TRI In The News
Waynesboro Planning Commission Delays Its Decision on Shelter Request
From Newsleader.com
Original article available here
Members of Waynesboro's Planning Commission will ask the city attorney for advice before taking up a request to change a city ordinance to allow more churches to host homeless shelters.
Organizers of the Waynesboro Area Refuge Ministry believe making churches that want to participate in the rotating, cold-weather shelter is too restrictive and would bar some from taking part at all.
During a public hearing on the request to change the ordinance Tuesday, commissioners were concerned about claims by a lawyer from The Rutherford Institute that the city's current ordinance violates state and federal law. Rutherford is a Charlottesville-based nonprofit that advocates for religious freedom.
After the hearing, commission members voted unanimously to get a response to her statements from City Attorney Todd Patrick before making a recommendation vote for the City Council.
The panel's next meeting is scheduled for May.
