By TODD WRIGHT
twright@@MiamiHerald.com
Hollywood commissioners voted late today to allow an Orthodox Jewish synagogue to stay at its current location in a residential neighborhood in return for the group dropping its religious discrimination lawsuit against them.
The last-minute proposal does not include the city paying any money to the Hollywood Community Synagogue Chabad Lubavitch, which currently operates out of two residential houses on North 46th Avenue in Hollywood Hills.
Angry neighbors complained about cars parked, traffic and noise, and the City Commission responded by trying to boot the synagogue.
The trial is schedule to start Monday.
City officials may have been pushed to the negotiating table after a U.S. District judge ruled in favor of the synagogue earlier this week. Judge Joan Lenard ruled the city's special exception permit, which sets the guidelines that allow religious groups to operate in residential neighborhoods, were unconstitutional and also said the Chabad Lebavitch was entitled to damages.
The city is expected to revamp its special exception code and the Chabad would be required to reapply for the permit. Other religious which currently have the permit may also have to apply under the new guidelines.
The settlement also stipulates that the Chabad drop their lawsuit against City Commissioner Sal Oliveri, who was specifically named in the discrimination lawsuit.
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