[ Fox5 ] Leaders of Henderson Hindu temple allege city ‘discriminated’ in updating ordinance, blocking temple from being built

The fight to build a Hindu temple, Anand Utsav Mandir, in Henderson, Nevada, continues. The temple was planned to be built on a five-acre plot in a rural neighborhood. The founders of the American Hindu Association (AHA), Satish Bhatnagar and Baba Anal, bought the land for just over $400,000. Despite opposition from local residents, the city council approved the project in a meeting in August 2022.

However, residents appealed the decision, claiming it would ruin the rural preservation area. Despite this, the city council denied the residents’ appeal and granted the AHA a conditional use permit, which would expire one year later. The temple leaders began to meet the many conditions required for the permit.

Before the permit was set to expire, the city updated its rural code ordinance, disallowing airports, correctional facilities, and religious facilities in the area. The city denied an extension for the permit when asked by the AHA. The AHA has now reached out to the Department of Justice, alleging that the amendment to the development code discriminates against religious institutions and violates the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA). They are determined to challenge the ordinance. The city of Henderson has encouraged the temple representatives to discuss alternate locations that meet city code.

Source: Conversation with Bing
https://www.fox5vegas.com/2024/05/06/leaders-henderson-hindu-temple-allege-city-discriminated-updating-ordinance-blocking-temple-being-built/