City hears group housing petition
A second ordinance, passed shortly after the first, allows people to apply for group housing with more than three residents. In order to gain permission to have more than three unrelated residents, applying groups must prove that they have enough parking for all house residents and undergo a detailed fire inspection.
The ordinance applies to houses in districts SFR and SFR1, the areas of the historic district nearest to campus. The Delta Zeta house’s plea continues on the road to group housing status, despite being located in district SFR1, with the passing of the recent movement.
With the Council’s approval, their application will move on to a Planning and Zoning Commission review, and then will return to the city council for final approval. Director of city and zoning, Mervin Graham, stated that she needs a fire department and parking inspection in order to process a group-housing applicant.
Students, unhappy with the original restrictions, can remain hopeful that with the success of the Delta Zeta house, the process to earn group housing status will only grow easier. With students constantly moving in and out of houses, the original restriction outlawed more than three unrelated residents from living in a house.
“If this were strictly enforced, students would be kicked out of their homes,” Joel Graham, SGA Senator, said. “What actually happened and what we were assured by the city, is that students would not be prosecuted (under that ordinance) if they were not a problem.”
Council members at the recent meeting seemed completely at ease with the idea of another sorority house moving into downtown Milledgeville.
“I don’t have a problem with (group housing),” said Ken Vance, council member. “As long as they keep the integrity of the houses for historic purposes.”
Despite the City Council’s approval of the Delta Zeta house application, students are still concerned with the restrictions placed on prospective home renters.
“I think the ordinance is impractical,” junior Kaytie-Robyn Bird said. “We are college kids in a college town. Why should we be limited to how many people we can live with?”
With students being angered over the housing ordinance, SGA stepped in quickly to find a solution.
“When (SGA) found out that this amendment (on the original housing bill) was in the works, we showed that students supported this and we supported it as a student organization,” Graham said. “The City Relations Committee hoped they would pass it, and they did.”
Though the amendment makes group housing in historic homes possible, some feel that the paperwork and application process might be too rigorous for non-Greek groups who only intend to live there during the school year.
“I figure (the city) should make exceptions for students,” junior Evan Boitet said. “Having four people in a house shouldn’t make living more difficult (for students).”
Bird remains hopeful that despite the ordinance, she and her roommates will be able to find a suitable living arrangement for next year.
Students continue to search for housing within the historic districts, though other off-campus housing options like The Grove and The Bellamy are becoming available.
“(Group housing) is fine if you’re being quiet, being respectful to your neighbors and keeping the house up,” Graham said. “You shouldn’t expect any trouble.”
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Mar 13 2009. Filed under News.
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