Sandy Springs nearing resolution on Scientology case By Dan Whisenhunt on May 15, 2012....According to federal court records, the two parties met in a mediation session on March 26.The consent order filed on March 30 says the church and the city didn’t finalize an agreement during that session but says both sides are willing to consider a revised parking plan. The consent order says city staff needed 30 to 45 days to review the plan, and said any zoning changes would require public notice 15 days in advance of a public hearing. The order also extends the deadline to submit a “proposed consolidated pretrial order” to June 15.City Attorney Wendell Willard confirmed the consent order, but declined further comment.“We’re in the process of evaluating that,” Willard said. “It’s not completed.”more at http://www.reporternewspapers.net/2012/05/15/sandy-springs-nearing-resolution-on-scientology-case/
Consent OrderAmended Order of February 10, 2012, The Parties were ordered to mediation no later than April 2, 2012. On March 26, 2012 the Parties mediated before the Hon. Stanley Burch the issue of whether an acceptable parking arrangement could be agreed upon to allow Plaintiff's requested expansion and modification of the basement for church use.While it appears that no agreement was finalized in mediation, the Parties agreed to consideration of a revised parking arrangement on the Subject Property. Should a revised parking arrangement be acceptable to the City, Plaintiff seeks modification of existing zoning conditions which would further require public notice at least 15 days in advance of a new public hearing. Absent such notice and public hearing, the existing conditions of zoning may not be modified.The Court previously established a deadline of June 15, 2012 for submission of a Proposed Consolidated Pre-Trial Order in this case by its Order of March 9, 2012. While that deadline had been previously extended, review of the proposed site plan took longer than anticipated. That review has now been completed and the public hearing on the revised plan has been noticed and is scheduled for June 19, 2012. One final extension of the deadline for filing the Pre-Trial Order will permit the Parties to conclude their settlement efforts by holding the public hearing.Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the deadline for submission of a Proposed Consolidated Pre-Trial Order in the above style case is hereby extended until June 30, 2012 to facilitate the continuation of settlement efforts and adoption of any changed conditions to zoning necessary to resolve this matter.
more at http://www.reporternewspapers.net/2012/06/19/sandy-springs-city-council-defers-settlement-of-scientology-lawsuit/
From before the meeting:http://www.cbsatlanta.com/story/18828888/sandy-springs-city-council-to-vote-on-church-of-scientology-expansion
Robin Beechey was very eloquent at the meeting.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Residents object to Scientology rezoningJuly 11, 2012 02:14 PM EDITOR:We represent several hundred homeowners who live in the immediate vicinity of 5395 Roswell Road. We objected to the original rezoning in 2009 and now object strongly to a further proposed expansion of the use as a church, by conversion of the basement parking garage.We believe...
....Woody Galloway, an attorney for the church, told CBS Atlanta that the church will use land at the adjacent post office to secure an additional 50 parking spots and comply with city ordinances."This is a desperate attempt to try to prevent the church from going forward," Galloway said. "They will not be successful."Galloway said that a 44,000-square-foot church facility will generate less traffic than the offices the building once housed."There is no reason for this case to be denied," Galloway said.The council voted to allow the church to continue with its plans, but some neighbors said their fight isn't over - they're considering a lawsuit against the Sandy Springs next."We won the argument but lost the case," Beechey said.Video: http://www.cbsatlanta.com/story/19045059/vote-expected-on-church-of-scientoCopyright 2012 WGCL-TV (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved
With a packed house looking on Tuesday night, the Sandy Springs City Council approved a request by the Church of Scientology to expand its facility near the corner of Roswell Road and Glendridge Drive.The 5-1 vote ended a three-year battle the church has waged to add 12,000 square feet to a former office building it has occupied since 2009."It's been a long struggle," said attorney William Woodson Galloway, who represented the church. "We think the City Council did the right thing in approving the settlement."A crowd of about 50 church members were on hand to speak in support of the expansion.
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Topic: RLUIPA Law Suit Filed by Church of Scientology of Georgia (Read 101194 times)