[Vision2020] Which is NSA: A taxable business or a tax exempteducational institution?

[Saundra Lund]

I think Donovan is confusing issues here.

Rose Huskey & I challenged NSA's *property tax* exemption, which is
completely unrelated to Moscow's zoning requirements.  Our position was --
and remains -- that NSA doesn't meet the statutory requirements of Idaho
Code § 63.602E.
http://www3.state.id.us/cgi-bin/newidst?sctid=630060002E.K

If I understand correctly, Moscow City Zoning Code prohibits ***educational
institutions,*** which the legal eagles think is the definition that best
fits NSA, from being located in the CBD.  Neither property tax status
specifically nor tax exempt status in general have anything at all to do
with the City's definition of an educational institution:
"47. Institution, Educational. A college or university supported by public
or private funds, tuitions, contributions or endowments, giving advanced
academic instructions as approved by the State Board of Education or by a
recognized accrediting agency, excluding preschool, elementary and junior or
senior high schools, and trade and commercial schools; including fraternity
and sorority houses."
http://www.ci.moscow.id.us/citycode/TITLE04/chapter11.pdf



HTH,
Saundra Lund
Moscow, ID

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do
nothing.
Edmund Burke

***** Original material contained herein is Copyright 2005, Saundra Lund.
Do not copy, forward, excerpt, or reproduce outside the Vision 2020 forum
without the express written permission of the author.*****


-----Original Message-----
From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com]
On Behalf Of Donovan Arnold
Sent: Sunday, 26 June 2005 4:17 AM
To: vision2020 at moscow.com
Subject: [Vision2020] Which is NSA: A taxable business or a tax
exempteducational institution?

I am hoping Rose Huskey and Saundra Lund can clarify their position on the
zoning law complaint against Christ Church being downtown and their property
tax complaint against Christ Church downtown.


One the one hand, CCers have a complaint against them for operating a tax
exempt educational institution downtown because tax exempt educational
institutions are not permitted downtown. But on the other hand, they have
another complaint against them arguing they are avoiding paying property
taxes as a for profit business which is allowed downtown. 

Which is it? Is Christ Church a for profit downtown business avoiding taxes
or are they an illegally zoned not-for-profit tax exempt educational
institution?  

I hope those seeking to “not force Christ Church out of town but to answer
questions” will explain the irony of these complaints which obviously have
conflicting premises for their arguments.

Donovan J Arnold