AZ: Gilbert not alone in home-church debate

East Valley Tribune: “Even though Gilbert appeared to have become a nasty poster child for restricting religious freedom, other East Valley municipalities too have had to deal with issues that arise when church services or meetings take place in residential neighborhoods . . . Meanwhile, a House bill sponsored by Rep. Steve Yarbrough, R-Chandler, aimed at defining the kinds of zoning restrictions municipalities can put on places of worship is opposed by the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, on grounds that it gives any person the ability to locate anywhere in the name of religious practice, regardless of neighborhood impact . . . The proposed legislation is about treating religious groups equally to other groups, said Deborah Sheasby, legal counsel for the Center for Arizona Policy, which favors the bill.” | HB 2596 “amends the Free Exercise of Religion statutes with regards to land use.”