Moscow City Council reverses NSA decision

The Moscow City Council on Tuesday unanimously reversed a decision that would have allowed New Saint Andrews College to move its administrative offices into a separate downtown building.

The council chambers quickly became standing room only as a large crowd filed into City Hall to watch the council’s decision.

The issue at hand addressed whether NSA can move administrative offices into the 414 S. Main Street building that used to house the Moscow Contemporary art gallery. NSA is currently using that space for an art gallery of its own called The Pierian.

The college wants to establish its administrative offices on the second floor of that space. However, NSA’s operations are limited by a Moscow ordinance passed in 2019, which prohibits colleges and universities from expanding in the central business zoning district. NSA’s main campus is located at 405 S. Main Street, across the street from the gallery.

Building owner Brenda von Wandruszka and NSA President Benjamin Merkle appealed the city’s determination that administrative offices would not be permissible under the Moscow ordinance.

The Moscow Board of Adjustment held a meeting June 11 to discuss the issue, and heard arguments from von Wandruszka and NSA President Benjamin Merkle.

The Board of Adjustment struggled to determine whether the use of these offices violates the intent of the 2019 ordinance, and ultimately sided with NSA.

The city filed an appeal of the Board of Adjustment’s decision June 27.

On Tuesday, city councilors stated that the Board of Adjustment’s decision was rushed, arbitrary and not supported by substantial evidence.

Councilor Bryce Blankenship said that based on comments made during the June 11 meeting, the board “came to a consensus that, ultimately, kicking it back to us would just get it off their plate.”

He argued this made the board’s decision arbitrary and he read a comment made by Jerry Schutz during the June 11 meeting to back up his point.

“And personally, I can say that I’m not sure it’s the right decision. But I can’t see us

getting out of this … any other way,” Schutz said, according to the meeting transcript.

Kelly added that it seemed the board was not ready to make a decision.

Blankenship and Councilor Gina Taruscio also stated they felt the administrative offices do represent an expansion of the college and thus violate city code.

Tuesday’s discussion was not a public hearing so there were no comments from the public in attendance.

City staff and the Moscow Board of Adjustment agreed in June that NSA’s art gallery does not violate the Moscow ordinance because it is not integral to the college and will not be used by students to earn course credits.

Kuipers can be reached at akuipers@dnews.com.