[Vision2020] Daily News Jun 30 Editorial

[Kit Craine]

This is in response to the June 30, 2005 editorial in the Daily News 
which suggests the Moscow City Council should immediately revise the 
Zoning Code to accommodate New Saint Andrews College in the Central 
Business District so the college won't take the City to Court.

My question is: why should the City rewrite the code in order to stop 
them? Much less, rush it through in the middle of the summer?

The City Council has determined that the use of the NSA building is a 
violation of the Zoning Code. Under the same code (Title 4, Chapter 
11), it is illegal to use or occupy or to permit the use or occupancy 
of premises which are not in compliance with the code; any person or 
corporation who permits the use is committing a misdemeanor (a criminal 
act); the City has a mandatory duty to enforce these laws. Although the 
Council may regret the situation, under State code it is not liability 
for mistakes made when issuing permits.

Given all that, why should the city turn its back on the law to 
accommodate something that is illegal?

If New Saint Andrews wants to use their financial resources disputing 
the Council's decision in District Court, that is their choice. But 
under its own code, the City has no option. It must enforce the law.

Kit Craine