HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-05-23 Public Comment - A. Stewart - Zoning CDBFrom:Aimee Stewart
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Letter of Public Comment
Date:Tuesday, October 3, 2023 9:32:17 PM
Attachments:CDB-AMS-10-3-23.pdf
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The attached letter is intended for the Community Development Board meeting ofOctober 10, 2023.
October 3, 2023
Dear Community Development Board,
Zoning really matters; it affects the quality of people’s lives.
An essentfal functfon of zoning is to build community by fostering compatfbility among neighbors.
Allowing a fraternity to shoehorn into a single-family house in a low-density residentfal neighborhood
injures both neighbors and the Greek chapter house. Last year when this unfortunate experiment was
tried in R-2, nearby neighbors in both R-1 and R-2 endured noise, profanity, unsafe crowds, numerous
parking violatfons, and police involvement. The fraternity brothers suffered the heartbreak of failing to
thrive in a locatfon in which they had invested hope. Although the frat chapter house accommodated
only 4-6 residents (out of 50 members), it regularly hosted gatherings of 50-100 people. The City failed
all partfes.
For the sake of neighborhood livability and the success of young Greek life, fraternitfes should not be
permitted to establish a chapter house/party venue/event center in a too-small house. It is the
responsibility of the City to create sensible zoning uses and definitfons.
Please advise the City Commission to seriously consider the distfnct needs and realitfes of Greek chapter
houses as well as those of their neighbors. I ask the Board to recommend that in the proposed UDC
fraternity and sorority chapter houses be listed as a separate use and be allowed in the proposed R-B
and denser zoning districts and not in the proposed R-A district.
Respectiully,
Aimee Morel-Seytoux