Church Fights Back Against City Authorities
A Colorado church, known as Church of the Rock or The Rock Church, has initiated legal action against the Town of Castle Rock, alleging that the city government has refused approval for a homeless shelter on the church’s property. The church, a nondenominational congregation, contends that the town and its zoning manager are attempting to prevent them from offering shelter to individuals experiencing temporary homelessness.
The complaint states that the church had allowed RVs to camp on its property as a temporary shelter, with two campers present as of November 2021. These campers were reportedly used occasionally since 2019 to provide overnight shelter for those participating in the church’s compassionate care programs. The church argues that Castle Rock lacks the authority to dictate which vehicles can be parked on its private property and control activities like sitting, standing, eating, or sleeping in such vehicles.
Church of the Rock asserts its right to provide temporary shelter for the homeless under the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act. The church has expressed interest in constructing short-term housing for the less fortunate and had previously submitted an application for the project.
In response to the church’s aspirations, Castle Rock officials explained that the church must amend its development plan to allow for additional uses, including housing. The church had submitted a pre-application meeting request for a new community worship center with various services, housing options, a family wellness center, and community services. However, the town highlighted that the church’s current zoning does not permit housing, and any changes would require a formal application, public neighborhood meetings, and a lengthy review process taking six to nine months or longer.
This legal dispute underscores the broader challenges faced by religious institutions seeking to provide assistance to the homeless and navigating zoning regulations and city approval processes. The church’s pursuit of legal action reflects its commitment to providing temporary shelter in accordance with its religious beliefs despite facing regulatory hurdles.