalf, and they spoke up on their behalf, and in the end the city council was forced to listen."Dacus says he and his legal group are "very glad to see that the city council heard from the community and did the right thing." He adds that this has been an important victory for the people of Dixon, and for all churches that desire to make an impact on their cities.
"If there had been no one to speak up," the PJI president notes, "and if no one had voiced their objections, the city of Dixon would [continue to] be a very intolerant town when it comes to churches." Now, however, the legal advocate says he is hoping that this turn of events will mark a new era in Dixon -- one in which churches will not be relegated to second-class status.
"Local governments can no longer ignore the significant rights granted to religious institutions under federal law," Dacus asserts. He adds that any churches that are being subjected to discriminatory zoning or land-use restrictions should take action, and he urges them to contact the Pacific Justice Institute immediately for help.
Allie Martin, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
