Is the City of New Westminster violating the B.C. Human Rights Code by putting zoning restrictions on churches? That’s a question the city will take to its lawyer.
The Canada Islamic Cultural Society has applied for a temporary use permit so it can use a part of the upper level of the Heritage Hall at 718 12th St. for religious worship and assembly purposes. The site allows for public assembly, but religious assembly is a separate category in the zoning bylaw.
“This actually could be discriminatory in the sense of the Human Rights Code in terms of religious freedom,” Coun. Bill Harper said. “All they are doing is renting a space in the old Carpenters Hall. … I am actually wondering why this bylaw is structured the way it is. Maybe it should be reviewed.”
While groups like Boy Scouts can meet in the space, Harper said religious groups are required to get a temporary use permit.
“That bothers me, quite frankly,” he said.
Bev Grieve, the city’s director of development services, said the zoning bylaw has a separate category for places of worship, which is meant for a wide variety of religious institutions. When the Islamic Society approached city staff about the space, she said it made sense the church stay at the 12th Street location while it searches for a permanent home in New West.
Council supported the staff recommendation to process the temporary use permit application from the Canada Islamic Cultural Society, but also directed staff to get a legal opinion on whether it’s legal to single out religious assembly as a permitted use in the zoning bylaw.
“There is a reason why you have zoning for churches,” said Coun. Chuck Puchmayr. “One of them is tax exemptions. The other is so you can have some control over the impacts they may have in a community with regards to parking.”
