Land Use,
Civil Rights
Apr. 9, 2025
Judge says Santa Ana's denial of church permit likely violated religious land use protections
U.S. District Judge John W. Holcomb issued a preliminary injunction Monday allowing Anchor Stone Christian Church to move forward with renovations for worship services at a Santa Ana property it's owned since 2022. The court found the church is likely to prevail on claims under federal law that prohibits discrimination against religious groups in land use decisions.
The city of Santa Ana was preliminary enjoined from preventing a small church from holding religious services on a property it has not been able to use since purchasing it in 2022.
U.S. District Judge John W. Holcomb issued the order late Monday. It allows Anchor Stone Christian Church to renovate the property for religious assembly use. Holcomb found the church established it was likely to succeed on the merits of its religious land use and discrimination claims.
The ord...
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