By Howard Fischer | Daily Independent
Worries that established neighborhoods would be overrun with high-density housing, that developers would take advantage of leases and even that witches could move in led a deeply divided Arizona house on Thursday to reject a measure giving churches the right to put homes on their land.
The measure that would have allowed established churches across the state to lease out portions of their property to developers to build single-family homes failed even though it was greatly watered down to try to win over opponents.
In a rare move, the House also voted to deny backers the routine ability to bring House Bill 2191 back for another vote. Although not fatal, since lawmakers have other options to revive the bill, it makes it much more difficult.
The bill is touted as a way to boost affordable housing in the state, which like many others is struggling with a housing shortage. But it drew the ire of neighborhood groups and cities because it would override local zoning rules and even opposition from a pastor who is a member of the House.
The pastor, Rep. Lupe Diaz, R-Benson, said he believes the measure puts churches at risk of losing their tax-exempt status. But he also said federal fair housing laws would kick in if homes were built on church-owned land, meaning the homes can’t be sold to only church members.
“The housing is going to be available to the general public, No. 1, which means that (anyone), contrary to what you believe, can come in,” Diaz said.
“It could be a witch coven,” he said. “It could be Satanists who move in, and that puts the church in a very critical position and very vulnerable position for lawsuits and that kind of thing.
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