Proposed law would protect church rights

A decision to keep a church from locating in downtown Yuma could end up having a statewide impact if a proposal in the Arizona Legislature eventually becomes law.

The legislation drafted by a Chandler lawmaker would prohibit cities from using zoning codes or land use restrictions to restrict where churches can be located. Instead, they would have be treated like any commercial establishment.

Rep. Steve Yarbrough's proposal is reportedly in reaction to the city of Yuma preventing a church from locating downturn because it would conflict with the city's redevelopment efforts to turn the area into a business and entertainment district. Business owners in the area protested the church plan to locate there.

Representatives of the Centro Familiar Cristiano Buenas Nuevas church filed suit saying the city action violated the church's rights under federal law, although a U.S. district judge disagreed in a ruling.

In many cities, churches have traditionally been located in commercial zones. That is the case even now in some parts of Yuma and was the case historically in Yuma's downtown area. Yet the city of Yuma deemed it inappropriate in this particular case, a decision we think was wrong.

Yarbrough seeks to head that off in the future by ensuring that churches are treated like any commercial establishments. If any type of business is allowed in an area, then so would churches.

Yarbrough says he is not seeking special treatment for churches. He said they would have to meet the same standards as other businesses as far as safety codes, parking and such.

What Yarbrough's legislation seeks to do is to ensure there are no improper restrictions by cities regarding the location of churches and as such it will be a welcome addition to state statutes.