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Unfair Treatment from the City of Mobile
1. City of Mobile asked the Meditation Center of AL (MCA) to prove that they are a religious organization. No other religious organization in Mobile has ever undergone a religious test.
2. All IRS documentation and articles of incorporation stating MCA's purpose to “teach meditation and to expand the knowledge of Buddhism” were submitted.
3. City of Mobile refused to believe that MCA is a religious organization after all documentation was submitted.
4. All churches are permitted to build religious facilities in R1 zoned property. MCA was not treated as a religious organization but as a commercial entity. Commercial businesses are not allowed to build on R1.
5. Planning Commissioners denied MCA for not being compatible with the surrounding area, a substandard road and traffic concerns (see Planning Commissioner letter for reasons of denial under 'Lawsuit Documentation' tab).
6. A traffic study was done by a traffic engineer and there were no traffic barriers found to build on the subject property. The results of this study were available to all Planning Commissioner members.
7. The proposed property would be located in the heart of a 6.7 acre property that is secluded and densely wooded on all sides.
8. Planning Commissioners have never outright denied a church's request to build on an R1 zoned property even when found to be on substandard conditions. They have worked with all churches to modify their plans and overcome all planning and engineering obstacles. The Planning Commissioner and City of Mobile never attempted to work with MCA. MCA complied with all engineering requests asked of them and remain wiling to make any modifications to build on the subject property.
9. During a federal trial MCA's Buddhist teaching monk and Buddhist teacher testified to the Buddhist nature of MCA's teachings and meditation technique. The Dhammakaya Buddhist Meditation Method can be used by people of all faiths, religions and nationalities to find inner peace and attain enlightenment. The federal judge upheld City of Mobile's stance and unequal treatment of all religions.
2. All IRS documentation and articles of incorporation stating MCA's purpose to “teach meditation and to expand the knowledge of Buddhism” were submitted.
3. City of Mobile refused to believe that MCA is a religious organization after all documentation was submitted.
4. All churches are permitted to build religious facilities in R1 zoned property. MCA was not treated as a religious organization but as a commercial entity. Commercial businesses are not allowed to build on R1.
5. Planning Commissioners denied MCA for not being compatible with the surrounding area, a substandard road and traffic concerns (see Planning Commissioner letter for reasons of denial under 'Lawsuit Documentation' tab).
6. A traffic study was done by a traffic engineer and there were no traffic barriers found to build on the subject property. The results of this study were available to all Planning Commissioner members.
7. The proposed property would be located in the heart of a 6.7 acre property that is secluded and densely wooded on all sides.
8. Planning Commissioners have never outright denied a church's request to build on an R1 zoned property even when found to be on substandard conditions. They have worked with all churches to modify their plans and overcome all planning and engineering obstacles. The Planning Commissioner and City of Mobile never attempted to work with MCA. MCA complied with all engineering requests asked of them and remain wiling to make any modifications to build on the subject property.
9. During a federal trial MCA's Buddhist teaching monk and Buddhist teacher testified to the Buddhist nature of MCA's teachings and meditation technique. The Dhammakaya Buddhist Meditation Method can be used by people of all faiths, religions and nationalities to find inner peace and attain enlightenment. The federal judge upheld City of Mobile's stance and unequal treatment of all religions.
MCA Case History - Brief Overview
In 2007 a house was bought to start the Meditation Center of Alabama (MCA). After holding a meditation class and conducting religious activities the City of Mobile gave several warnings and violations not to conduct any further gatherings without obtaining a permit. After a public hearing on Nov 2007 the City of Mobile recommended denial of the permit and the application was withdrawn. All classes ceased.
Two years later (2009) MCA reopened in a shopping center on one of the busiest streets in Mobile (Airport Blvd). Weekly meditation classes were held. Visiting instructors came to give public lectures and meditation retreats. Due to high traffic volume, having no place to house Buddhist teaching monks who require separate living quarters, and a busy, commercial setting MCA sought to relocate. A large, tranquil 6.7 acre property on Dog River was found.
A pre-development meeting was held with multiple City officials including a City engineer, traffic engineer, fire department and more to ensure that there were no foreseeable problems with this project. No negative remarks were made and MCA was treated as a religious organization.
During the first planning commissioner meeting many neighbors came to oppose the project and the decision was held over with a special request from the City that MCA was to provide evidence of being a religious organization. This was an unprecedented request. No other church has ever had to undergo a religious test. IRS paperwork clearly stating our purpose to "teach meditation and to expand the knowledge of Buddhism" was submitted.
At the second planning commissioner meeting the City refused to acknowledge us as a religious organization even after submitting all requested documentation. Since we open our doors to all religions, faiths and nationalities we would not be treated as a religious organization but as commercial entity. Commercial entities are not allowed to build on R1 zoned properties. The Planning Commissioners denied MCA's application. Due to unfair treatment MCA appealed the decision to the City Council. This appeal was denied.
MCA went to a bench trial against the City of Mobile in a federal court (2019). A Buddhist teaching monk and Buddhist meditation teacher at MCA testified to the Buddhist nature of MCA's teachings. The federal judge upheld City of Mobile's stance and unequal treatment of all religions.
Two years later (2009) MCA reopened in a shopping center on one of the busiest streets in Mobile (Airport Blvd). Weekly meditation classes were held. Visiting instructors came to give public lectures and meditation retreats. Due to high traffic volume, having no place to house Buddhist teaching monks who require separate living quarters, and a busy, commercial setting MCA sought to relocate. A large, tranquil 6.7 acre property on Dog River was found.
A pre-development meeting was held with multiple City officials including a City engineer, traffic engineer, fire department and more to ensure that there were no foreseeable problems with this project. No negative remarks were made and MCA was treated as a religious organization.
During the first planning commissioner meeting many neighbors came to oppose the project and the decision was held over with a special request from the City that MCA was to provide evidence of being a religious organization. This was an unprecedented request. No other church has ever had to undergo a religious test. IRS paperwork clearly stating our purpose to "teach meditation and to expand the knowledge of Buddhism" was submitted.
At the second planning commissioner meeting the City refused to acknowledge us as a religious organization even after submitting all requested documentation. Since we open our doors to all religions, faiths and nationalities we would not be treated as a religious organization but as commercial entity. Commercial entities are not allowed to build on R1 zoned properties. The Planning Commissioners denied MCA's application. Due to unfair treatment MCA appealed the decision to the City Council. This appeal was denied.
MCA went to a bench trial against the City of Mobile in a federal court (2019). A Buddhist teaching monk and Buddhist meditation teacher at MCA testified to the Buddhist nature of MCA's teachings. The federal judge upheld City of Mobile's stance and unequal treatment of all religions.