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Oregon weddings dispute expands to church services

The Columbian
Published: March 29, 2014, 5:00pm

SISTERS, Ore. — A Central Oregon man who has run afoul of the local government because he holds commercial weddings on land zoned for farm use has now been warned about church services on the property.

John Shepherd, 56, a pastor, said he hosts small, nondenominational services in his home on the Sisters-area property, with about 12 regular attendees.

A recent letter from Deschutes County’s Community Development Department informed him of “an alleged violation of the County Code associated with your property; specifically, that a church has located at the property without required land use approval.”

Shepherd said the notice is probably a violation of his First Amendment rights.

The Community Development Department said the county is just trying to follow state safety guidelines.

Nick Lelack, the department director, said the county wouldn’t move forward with a violation until planners inspect the property.

Shepherd, meanwhile, has had a multiyear dispute with the county because he hosts commercial weddings on the property.

Deschutes County Commissioners voted to hold off on any fines against Shepherd last summer, when he hosted a full slate of weddings. Shepherd declined to say how many have been scheduled for 2014.

At least one commissioner, Tony DeBone, said he wants to the visit the property. DeBone said the church issue is about building safety, not religious freedom, and he hopes the sides can reach an agreement on the church and wedding issues.

“I support private property rights and a citizen utilizing those rights,” he said.

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