Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-08-23 Public Comment - L. Bergum - Zone Text Amendment for Fraternity and SororitiesFrom:Lisa Bergum To:Agenda Subject:Zone Text Amendment for Fraternity and Sororities Date:Sunday, January 8, 2023 10:30:19 AM Attachments:Greek Chapter House Addresses.pdf CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Dear Community Development Advisory Board & City Commission, We are the Housing Association Board of Alpha Gamma Delta, and own and managethe property located at 1206 South 6th Ave. We are contacting you regarding therequest to reinstate fraternity and sorority houses into the “Authorized Use in ZoningDistricts” table and only allow chapter houses to be permitted in R-O, R-5 andconditionally in R-3 zoning. For over 100 years, fraternities and sororities have been located throughout theuniversity neighborhood because of its proximity to Montana State University, as wellas numerous other housing options for college students, creating the eclecticenvironment that is attractive to its residents. So, it’s a little surprising to find out thata handful of new residents to the university neighborhood now want to ban what hasbeen the traditional location for fraternity and sorority chapter houses and restrict theirlocation within the city limits to very select zoned areas. Chapter houses for sororities and fraternities have always offered an affordable andguaranteed housing option for hundreds of college students annually. In addition,because of their proximity to campus, it allows students to walk or bike to class,reducing area traffic congestion and limited parking availability. Due to increasedenrollment at Montana State University the possibility to live on campus is very limitedafter students’ freshman year, forcing thousands to compete for affordable housing inan already highly competitive market. In addition, sorority and fraternity membersliving in chapter houses are guaranteed housing when they return to campus fallsemester, allowing them to return home during the summer without having to pay rentand utilities on an unoccupied rental, saving students thousands of dollars everyyear. To only permit chapter houses in R-O (Residential-Office District), and R-5 (Residential Mixed-Use High-Density District) typically used as commercial and retailspace creating a live-work environment, and Conditional use in R-3 (Residential Medium Density District) permitting one-to-five household residential structures near service facilities, is truly confusing and would force more students to commute to campus because of its limited or nonexistent availability near the University. While theuniversity neighborhood district may currently be zoned as R-2, it has multiple duplexes and small apartment buildings throughout which have been providing housing with similar occupancy numbers to those of many chapter houses. This action of a few residents to exclude fraternities and sororities from the “Group Living”classification is smacking of the worst type of “not-in-my-backyard” attitudes, directly going against the long-standing historic character of the neighborhood. Please refer to the attached list of fraternities and sororities and the addresses that have been used as chapter houses for the last 100+ years. While the University Neighborhood Association would like to paint a picture that fraternity and sorority houses are negligent to the safety and well-being of their members, guests, and neighbors, it is a false narrative. The Greek system is highly regulated and controlled by the University and their national organizations, as well as the City of Bozeman. Each University recognized fraternity and sorority is required to have their chapterhouse annually inspected by the Fire Marshall for safety, and sets capacity for living in, meetings and functions. In addition, each chapter house also has guidelines for safety and maintenance that are either set by their national organizations or by their chapter’s housing corporation. In addition, all sorority and fraternity social functions are highly regulated by theUniversity and their respective National Organization, well beyond just the City’s codecompliance and the State of Montana’s laws. Each chapter is required to notify theOffice of the Dean of Students prior to its intention to conduct a social event. Refer tolink: Fraternity & Sorority Function Guidelines They also have policies and guidelinesthat they are required to observe to stay in good standing with the University, which isrequired to be able to hold social functions. Please refer to these policies andguidelines: Forms & Documents - Fraternity and Sorority Life | Montana StateUniversity Whereas any residents (renters and/or owners) within the University neighborhoodmust only comply with common code compliance issues set by the City when havinga function. But every fraternity and sorority are required to submit forms to theirnational organizations when holding a function. This is just another layer ofcompliance that they are required to adhere to. The Greek system has historically played an important role to the university and thecommunity through leadership development, offering volunteer opportunities, and fundraising for both national and local non-profits. Limiting the ability of fraternities and sororities to organize chapter houses will reduce the availability of affordable student housing, limit students’ opportunities for personal growth and developmentthrough national organizations and will change the historic character of the University neighborhood. Sincerely, House Association Board of Directors of Alpha Gamma Delta Leann Koon, President Karen Town, Vice-PresidentHeidi Armstrong, Special Vice-President Whitney Bramblett, Secretary Danette Rasmussen, Treasurer Lisa Bergum, Member-At-LargeHeather Cleary, Member-At-Large Cherie Bowman-Lyons, Member-At-Large Wendy Roehm – Member-At-Large Vicki Cowan - Member-At-LargeSamantha Sandstrom, Big Sky Alumnae President Lauri Taylor, Big Sky Alumnae Treasurer Montana State Greek Chapter House Addresses: Some Of MSU fraternity and sorority chapters have existed for more than 100 years: AOPI – Founded in 1917 Sigma Chi – Founded in 1917 Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Founded in 1919 Chi Omega – Founded in 1919 Fraternities: • Phi Delta Theta - Campus • Farmhouse – 11 West College • Delta Sigma Phi – 1106 South 6th Ave • Phi Sigma Kappa – South Willson, 410 West Garfield and 1717 Greek Way • Sigma Phi Epsilon – South Willson, West Garfield • Alpha Gamma Rho - 418 West Garfield, 119 South Sixth and 1707 Greek Way • Sigma Nu - 11 West College, 1710 Greek Way, South 19th Ave • Kappa Sigma - 1120 South Sixth • Lambda Chi Alpha – 511 South Willson, 201 South Third and 1212 S 6th Ave • Pi Kappa Alpha – 502 South Grand and 1321 South 5th • Sigma Alpha Epsilon – 811 South Willson, 810 South Seventh Ave and 1705 South Willson • Alpha Sigma Phi – 411 West Garfield • Sigma Chi – 722 South Willson Ave • Amigo Club (Local fraternity petitioned to be Alpha Tau Omega. Founded 1923) • Omega Beta (local fraternity Founded 1915) South Grand • Beta Epsilon (local fraternity, Founded 1919) 501 South Grand • Lambda Phi (local fraternity, Founded 1924) • Theta Nu – (local fraternity, Founded 1922) Sororities: • Kappa Delta - 503 West Cleveland and 1707 Greek Way • Kappa Alpha Theta – West Garfield St • Alpha Omicron Pi - 1119 South 5th Ave • Chi Omega – 405 Cleveland, MSU Quads and 405 West Garfield St. • Delta Gamma - MSU Quads and 418 W. Garfield Street • Alpha Gamma Delta – 408 West Main Street, 320 South Willson, MSU Quads and 1206 South 6th Ave • Pi Beta Phi – 712 South Willson Ave, MSU Quads, 1304 South 5th Ave • Ceres – 711 South 7th Ave • Sigma Alpha – looking for chapter house • Delta Zeta - Local sorority- 408 West Main Street • Iota Delta - Local sorority - 8th Ave Additional Group Housing Over the past 100 years: • Women’s Co-op – 204 South Third • Men’s Co-Op - 712 South Willson Ave • Chi Alpha - 1212 S 6th Ave • Bowman House – 1710 Greek Way • Christus Collegium – 714 South 8th Ave Addresses sourced from Montana State yearbooks and alumnae knowledge of the Greek system.