[Vision2020] NSA/Verizon/Zoning Trouble Timeline (was: Who started it? Wh...

[DonaldH675 at aol.com]

Visionaries and B. Bonte:
 
Joan has asked me to correct any historical errors in her description of  the 
NSA locations.  Initially NSA met in a private home in the Fort Russell  
neighborhood.  Neighboring homeowners complained to city officials because  of 
parking problems (sound familiar??), increased traffic, and other nuisances  
connected with running an educational institution in a residential  neighborhood.  
(NSA administrators - the same crew that currently runs NSA  did not bothered 
to consult city officials before opening the school.  The  city development 
office has a complete file on the communications between NSA  and city 
officials.  The material is on the public record and I would  encourage readers to 
stop by the city and request the file.   NSA  was told to cease operating in the 
residential area - which they did, but not  without the same whining and hand 
wringing that is now so  unhappily familiar.
 
Most of us, after being bopped on the noggin by the shillelagh  of zoning 
laws, would learn from the experience - at least we would if we  gave a damn 
about city ordinances.  The NSA administrators do not.   They promptly moved the 
college from the Fort Russell neighborhood to  Anselm House, the church owned 
office building on Washington St - kitty-corner  from the new location of the 
Co op .  Again, they did not notify the  city, they did not ask if educational 
institutions were allowed in the central  business district.  They did what 
suited them, and this time they got  away with it.  
 
In 2002 the Trustees of NSA completed the purchase of the old Verizon  
building.  They didn't obtain (and still don't have) the  required  zoning 
certificate. It seems elementary that prior to buying the  building their very 
experienced realtor would have checked on that  tiny, but oh so powerful detail.  Why 
didn't she?  A reasonable  person would assume that  a competent city 
development officer would  require a zoning certificate prior to allowing occupancy.  
So why  didn't Mr. Plaskon do so?
 
So many questions, so few answers.....
 
   
 
Rose Huskey

"First  they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then 
you win."  Mahatma Gandhi
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