Haverstraw Aims to Settle Suit After Rejecting Plans for Shul Since 2021

by M.C. Millman

The Town of Haverstraw has drawn up a Stipulation of Agreement for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in an effort to work towards a settlement deal with K'Hal Bnei Torah of Mount Ivy.

The agreement is a result of a controversial land-use case by the shul, which has the Town of Haverstraw and three Planning Board members looking at a federal civil rights lawsuit.The shul has been presenting its request before land-use boards since 2021 in its ongoing effort to convert a single-family home into a shul. 

The USA Today Network New York quotes Robert Tuttle, a professor at George Washington University Law School and a specialist in religion and law, who stated in a recent interview, "There is no rational basis for the ‘no’ vote. The claims are inconsistent with the existing findings and approvals that were made."

The Stipulation Settlement, which will end the shul's legal action, says the Town will cover the shul's  $235,000 legal fees. It asks for minor alterations to the plans for the shul, such as a slight reduction in the shul's upper level.

"I'm pleased that the Town of Haverstraw, NY is finally approving the zoning for a synagogue," Joel Petlin, Superintendent of the Kiryas Joel School District,  tweeted on Thursday, February 9, "but it shouldn't have to take filing an expensive Federal lawsuit in order to finally make it happen. Both the taxpayers and the congregation suffers from exclusionary zoning decisions."

A joint meeting of the boards is scheduled to take place at 7 p.m. Monday night at the Haverstraw Town Hall, 1 Rosman Road. The posted agenda includes a "Resolution authoring settlement of the lawsuit brought by K'Hal Bnei Torah of Mount Ivy against the Town of Haverstraw et al.