June 26, 2002
Source: Los Angeles Times
On June 26, 2002 the Los Angeles Times reported city officials have halted the construction work on a home used by Congregation Etz Chaim, for Orthodox Jewish services, part of an on-going battle over zoning in the residential neighborhood. "Congregation Etz Chaim's dilemma was cited by federal lawmakers when they passed the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000... The law prohibits local land-use and zoning regulations from substantially burdening religious practice, unless officials can show a compelling government reason for their actions... Zoning conflicts involving houses of worship have arisen across Southern California in recent years."