Farm owners file lawsuit over zoning dispute with borough

Weddings, religious fundraisers at issue

The owners of a Sewickley Heights farm who have been in a dispute with borough officials over the use of their farm for weddings and religious fundraisers, have filed suit against the borough in U.S. District Court.

In the lawsuit, filed last month by the Independence Law Center of Harrisburg, Scott and Theresa Fetterolf, owners of Dundee Farm, claim that the borough violated their constitutional rights when they were notified they were in violation of the borough’s zoning ordinance by holding Bible study classes and other religious gatherings.

Randall Wenger, chief counsel for the Independence Law Center, said the lawsuit is in defense of citizens’ most basic rights.

“The borough has no business overseeing a group of people reading and discussing a book together on private property — even if that book is the Bible,” he said.

Secular activities, such as parties, political fundraisers, and book clubs are permitted in the neighborhood, which is zoned as a historical district. However, borough manager and zoning officer Katie Stringent has testified before the borough zoning hearing commission that since the 83-yearold farm is located in an Historical-Rural Residential District, it can’t be used as a “Place of Worship,” “Place of Assembly,” “Commercial Venue/Event Space,” or “Specialor Studio School”.

According to the borough’s website, such activities are “either not permitted on the property, or permitted onlyas a conditional use.

Calls to borough officials have not been returned.