HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-19-25 Public Comment - J. Davenport - Define Fraternities and SororitiesFrom:Jill Davenport
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Define Fraternities and Sororities
Date:Saturday, August 16, 2025 5:32:48 PM
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Honorable Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Commissioners, and Community Development Department,
Please adopt the definition for Fraternities and Sororities put forth by members of the University Neighborhood
Association who have worked so hard over the years to address the conflicts we've seen arise from deregulating this
use.
Please remember that the suggestion to disallow Greek Houses in the new R-A and R-B zoning districts applies only
to NEW and RELOCATING Greek Houses. Existing houses will be grandfathered in as legally compliant.
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Definition:
Fraternity and/or Sorority chapter house: a dwelling for group living occupied by and maintained exclusively for
members of the chapter, their guests or visitors, and affiliated with and acknowledged as a fraternity or sorority
chapter house by any recognized institution of higher learning or national fraternal or sorority authority.
1. A chapter house regularly hosts on-site activities including chapter meetings; events and parties which include
Amusement & Recreation and Arts & Entertainment; and may allow consumption of alcohol on premises (for which
members and guests may have to pay).
2. The chapter house must have a meeting hall with the capacity to safely (per Bozeman City Code Chapter 18 and
subsections) accommodate 90% or more of their active members. Because members are typically required to attend
chapter meetings, and parties or events typically include members plus multiple guests, this Meeting hall capacity
will frequently be needed and may at times be exceeded.
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Thank you,
Jill Davenport