Town of Brighton

BRIGHTON AND FAITH TEMPLE SETTLE LAWSUIT:

The town of Brighton and Faith Temple have settled a land dispute that will allow for the expansion of Buckland Park and for Faith Temple to build a new church, school and housing for seniors.

Brighton Supervisor Sandra Frankel announced today that under the settlement, Buckland Park will expand from 50 acres to 121 acres. Faith Temple can now move forward with its application for approval of a new church, school and senior housing on 72.5 acres fronting South Winton and Westfall roads.

“It is an exciting day,” Frankel said. “It provides closure and a win-win situation.”

Rev. Stephen Edlin, senior pastor of Faith Temple, said today is a great day for Faith Temple and the community.

“We certainly are excited,” Edlin said. “And we love the community of Brighton. We can’t think of a better place to have our church.”

The settlement means that the town of Brighton will purchase 43 of the 66 acres to the east of the existing Buckland Park and 28 acres to the west for $2.9 million.

The agreement settles a lawsuit Faith Temple filed two years ago against the town. The town wanted to use eminent domain to purchase close to 70 acres east of Buckland Park.

The church sued in an effort to keep its land.

This case was being watched across the country for the potential constitutional issues it involved, but I'm glad to read the parties were able to forfend continued litigation.