10/28/2005: First Pentecostal United Holy Church settles lawsuit with City of Chesapeake, Virginia for $1.1 million
"Our clients are very pleased," said Roman Paul Storzer, a Washington, D.C., attorney and co-counsel for the church. "This gives them the opportunity to keep doing the good work they're doing in the community for some time to come.
Storzer said First Pentecostal had a strong case if the dispute had gone to trial.
"The importance of this settlement is clear," he said. "Cities must consider the religious rights of churches when planning their economic agendas.
Chesapeake settles property dispute with church for $1.1 million, Virginian-Pilot (October 28, 2005):
"The importance of this settlement is clear," stated Roman P. Storzer, co-counsel for the Church and church-zoning expert, "cities must consider the religious rights of churches when planning their economic agendas." When the property, which had formerly housed a supermarket, was put on the market several years ago, the Church was the only interested buyer. "With the settlement, the City of Chesapeake is choosing to invest in its revitalization plan through the purchase of the property, rather than denying construction permits to those who saw a different vision for the community in which they live."
Federal lawsuit against City of Chesapeake Settled; City Offers First Pentecostal United Holy Church $1.1 Million for Property, Press Release (Oct. 27, 2005).
Court is best arbiter in church-city dispute, The Virginian-Pilot (Jan. 23, 2005).