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By Kent Larsen
Harrison NY Appeals Decision Favoring Temple
HARRISON, NEW YORK -- A lawyer for the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints says that the Church will continue to fight for the
right to build a Temple in Harrison, New York, vigorously opposing an
appeal by the town of a court decision favorable to the building.
Last month a Westchster judge overruled the town's Zoning Board of
Appeals, and ordered the board to grant a zoning variance to the
Church.
"Based upon what we read, we thought that the court applied the law
incorrectly to the facts," said board chairman Andrew Schiff. Acting
Justice Peter Leavitt ruled March 9th that the zoning board's 5-2
decision failed to state a legitimate reason for rejecting the
Church's plans. The proposed temple, at 53 feet tall, is taller than
permitted under town law, which limits buildings to 30 feet. The
board also said that the temple would be "out of character" for the
neighborhood.
Church lawyer Jim Staudt said that the Church had already worked hard
to satisfy the building's neighbors, "The Mormon Church reduced the
size of the temple building substantially and screened it from view
at the request of its neighbors and the Harrison Planning Board," he
told the Journal News.
Meanwhile, some residents were pleased with the decision to appeal,
"I'm pleased that the zoning board's reconfiguration in the past few
months has not altered it's resolve to protect the residents of
Harrison from others who would seek to overdevelop our neighborhood,"
said neighbor Gary Brandt.
Source:
Town continues fight to halt Mormon temple
Westchester co NY Journal News 9Apr01 D1
By Karen Pasternack: Journal News
See also:
Harrison Temple Gets Judge's Blessing
Proposed White Plains Temple Loses Zoning Decision
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