The city says: Move on out!
The denial of the proposed amendment to Ordinance 0-0609-205 means numerous GCSU students will be left homeless come the beginning of November.
The amendment would have modified “the Land Development Code to allow group residence as a special use within SFR and SFR1 districts within the historic district.” SFR and SFR1 districts imply the area around GCSU campus; therefore, students could have had the chance to continue living in houses if they complied with strict regulations.
However, now with the original ordinance, Ordinance 0-0609-205, being enforced everyone living in “single-family” housing in historic downtown, or other designated neighborhoods, with three or more unrelated residents will be breaking the law.
One of the passionate students who spoke to the Mayor Council in favor of the amendment was Suzy Spiccia, a GCSU student whose home is directly affected by the implementation of this ordinance.
“I am a huge activist of Milledgeville,” said Spiccia, “but when you start taking away the community, which is clearly founded in the homes, you take away the reputation of the community that affects Milledgeville as a whole.”
Robert Binion, owner of the affected ZTA house on McIntosh Street, stood again to back the amendment, as he has been doing for the past two years. This time reinforcement arrived as the Local Housing President for ZETA, Jenny Webster, rose to defend “her girls’” home.
“Our house is a beautiful house, a historic house, but it is so much more than that – it is our home,” said Webster. “This vote (in relation to the amendment) is personal for us. What Mayor Council is voting on tonight is a good compromise. Is it perfect for everyone? No. Does it present a workable option? Yes.”
For over an hour multiple students and independent realtors rose to defend the amendment. Sorority members, a resident in the home that accommodates House Church on Mondays, an international student requesting diverse consideration, and many other attendees of GCSU, spoke out. SGA members, such as Freshman Senator Evan Karanovich, also prepared statements pointing out specific issues that would arise from the ordinance.
“The proximity of Georgia College’s main academic quad is within walking distance of many of these homes,” said Karanovich. “Those displaced in Baldwin County will have no other option but to commute to campus and find no parking spots available for them.”
SGA Freshman Senate representative, Andrew Whittaker, followed up Karanovich later on and made a vital point when he shared a cohesive opinion of many others.
“The students who violate the noise ordinance and the people who vandalize our city offend us just as badly as they offend you,” Whittaker said.
After hearing the arguments for the amendment, other community members ascended to speak against the amendment. In the end, those in favor of the original ordinance left satisfied.
John Alton, a Milledgeville resident living on Liberty Street and consistent voice against the amendment, is proud of Mayor Council’s final decision.
“I am very proud of the Milledgeville City Council for its action. It takes a lot of courage to do the right thing,” said Alton. “I think they were looking forward and made a decision that will benefit the entire Milledgeville community for years to come.”
With the onset of the ordinance, community members hope for less vandalism, more welcoming living conditions for young families, and continued preservation of the historic homes.
“I think this should be the first step in the formation of a comprehensive city growth plan that will accommodate the business community, the residents and the learning institutions,” said Alton. “Protection of the valuable historic assets of the city was a step that had to be taken and our City Council took that step.”
Likewise, Richard Sims, a newer resident in Milledgeville, is content with the decision. He believes this will protect the integrity of his new home and its location.
“These homes on the National Historic Register are a treasure not only to the university and local community, but to the state and country,” said Sims. “These homes should be preserved. Informally, it looks to me like there are more students than homeowners living in the historic district, and I expect this district to continue housing a large number of students in a fashion that is legal and conforming to existing zoning.”
Whether or not students agree with the final decision, it has been made. Mervin Graham, Zoning Administrator of Milledgeville, will begin enforcing this ordinance in November.
“The purpose of zoning is to tell you what to do with your property, whether you like it or not,” said Sims.
All students living in homes with “three-or-more-unrelated-persons” should begin preparing for November. The penalties for breaking this law can include a fine reaching up to $1,000 for the renter or individual inhabitant per night. The person/s convicted of the crime could even be assigned an imprisonment term or public service by local officials.
SGA members are maintaining a positive attitude about the denial. Karanovich hopes this will not create an increasingly distinct tension between students and the community.
“I see the failure of the (amendment) not as a discouraging failure, but as a trigger for something greater,” said Karanovich. “This should give us the passion to make a positive change, not to be running through the streets angry. Rather, let’s show everybody that this really is our home. We are stuck with the decision now, so we need to come together, do what’s right, and prove them wrong.”
One of the initiatives SGA’s City Relations plans to begin is the “Downtown Service Project.” This will put student volunteers downtown on Thursday night to clean up and influence positive decisions.
Yet, questions still remain. Where will all the students go who no longer have a home – especially if they cannot afford an apartment? What about the contracts signed for them to keep paying their housing lease?
As the questions linger, and many students grow increasingly disappointed with the decision of the council, November threatens the sanity of many students’ future.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Oct 31 2008. Filed under News.
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