Editorial: Zoning transgression should be forgiven

Thursday, March 13, 2003 | 8:46 a.m.

Hassell Avenue is a residential street in Las Vegas just west of the intersection of Martin Luther King and Lake Mead boulevards. Hart Avenue is also a residential street, only just east of the intersection. Since the late 1980s, these two avenues have had something in common besides being quiet neighborhoods. Four houses interspersed among the others have been serving as temporary lodging for homeless people. The houses belong to the God in Me ministry that has operated without much notice -- until now.

With the economy down and homelessness up, the ministry is now serving the needs of between 60 and 70 men, whereas in the past the number had been closer to 20. With such an increase, neighbors predictably complained to City Hall. Forced into action by the complaints, city officials discovered the ministry had never been granted a zoning variance to operate within a residential area. We're pleased that the city stepped back from its initial reaction, which was to order the ministry to shut down.

With no fanfare, no government subsidies and no disruptive incidents, the ministry has helped hundreds of people get back on their feet. It's been a credit to Las Vegas and it's only right that the city help the ministry obtain a proper variance or perhaps a new location. Mayor Oscar Goodman and a group of city officials met Tuesday with Anthony Mosley, who has headed the ministry for three years. The tone was positive, with Goodman repeatedly saying that he wants the city to help God in Me. This is the correct approach toward a group that offers help and hope to about 600 men a year. The neighbors have a point, but the ministry has a cause -- one that should be welcomed in a city where the homeless are generally under served.