Sign of the times: too many churches
by Liberal Seagull
According to a recent Christian Science Monitor article, some communities are starting to face the problem of too many churches. Churches are federally exempt from property taxes and from any local zoning regulations that would create an "undue burden," and they can create budget problems for small towns by using city services while not providing revenue. "Megachurches," in particular, can create significant traffic problems and require upgrades to water and sewage service. Underlying the debate is the question of whether religions organizations should be getting special treatment that exempts them from regulations that prevent other types of development.
According to a recent Christian Science Monitor article, some communities are starting to face the problem of too many churches. Churches are federally exempt from property taxes and from any local zoning regulations that would create an "undue burden," and they can create budget problems for small towns by using city services while not providing revenue. "Megachurches," in particular, can create significant traffic problems and require upgrades to water and sewage service. Underlying the debate is the question of whether religions organizations should be getting special treatment that exempts them from regulations that prevent other types of development.
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