Hollywood, FL - City and Synagogue Come To A Last Minute Two Million Dollar Deal

Hollywood, FL - The city of Hollywood and an Orthodox Jewish synagogue have agreed on a last-minute deal that will allow the religious group to continue to operate out of two residential houses despite nearby residents' complaints. The settlement was announced at the U.S. Courthouse in Miami, where the two sides were originally scheduled to begin pick the jury that would decide the religious discrimination trial.

Instead, city commissioners agreed to pay the Hollywood Community Synagogue $2 million to stay out of court and will allow them to stay permanently at their current location, and they are also allowed to expand anywhere in the neighborhood without applying for a special permit that other religious groups are required to have to operate in a single-family residential zone.

The city also agreed to revamp its special permit requirements, and city employees, including commissioners, are required to attend religious sensitivity training.

In return, the synagogue and the U.S. Justice Department will drop its lawsuit against Commissioner Sal Oliveri. The agreement must be approved by the City Commission July 5 or the trail will resume July 6, U.S. District Judge Joan Lenard said.

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The Commissioners are expected to vote Wednesday on the settlement.