Federal court judge Joanna Seybert issued a preliminary injunction on Sept. 6 in favor of the Chabad of the Beaches in Long Beach halting Atlantic Beach village’s eminent domain claim.

The Chabad bought one of two properties on Park Street last November for $950,000. The other Park Street property is owned by M.A. Salazar Inc., a real estate company. The Long Beach Chabad proposed building a community center on the sites.

That action set off the legal wrangling that ended up in federal court. Jeremy Dys, who is representing the Chabad, said that ruling means that in all likelihood the Chabad’s lawsuit will succeed. He said the village could appeal or withdraw the eminent domain claim.

“We hope this decision today encourages the Village of Atlantic Beach to welcome Chabad of the Beaches to its community, rather than spending even more taxpayer dollars to keep them out,” Dys said in a prepared statement.

“We respect the court’s decision at this preliminary stage of litigation to maintain the status quo regarding ownership of the old bank building recently purchased by Chabad Lubavitch of the Beaches,” Atlantic Beach Mayor George Pappas said in a prepared statement. “Therefore, our efforts to acquire the property remains stayed pending our motion to dismiss and, if necessary, a full trial on the merits which we are confident will show no bias whatsoever against any member of our community. Our goal remains what is has always been, namely, to create a badly needed community for all village residents.”

VIA LIHerald