[JerryLove]

Not enough information to answer that... but I will say that rights have limits.

You can't hold a rally that exceeds fire-code for example, or noise ordinance.

[thesteve]

Originally Posted by JerryLove

Not enough information to answer that... but I will say that rights have limits.

You can't hold a rally that exceeds fire-code for example, or noise ordinance.

Indeed. I think the argument that the county is trying to make is that when the Bible study starts taking up several parking spaces on the street, it is spilling over onto county property and requires a permit.

I do think that, if this is really the county's argument, that the comments regarding poker nights, football parties, and other regular home gatherings are definitely valid. Considering that the law firm has already told the county that they would be taken to court if they do not retract their intention of collecting fines/permit fees I would definitely not be surprised to see the county pull out in order to avoid a lengthy, expensive legal process.

[thesteve]

Issue resolved, but a little more explanation of a possible backdrop in this article:
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stori...tud/?uniontrib

Wallar said the person who filed the complaint alleged that Bible study was drawing 30 to 40 cars.

In an interview yesterday, the pastor said at most, there are six additional cars on Bible study day. Jones, pastor of South Bay Community Church in National City, said he has visitors park in a lot that he owns beside his house.

[BillSPrestonEsq]

Originally Posted by thesteve

If there is a law against such gatherings, I definitely feel comfortable saying that it is not being enforced with any consistency in San Diego County.

Having lived there and been party to numerous parties and gatherings, including a jazz concert with 120 guests at my wife's grandmother's place. (which is a 1500 sq ft home with a large yard)

I dare say we probably provided 60 cars in the neighborhood, and it seemed to go unnoticed. (largely perhaps because most of the neighbors were in attendance)

[everyman]

Churches in residential areas in most counties need some kind of a land use permit in order to operate. That's because churches cause certain impacts on the community such as increased traffic, parking, and noise. The San Diego county code requires a permit for religious assemblies. A Bible study group of 20 people that meets once a week is a different creature from church, but it has similar impacts on traffic, parking, and noise. So the question is whether such groups should be treated in a similar manner as churches. It looks like San Diego county has side-stepped the issue for now, but it's something to think about.

County zoning departments operate on a complaint-driven basis. Once a neighbor complains about an activity, the department is compelled to investigate. That seems to be the case with this Bible study group. I betcha something must have happened to irritate the neighbors and that it happened on a regular basis. Dinging someone's car is sure-fire way to get someone riled up. So is taking up all the parking on the small cul-de-sac street. The lesson here is that this sort of problem is avoidable. Instead of crying out, "we're being persecuted by Big Bad Government" the Bible study group should have taken pains to be good neighbors.

[thesteve]

Originally Posted by everyman

County zoning departments operate on a complaint-driven basis. Once a neighbor complains about an activity, the department is compelled to investigate. That seems to be the case with this Bible study group. I betcha something must have happened to irritate the neighbors and that it happened on a regular basis. Dinging someone's car is sure-fire way to get someone riled up. So is taking up all the parking on the small cul-de-sac street. The lesson here is that this sort of problem is avoidable. Instead of crying out, "we're being persecuted by Big Bad Government" the Bible study group should have taken pains to be good neighbors.

In the article (or maybe one of the videos) relations with neighbors were discussed. The pastor and one of the neighbors interviewed both said that the impact of the Bible study on the neighborhood in terms of traffic and parking are acceptable.

I think the issue was more, as you said, someone complained and the county had to look into it. It was also noted that the person who complained was not a resident of the street. If the line of questioning given by the lawyer was accurate, then it definitely would understand why the pastor and his wife felt like they were being attacked for having a Bible study and not because of traffic issues.

[TunerSteve]

If the line of questioning given by the lawyer was accurate, then it definitely would understand why the pastor and his wife felt like they were being attacked for having a Bible study and not because of traffic issues.

That's my concern. Why didn't they just ask, "are you having any regularly scheduled meetings of any type that are religious in nature?" What's with all the "do you say Amen!?", or "Praise the Lord" Likely an investigator with the county with some axe to grind...just speculating.

[tlj009]

Instead of crying out, "we're being persecuted by Big Bad Government" the Bible study group should have taken pains to be good neighbors.

The pastor has another lot where his guests park. He also paid the bill when a guest of his dinged another car. It sounds like he was trying to be a good neighbor.

[jthomas1600]

Yes, and sometimes you have to speak the language of the natives. And this time it sounds like "we're going to bring suit" was the language the locals understood.

[everyman]

In most news accounts on this story, the bulk of the quotes have come from the pastor or his lawyer, and the media is making it seem like this is another example of government intruding into our private lives.

This seems to me like a neighborhood nuisance issue. I suspect that the county government will let the parties work things out between themselves.