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Second Reading, Ordinance No. 04-09 and Resolution 09-54 page 2 amending the ordinance. The application does not include review of a church plan or of the conversion of a building into a church. A future application for a conditional use permit for a church on the site will be required. Approval of the currently requested ordinance amendment does not approve or imply approval of any future application that might be submitted. ANALYSIS Similar Uses in Zoning District A zoning district should allow similar uses that will not create land use conflicts. If a zoning district allow a use that is similar to a new one, it make sense to include the new one in that district. The similarities referred to are the general type of activity, as well as factors such as the traffic generation, parking, need for and impact on the city's utilities systems (water, sanitary sewer, and stormwater management), and potential impacts on other properties. In considering churches, it's useful to describe the general activities and impacts that coincide with churches. Generally, a church is a place of assembly where people congregate for various purposes. The group can be large or small and might participate in religious worship, weddings, pancake breakfasts, dinners, and other social activities. Churches generate traffic and need vehicle parking space. If available, it's best that churches connect to municipal water to accommodate a fire suppression system for the building as well as water needs for groups of people. Wastewater treatment also is needed. Both the LB and GB districts currently allow private lodges and clubs as conditional uses. This would include a VFW or American Legion. The activities that occur at such lodges and clubs and the potential impacts on their surroundings are very similar to those of churches. Large or small groups of people assemble for various purposes social events, meals, etc. They need parking, they generate traffic, they need water and wastewater treatment. The city's responsibility is to protect public health, safety, and welfare by anticipating and addressing the potential effects on the surroundings and the community as a whole. This is a legitimate public purpose in regulating land uses with a zoning ordinance. The exact nature or purpose for which people assemble within a building is not the concern, as long as it's a legal activity. Differences between the institutions purposes, beliefs, or activities aren't relevant. Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 The "similarity of uses" concept is important in understanding the federal law that prohibits discrimination against churches. The Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000, known by the acronym RLUIPA, requires a city to treat religious uses such as churches the same as the city treats other similar uses. In the years since its enactment, a number of court cases have been decided under RLUIPA which provide guidance for compliance with the law. As discussed above, lodges and clubs are similar to churches in their activities and potential