January 3, 2023
Federal Judge Dismisses Edgewood’s Lawsuit
On January 3, 2023, the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin issued judgement in favor of the City Of Madison, dismissing all claims in Edgewood’s second lawsuit against the city over the denial of their stadium lights application.
The formal dismissal can be found here:
and the judge’s full opinion can be found here:
District Judge William Conley states:
Plaintiff Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart, Inc. (“Edgewood”), claims that defendants City of Madison and affiliated entities (collectively “the City”) have violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (“RLUIPA”), the Free Exercise Clause and other federal and state constitutional provisions and statutes in denying a permit for outdoor lighting at its athletic fields because Edgewood is a religious institution. Defendants have moved for summary judgment on all claims, arguing that rather than being driven by any religious animus, the denial of a permit for field lights was wholly driven by the surrounding residential neighborhood association’s continued resistance to Edgewood holding loud and bright football games at night, lowering of property values and bothering immediate neighbors. More specifically, defendants argue that Edgewood is not exempt from zoning criteria or resistance from neighborhood associations simply because it is a religious school, especially where the evidence of record establishes that its religious mission played no discernable role in the City’s or neighborhood’s opposition to the field lighting permit. For the reasons given below, the court agrees and will grant summary judgment to defendants on all claims.
The Opinion (linked above) contains 28 pages of discussion of the facts and law leading to this decision.
No New Stadium appreciates the judge’s ruling, which acknowledges that the city rightfully followed zoning law in considering the impacts of this development on neighbors’ use and enjoyment of their properties. We support the neighborhood associations’ efforts to improve relationships with the Edgewood campus schools, based on respect and recognition of our shared rights and responsibilities.
Media Coverage:
Edgewood High School lawsuit dismissed against City of Madison in field lights battle (NBC15)
Federal lawsuit dismissed involving Edgewood High School lights and City of Madison (WKOW-27)
Judge dismisses Edgewood High School's stadium lights case (WISC-TV)