Ohio city gets OK to block Christian school

UPPER ARLINGTON, Ohio (AP) — A federal judge has ruled that a central Ohio suburb didn’t discriminate in blocking a Christian school that is trying to move to a large office complex in the city.

U.S. District Judge George C. Smith concluded the ordinance that allows exclusive zoning in certain areas of the Columbus suburb of Upper Arlington does not treat religious schools differently from other schools.

The Columbus Dispatch reports that Tree of Life Christian Schools has been trying since 2009 to consolidate its schools in an office complex in Upper Arlington.

City officials turned down the request, and Tree of Life sued in federal court. The area is zoned to beef up the city’s tax base, and schools are not a permitted use.

The school plans to appeal.