Sol, there is no need for you to throw in the words "Orthodox Jews" into your question. That introduces a prejudice and an implication that my comments were based on that. I don't appreciate it and you know that is not what I was saying. You are focusing on the religious aspect and failing to step back and look at the laws of the town. It does not matter if you are Orthodox Jews, Amish, Buddist, Muslim or a heavy metal band.

In retrospect, my use of the word "overturn" in the previous post was not appropriate. It does read harsher than what I was trying to say.   The issues I raised in my previous post were meant to be "devils advocate" in a sense. I do see reasons why people would block such a dwelling and it has nothing to do with religion.

As you said, it is "one residential block". Regardless of what surrounds it, the law was on the books. The right thing to do would have been to try to change the zoning through established means. Trying that after the fact only hurt your case.

You will never win a battle unless you can understand how the other side is thinking. It doesn't mean you have to agree with them, but you do need to understand what motivates them. The tone of the discussion has focused on "religious discrimination" and the assumption that is the motivating factor behind the denial. I cannot say that you are wrong, but I do see other issues that would be factors in the case - and I believe they are factors that would exist regardless of who is trying to establish a "transient" dwelling. THOSE are the issues that you need to address and fix if you are going to get permission.

In my town, there has been a similar issue concerning the establishment of senior citizen housing in a residential neighborhood. Parking and traffic were the main issue and the residents concerns were not addressed. The organization was denied a permit to build.

Trust me when I tell you that I do hope this shabbos house is able to get approval.