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Board affirms hearing officer in Church of the Common Good zoning appeal; RLUIPA arguments rejected on record review
Summary
Coconino County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 23 unanimously upheld a hearing officer's order finding zoning violations at property affiliated with the Church of the Common Good, rejecting the church's claim that enforcement substantially burdened religious exercise under RLUIPA.
The Coconino County Board of Supervisors unanimously affirmed a hearing officer’s decision on Sept. 23 that found zoning violations at a property associated with the Church of the Common Good and ordered the owner to remedy those violations under the county zoning ordinance.
Pastor Andrew Stevens, representing the Church of the Common Good, appealed the hearing officer’s order. In his presentation the pastor described the property as a religious retreat used by itinerant ministry participants and argued that enforcement of the zoning ordinance imposed a substantial burden on the church’s religious exercise. Stevens invoked the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) and cited out‑of‑state cases in support of his argument, saying the retreat provides temporary shelter and storage for traveling ministry members.
County compliance manager Mark…
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