After being required to revisit the matter by a federal district court judge in December, thePrince George's CountyCouncil granted a previously denied request by Reaching Hearts International for sewer and water services on its West Laurel property, where the church wants to build new facilities and a school.

The 7-to-1 vote came down during the council meeting Tuesday, Jan. 24, a county spokeswoman said, with only council member Mary Lehman voting against the request. Lehman, who lives in West Laurel, has been an outspoken critic of the church's desire to develop the property.

The council's decision marks the latest development in the case, which has been going on for more than eight years and has led more than once to the council being reprimanded by the courts, in part for coming to what one court referred to as religiously discriminatory decisions regarding the church property.

The county's legal battle with the church has cost the county more than $4.5 million in damages, legal fees and other expenses and costs, according to court documents.

Regarding the council's decision on Tuesday, Michael Oxentenko, the church's pastor, said he plans on "moving forward in the spirit of good will" and is "grateful to God and grateful to the County Council."

He added: "We don't have any sense of animus at all. There's no bitterness."

He also said it's too early to know how fast the church's plans for expansion will move forward at the property.