[Vision2020] NSA/Verizon/Zoning Trouble Timeline (was: Who startedit? Who cares?)

[Joan Opyr]

On 17 Dec 2005, at 11:19, Bruce and Jean Livingston wrote:

> I think that a subsequent post from Rose Huskey corrects, though not 
> explicitly, the mistake in paragraph 3 below of Joan's recitation.  I 
> believe that the City did give NSA an occupancy permit for the 
> Skattaboe bldg.  What NSA failed to obtain was a "zoning certificate," 
> which is also required.  That certificate has still never been issued 
> (and can't be, unless the zoning code is changed, because NSA has been 
> found to be an illegal use under current code).
>  
> The files available for review in City Hall plainly show that when NSA 
> was being told about its various zoning violations in Fort Russell and 
> that they had to leave Fort Russell (where they were operating 
> illegally), that the City explained the requirement of the Zoning 
> Certificate.  Nevertheless, NSA did not apply for a zoning certificate 
> when it moved downtown.
>  
> Bruce Livingston

Thanks to Bruce and Rose for the corrections.  As I said in my original 
post, it's hard to keep track of what happened when; I was just 
reciting from memory.  Also, I know that NSA has some certificate, but 
I still don't know if it's a zoning certificate or an occupancy permit. 
  Whatever it is, it does not mitigate the illegality of their current 
situtation.

The easy (and most relevant) part of the whole affair is this: as an 
educational institution, NSA is not permitted in the Central Business 
District.  This does not mean that Doug Wilson must sell his building, 
close his college, or file for bankruptcy.  What he must do (unless 
City Council grants him a special exemption from zoning regulations and 
thus plays merry hell with the Comprehensive Plan) is move the college 
to some suitable location.  Mr. Wilson can then find some legal use for 
the Skattaboe Building -- as I've suggested before, a church is a 
perfectly legal use.  If Doug wants a downtown cathedral, here's his 
chance.  Even if his sermons should happen to get long-winded, no one's 
going to care if his parishioners clog the Jackson Street parking lot 
on a Sunday morning.  Doug could safely rabbit on about the Christian 
slave-holding, the beauty of submission, and the "odor" of the 
Christian home (no kidding: http://www.credenda.org) for hours on end 
without any fear of having his pickup truck clamped.

FYI, I missed one other point in my off-the-cuff timeline: after New 
St. Andrews vacated Chris Schlect's home on Polk Street, it was housed 
in Anselm House, the Christ Church business office on Washington 
Street.  Again, Anselm House was not, zoning-wise, a legal site for 
NSA.  So, the college began in an illegal site, moved to a second 
illegal site, and then a third.  By my count, that's three zoning 
strikes against New St. Andrews -- umpire says "You're out!"

Let's see what City Council says.

Joan Opyr/Auntie Establishment
www.joanopyr.com

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