Genoa Board Approves Livingston Christian Schools at Brighton Church of the Nazarene After Legal Battle

The Genoa Township Board has approved a special use permit for Livingston Christian Schools, ending a prolonged legal and political battle that spanned nearly three years. The decision allows the school to relocate to the Brighton Church of the Nazarene, located at 7669 Brighton Road, across from Brighton High School.

The approval marks the conclusion of one of the most contentious disputes in recent Livingston County history. Livingston Christian Schools first sought a special use permit in 2015, but the Township Board voted 4-3 to deny the request. Supervisor Gary McCririe and trustees Linda Rowell, Todd Smith, and Jean Ledford opposed the move, citing traffic concerns and past non-compliance. Many observers, however, viewed the opposition as politically motivated.

The board’s decision had ripple effects beyond Livingston Christian. Light of the World Academy, a charter school in Pinckney, was seeking to move into Livingston Christian’s former downtown Pinckney location. Without Livingston Christian vacating the space, Light of the World Academy could not proceed with its relocation. Parents, teachers, and administrators from both schools attended a packed board meeting in August 2015, delivering emotional pleas for approval. Despite the outpouring of support, the four opposing trustees remained steadfast in their position.

Trustee Todd Smith faced particular criticism for his behavior during the meeting. He used his iPad throughout the session, never making eye contact with those who pleaded for the schools’ relocation. This conduct drew significant backlash from the community. In the interim, Livingston Christian operated from a temporary location in the Whitmore Lake School District for the past three school years, enabling Light of the World Academy to secure its new site in Pinckney.

Livingston Christian filed a federal lawsuit, alleging violations of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA). A federal judge in Detroit ruled in favor of Genoa Township, and the Court of Appeals upheld that decision. However, Genoa’s motion to have Livingston Christian cover its legal expenses was denied. The legal battle has cost the township over $100,000.

Voters in Genoa Township expressed frustration with the board’s actions, leading to the ousting of both Todd Smith and Linda Rowell in the 2016 Republican primary. The resolution of this dispute now paves the way for Livingston Christian to relocate, bringing an end to a chapter marked by legal challenges and community tension.

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