Town of Haverstraw to Settle Lawsuit with Shul

By Hamodia Staff

A Stipulation of Agreement was drawn up for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in a land-use case by an shul in Haverstraw which may settle a federal civil rights law suit brought by the shul against the town and three Planning Board members, the Journal News reported.

K’hal Bnei Torah of Mount Ivy had sought permission since 2021 to convert a single-family home at 62 Riverglen Drive into a shul. While variances were issued along the way, on Aug. 10, 2022, the Planning Board voted 3-2 to deny final approval.

On that day, antisemitic comments were made by local residents who opposed the shul, and a neighbor said he would “of course” back up his vehicle over Orthodox Jewish children if he was to run over them. The comments brought national condemnation, with a pledge by the New York State Attorney General to help with any investigation into criminal charges, which never took place.

Town land-use attorney Christie Addona had read a resolution which referenced the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) seven times while explaining why the board should vote to approve the plan. RLUIPA prohibits local land-use rules that impose a “substantial burden” on the religious exercise of a person or religious assembly or institution.

When the resolution was voted down, some seventy residents erupted in cheers while Addona sat quietly with her head in her hands indicating her surprise at the outcome.

The proposed resolution would have the shul slightly reduce the second level of the planned structure, and the town would cover the shul’s $235,000 legal fees they incurred.

Part of the agreement would have the synagogue’s upper level slightly reduced and other modifications, and the Planning Board would issue its approval.

A notice and agenda of a joint meeting of the town board and the planning board to take place at 7 p.m. on Monday, February 13 was posted around 5 p.m. on February 9 on the town’s website. The meeting is scheduled to take place at the Town Hall located at 1 Rosman Road.