By ANGELA MARSHALL
"They have put [the property] up for sale, but at the same time, they have filed an appeal to the [state] Supreme Court," said Bill Boness, one of the congregation's lawyers.
Church members put the property up for sale after they failed to pass the latest legal hurdle put up by the Town of Hempstead Council. In September, the council unanimously denied the church the right to lift a convenant that said the property must be maintained as a warehouse. Church members would still like to move into the Baldwin location if they receive a favorable ruling from the Supreme Court, Mr. Boness said.
Counsel for the church has long maintained that it has a constitutional right to build wherever it wants.
For three years, the non-denominational Christian church has applied for permits and variances from both the town building department and zoning board.
It has also been met by intense community opposition. Approximately 2,000 residents gathered at Baldwin High School in October 1997 to protest church plans, which included building second-floor dormitories and a cafeteria often referred to as a "catering hall." A lack of parking has also been the subject of debate.
Jill Martinez, who has represented Baldwin residents in their fight, told members of Baldwin's Chamber of Commerce at their Nov. 21 meeting that she felt the town's decision "is the last nail in the coffin."
