A zoning dispute over homelessness services offered by a Sarasota County church could become a test of how far federal religious freedom protections extend.
The Remnant Cafe, operated by the Remnant Church, resumed full operations last week — providing showers, laundry, clothing and meals — after scaling back services for nearly a month in response to a county violation notice saying the property is not zoned to operate a social service facility.
Church leaders have told the county they won’t comply with a December deadline to stop offering services. Instead, they plan to challenge the county’s interpretation of zoning laws in court, arguing the restrictions infringe on their First Amendment right to freedom of religion…