A Summit congregation is suing the city, arguing its own government violated federal religious freedom law by blocking its plans to build a sanctuary. Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation filed the lawsuit after the Zoning Board of Adjustment rejected its proposal for 695 Springfield Ave. — a decision that came only after one of the longest zoning fights in recent memory.

City records show Beacon's application first came before the zoning board in December 2024. It dragged through at least 10 separate hearings over roughly 16 months before the board finally denied it in April 2026. The site sits on one of Summit's most visible commercial corridors, and the denial stands unless a federal court steps in and overturns it.

Councilwoman Jackie Lasaracina broke the news to colleagues at the July 7 Common Council meeting, confirming the city is a named party in the case. "We understand, of course, and we know everyone appreciates that there are sensitivities around lawsuits," she said. "But we also have heard time and time again that the community wants to know more, and we understand because this is litigation against the community. It impacts all of us."

That admission sparked a bigger conversation about how much elected officials can actually say. Councilman Jamel Boyer pressed City Solicitor Marina Brown for guidance, wanting to give residents "a rundown from my perspective." Brown's answer: council members can discuss anything already in the publicly filed complaint, since that's part of the public record — but not much beyond that.

The Beacon case isn't the only litigation Summit is juggling; a separate lawsuit over the former Old Firehouse property and K&K Developers came up at the same meeting. No next court date has been publicly scheduled for the Beacon case.