City of Southfield files suit to stop oil drilling on church property

SOUTHFIELD (AP) - A Detroit suburb is seeking to stop a northern Michigan company from drilling an oil well on property owned by a megachurch.

A judge signed a temporary restraining order last Friday prohibiting Jordan Development from starting any work at Word of Faith International Christian Center in Southfield.

The city filed a lawsuit last Friday against the company which was granted a permit to drill by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.

The city says the restraining order is in effect until a March 16 hearing in Oakland County Circuit Court. The city says it will seek a preliminary injunction to stop the drilling.

Southfield has a moratorium in place that prohibits oil drilling and mining through April 28.

The Associated Press left messages last Friday seeking comment from Jordan Development and the church.

Published: Tue, Mar 15, 2016