By Michael McDaniel | YourValley
The Goodyear City Council voted unanimously on Feb. 26 to approve a zoning ordinance amendment allowing churches to be built in any zoning area.
Previously, churches required commercial zoning before they were allowed in an area. Monday’s approval will enable churches in all zoning districts.
Christian Williams, interim planning manager for the city of Goodyear, believes the amendment will comply with long-established federal and state law.
“We need to keep in mind the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act or RLUIPA and the Arizona Free Exercise of Religion Act, Arizona FERA, and the First Amendment provide a lot of guidance on how these uses are to be treated in an equitable manner,” Williams said.