The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas v. The City of Mission Woods, Kansas (D. Kan.)

On May 24, 2018, the United States filed a statement of interest in The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas v. The City of Mission Woods, Kansas (D. Kan.).  St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Catholic Church filed a land use application with the City of Mission Woods, Kansas to convert a dilapidated single-family residence into a “Meeting House” to hold religious classes, Bible studies, youth prayer groups, and other religious activities.  The Church argued that the Meeting House was necessary because its current facilities are at maximum capacity and it required additional meeting space for its religious activities.  The Mission Woods City Council, based on a recommendation from the City Planning Commission, denied the Church’s application.  The Church and Archdiocese brought claims under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (“RLUIPA”), in addition to other claims.  The United States’ statement of interest discusses the appropriate standard for substantial burden claims under RLUIPA, and argues that the Church and Archdiocese produced sufficient evidence to defeat the City’s motion for summary judgment on their substantial burden claim.