Posted on 01/19/2002 8:05:58 PM PST by Wiley Sr
Huntington Beach California, in "The Land of Fruits and Nuts" or as some call it "Shake and Bake", have made themselves very un-friendly towards a local main line Church. The Church in question is a small congregation, less than 100, that is trying to reach a community known for it's un-friendly attitude towards Christians, both inside and outside the Church. Beach preachers have gone to jail and been finned for violation of everything from assembly laws to zoning laws.
The Praise Christian Center, founded in 1998 by Pastor Derek Anunciation has about 150 members, with 60 to 75 coming each Sunday.The Church had been meeting in a strip mall off Beach Blvd. until 6 months ago, when a business man, Ron Brindle watched the Pastor on Cable T.V. and offered his warehouse/store for the assembly.
On Dec. 21, 2001, however,city officials ordered the church not to hold Church. The city said the church failed to get the proper permits and there were possiable fire hazzards.
The Church moved outside, which is also illegal, to hold it's Christmas meetings. Scrooge is not the only one who stole Christmas.
The pastor and members met with the city, and the city wants them to either apply for a conditional use permit or a zone change. The building was built before the city changed the zone to get rid of churches, even though the building was "grandfathered" as a warehouse or store.
The pastor and Church are not sure that is necessary. " My understanding is that the building is now approved for 81 people working in a warehouse setting, Pastor Anunciation told us." Would such an assembly become illegal if they started praying?"
Maybe if they were Muslem they could pray. ???
The city also wants about $3,500 in fees to get the permit process change going. As we all know the fees are non-refundable, and would take 6 to 12 months to process. These cities know $3,500 is a lot of money for a small Church, and they hope the cost will drive them away.
This long time would force the Pastor and his people to be an illegal Church.The pastor sharred with me he is not going to quit, and is ready to go to jail if necessary.
These cities always come in under the idea of fire ,health, and safety. The city is now saying that even though fire inspectors, from the city, looked at the building and saw no safety issues, the fire marshall is now disputing the account saying that there are still issues un-resolved. This is the way they always work. A standard inspector with common sense sees no problems,then the higher up marshall, overides the decision. Any building anywhere in the U.S.A, can be found to have safety issues if a city wants it closed or not allow it to be used.
This is persecution, pure and simple. A few years ago the neighboring city of Fountain Valley Zoned Churches out of their city, if they were new. The city said that there were enough churches, based upon population, much as they do with liquor stores.
The city of Huntington Beach learned when Fountain Valley lost in court, and they are trying a new approach.
In these last days we need to pray for the church being persecuted in modern America. Many of us have not had to resist unto death, but with the new terrorism laws, it can't be far away.
Notice!!!
OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS WE WILL BE STANDING WITH THIS CHURCH, AND BE ASKING OUR E-MAIL AND FAX WARRIORS TO "COMMUNICATE" WITH CITY AND COUNTY GOVERNMENTS. WE WILL ALSO BE ASKING FOR YOU TO CALL IN ON OUR INTERNET SHOW WITH YOUR COMMENTS AND IDEAS.WE WILL FURNISH E-MAIL AND FAX #S LATER
Pastor Derek Anunciation will be on my show Jan 21-24, not sure which day yet. Also, we are inviting "ALL" to come and stand if necessary. We will keep needs posted, on Crusade Radio.
"Wiley Drake Show"
"LIVE" Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. (California Time)
www.crusaderadio.com
Note!!!
Telephone call (off the air) 1-714-522-7201 Any time
Telephone call (on-air) 1-559-732-5005 While on the Air
E- mail anytime
Words from Wiley
Man, I'm sorry, but I've just got to laugh at that, typo or not.
Back to the article.
If the building was "grandfathered" as a warehouse, then what makes Pastor Anunciation (is this the guy's real name?) think he can use for a church?
" My understanding is that the building is now approved for 81 people working in a warehouse setting, Pastor Anunciation told us." Would such an assembly become illegal if they started praying?"
If they were praying while loading trucks, probably not.
Zoning is zoning. Ask for a variance.
The pastor and members met with the city, and the city wants them to either apply for a conditional use permit or a zone change.
Oh, I see the city offered them a conditional use permit, or a zone change.
Why doesn't the pastor apply for one of these?
The First Amendment.
BTW, your cheap shot at the guy's name betrays your intentions. You might want to reevaluate your subtlety quotient if you intend to continue persuing your agenda.
What does the First Amendment have to do with zoning laws?
There's nothing in it, as I read it, about zoning laws.
Which, according to federalism, allows LOCAL entities to establish laws particular to their needs.
Think twice before bestowing victimhood upon yourself, especially in the name of Jesus, for whom too many today suffer real persecution.
Cite for me a few instances where zoning restrictions have been declared unconstitutional. Two or three will suffice.
The same zoning laws that restrict the construction of churches also restrict placing a gentleman's club next door to a church.
This may make sense to you, but it makes no sense to me.
Drop the subjunctive case, and tell me what you're trying to say here.
But to get back to your original question, if you'd ever followed legal disputes about cities trying to shut down gentleman's clubs etc, that is the precise way such clubs usually manage to stay open.
Gentlemen's clubs, at least where I live, have to apply for a variance to zoning restrictions that forbid "adult businesses." They don't get the variance, ever.
'Course we're dry here too, so there's not much interest in opening gentlemen's clubs in a dry city.
Churches thus would minimally appear to have that right, even if you make the highly questionable IMO assumption that Churches are properly are constitutionally protected to no higher standard than that of "gentleman's clubs" etc.
Again, this is a confusing mess of a sentence, but, if I understand you, churches ought to be able to locate wherever they want.
They can't. Zoning laws (constitutional zoning laws) say they can't.
A church can meet, temporarily, in a warehouse location; I've been to a couple. But that is a variance, typically with a time limit.
Zoning laws can,and do, restrict the placement of churches, adult businesses, and regular businesses. And they ARE constitutional.
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