State Judge Strikes Down “House of Worship Law” in Chestnut Ridge

YS GOLD 

A New York State judge has issued a ruling declaring the Village of Chestnut Ridge’s 2019 “House of Worship” (HOW) law null and void.

The HOW law was designed to create a more equitable and practical process for establishing houses of worship within the village. Before its passage, zoning restrictions made it very difficult to construct a house of worship. Following the law’s adoption, several neighborhood based worship spaces were successfully established under the new guidelines.

The lawsuit was initiated by Hilda Kogut, President of Citizens United to Protect Our Neighborhoods (CUPON), along with two co petitioners. They argued that the Village did not adequately comply with the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) when enacting the law. The court agreed with the plaintiffs, leading to today’s decision to invalidate the HOW law on procedural grounds.

The Village Board respectfully disagrees with the ruling and intends to consult with legal counsel to explore all appropriate options for moving forward in a manner that protects residents' interests and maintains the integrity of local legislation.