Monroe village board delays 'places of worship' vote following NY AG concerns

The comprehensive plan is intended to provide a foundation for all future zoning and land use decisions in the village, according to documents posted online.

Jonathan Gordon

Sep 14, 2023, 8:15 PM

Updated 316 days ago

Share:

The village of Monroe Board of Trustees did not take a vote on a proposed law amendment that would regulate where places of worship can be.
Local law #5 was part of 13 law amendments before the board Thursday night as part of the village's comprehensive plan to guide future zoning and land-use decisions.
The proposal would amend the zoning law to "regulate Residential Gathering Places, Neighborhood Places of Worship, Community Places of Worship, and Schools of General Instruction in certain zoning districts while maintaining the established residential character and quality of life of existing neighborhoods, and protect the health, safety, and general welfare of Village of Monroe residents."
New York Attorney General Letitia James' office sent a notice to Village Mayor Neil Dwyer voicing "serious concerns" the amendment violates state and federal law by restricting the religious practice of Orthodox Jewish residents.
"The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) asks that you delay any action on Local Law 5 until our office has a thorough opportunity to evaluate the law," wrote Rick Sawyer, Special Counsel for Hate Crimes.
James' office is requesting the village provide a written justification describing the compelling governmental interest the amendment is intended to address and why it is the least restrictive means for advancing that interest including what specific problems the law seeks to remedy by Sept. 29.
The other 12 amendments passed unanimously.
The board's next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 26.


More from News 12
1:52
Hudson Valley doctors warn of listeria dangers following multi-state outbreak

Hudson Valley doctors warn of listeria dangers following multi-state outbreak

2:04
Sunny skies and warm temps for Saturday in the Hudson Valley

Sunny skies and warm temps for Saturday in the Hudson Valley

0:38
Multimillion-dollar transformation on the way for sections of Hudson Valley

Multimillion-dollar transformation on the way for sections of Hudson Valley

0:49
New basketball documentary film 'The Process' has ties to Westchester

New basketball documentary film 'The Process' has ties to Westchester

0:49
Olympic watch party in Pomona cheers on Rockland athletes

Olympic watch party in Pomona cheers on Rockland athletes

0:32
Veteran firefighter who suffered stroke receives warm welcome home

Veteran firefighter who suffered stroke receives warm welcome home

0:17
Yorktown police sergeant celebrates final walkout following 2 decades of service

Yorktown police sergeant celebrates final walkout following 2 decades of service

1:40
Lithium-ion battery fire blamed for closure of Newburgh tailor shop

Lithium-ion battery fire blamed for closure of Newburgh tailor shop

0:52
Slate Hill family of 5 loses home in afternoon blaze

Slate Hill family of 5 loses home in afternoon blaze

0:37
2 people charged in Middletown narcotics; firearms bust

2 people charged in Middletown narcotics; firearms bust

1:30
Motorcycle, van crash in Greenburgh causes serious injuries

Motorcycle, van crash in Greenburgh causes serious injuries

0:56
News 12 probes mystery cloud traced to Orange County & seen throughout tri-state area

News 12 probes mystery cloud traced to Orange County & seen throughout tri-state area

1:02
Hillcrest Fire Department receives 2,000 cans of drinking water, courtesy of Anheuser-Busch

Hillcrest Fire Department receives 2,000 cans of drinking water, courtesy of Anheuser-Busch

1:37
Storm Watch Team Meteorologist Skyler Harman strikes down lightning myths

Storm Watch Team Meteorologist Skyler Harman strikes down lightning myths

2:33
Can swimming become dangerous due to extremely high water surface temperatures?

Can swimming become dangerous due to extremely high water surface temperatures?

0:32
NYC officials: Westchester caseworker’s death ruled a homicide

NYC officials: Westchester caseworker’s death ruled a homicide

0:40
State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program

State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program

0:34
Ex Frito-Lay employee files defamation lawsuit against PepsiCo claiming he invented ‘Flamin’ Hot Cheetos

Ex Frito-Lay employee files defamation lawsuit against PepsiCo claiming he invented ‘Flamin’ Hot Cheetos

0:40
Executive orders still in place preventing Rockland County and Orange County hotels from converting into migrant shelters

Executive orders still in place preventing Rockland County and Orange County hotels from converting into migrant shelters

0:34
Finger in salad lawsuit against Chop’t discontinued

Finger in salad lawsuit against Chop’t discontinued