New Saint Andrews College sues Moscow over zoning

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  New Saint Andrews College filed a lawsuit against Moscow on September 15, 2026No usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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  New Saint Andrews College alleges religious discrimination in zoning decisions“New Saint Andrews College has filed a lawsuit against the city of Moscow for alleged religious discrimination. The classical Christian college that is associated with Christ Church and located in downtown Moscow claims the city has used zoning and land-use restrictions against the college that “substantially burden its exercise of religion, has treated NSA in a discriminatory manner due to its religious affiliation, and has treated NSA worse than it treats other secular assemblies and institutions,” the complaint says.”
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  The complaint states the city's 2019 ordinance prohibiting college expansions in downtown violates the college's religious exercise“The complaint says. In a statement, Moscow said it was not informed of the complaint until it received a request for comment from a media organization. The city had not formally received the complaint as of Tuesday morning, but was able to obtain a copy from the U.S. District Court online portal. A major focus of the complaint is about the city’s decision to prohibit NSA administrative offices on the second floor of the college’s art gallery, The Pierian, located on 414 S. Main St. That building is located across the street from NSA’s south campus building. In September 2024, the Moscow City Council reversed a Moscow Board of Adjustment decision to allow these administrative offices in The Pierian. The council determined the offices would violate an ordinance passed in 2019 that prohibits colleges and universities from expanding in the central business zoning district.”
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  The dispute centers on a 2024 City Council decision to deny administrative offices in The Pierian art gallery“In a statement, Moscow said it was not informed of the complaint until it received a request for comment from a media organization. The city had not formally received the complaint as of Tuesday morning, but was able to obtain a copy from the U.S. District Court online portal. A major focus of the complaint is about the city’s decision to prohibit NSA administrative offices on the second floor of the college’s art gallery, The Pierian, located on 414 S. Main St. That building is located across the street from NSA’s south campus building. In September 2024, the Moscow City Council reversed a Moscow Board of Adjustment decision to allow these administrative offices in The Pierian. The council determined the offices would violate an ordinance passed in 2019 that prohibits colleges and universities from expanding in the central business zoning district.”
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  The college says the denial of administrative offices would allow religious activitiesNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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  Moscow officials said they learned of the lawsuit only after media inquiries“Moscow said it was not informed of the complaint until it received a request for comment from a media organization.”
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  Moscow officials hadn't formally received the complaint by Tuesday morning“The city had not formally received the complaint as of Tuesday morning, but was able to obtain a copy from the U.S. District Court online portal.”
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  City staff previously determined the art gallery itself doesn't violate zoning“City staff determined that an art gallery does not violate this ordinance, but administrative offices do represen”
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  City staff previously determined administrative offices do violate zoning“City staff determined that an art gallery does not violate this ordinance, but administrative offices do represen”
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  The case is now pending in U. S. District CourtNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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  The Pierian building is at 414 S. Main St.“The Pierian, located on 414 S. Main St.”
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  The Pierian building is across from NSA's south campus“That building is located across the street from NSA’s south campus building.”