Congregation Kol Ami v. Abington Township

[Marci Hamilton]

The Third Circuit has overturned the District Court's holding that the Abington (Pa) Township zoning ordinance violated the Equal Protection Clause because it excluded religious uses from residential districts.  This is an important opinion on the deference owed local and state authorities in the area of land use and on the viability of courts' assuming that religious uses are compatible with residential uses.

The opinion can be found under Precedential Opinions at www.ca3.uscourts.gov

In the interest of full disclosure, I represent Abington.  The Becket Fund represents Congregation Kol Ami.

Regards, Marci