The 12-year legal battle between MorningStar Fellowship Church and York County over the unfinished 21-story Heritage Tower in Fort Mill, South Carolina, has come to an end. Finalized on October 9, 2024, the agreement specifies precise dates for the church to either renovate or demolish the building.
Details of the Settlement:
- Building Permit Application: MorningStar is required to apply for a building permit within 18 months, demonstrating that the Heritage Tower can meet current building codes.
- Demolition Timeline: If the church fails to secure the necessary permits within the stipulated period, it must demolish the tower within the following nine months.
- County Intervention: Should MorningStar not comply with these terms, York County is authorized to demolish the tower at the church s expense.
Jim Bakker’s Heritage USA, a Christian theme park that ran from 1978 until its demise in 1989 due to financial and legal issues, including the Heritage Tower at first. In 2004, MorningStar purchased the land with plans to finish the tower. However, the church and the county engaged in protracted litigation as a result of conflicts over development plans.
Due to disagreements over the tower’s repair plans, MorningStar sued York County in 2012. In a later 2018 complaint, the church claimed religious discrimination. Both parties had reached an agreement to drop the continuing lawsuits by 2020, but when MorningStar revealed plans for renovations in 2021, new issues surfaced, and the county filed a new lawsuit.
By resolving these long-standing issues, the new settlement offers a clear framework for the Heritage Tower’s future. Allison Love, co-chair of the York County Council, and Rick Joyner, president of MorningStar, signed the deal.
Determining the future of the Heritage Tower, a building that has been unfinished for decades, is made easier with this resolve. The resolution addresses the concerns of the local community and the church by providing a clear schedule for action, guaranteeing that the structure would either be demolished or restored up to code.
Go here to read the settlement.
Settlement.pdf https://tegacaysun.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11
Note: Thank you for visiting our website! We strive to keep you informed with the latest updates based on expected timelines, although please note that we are not affiliated with any official bodies. Our team is committed to ensuring accuracy and transparency in our reporting, verifying all information before publication. We aim to bring you reliable news, and if you have any questions or concerns about our content, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!