HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-27-25 Public Comment - L. Semones - Define Fraternities and SororitiesFrom:Linda Semones
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Define Fraternities and Sororities
Date:Tuesday, August 26, 2025 1:52:33 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 theUniversity 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-Bzoning 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 andmaintained 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 ofhigher 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 allowconsumption 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 beneeded and may at times be exceeded.
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Thank you,