Greeks look to city for group housing approval

Despite previous conflicts, the future looks bright for Greeks and other students looking to apply for group housing. According to the city regulations, the Delta Zeta sorority house is waiting for City Council’s approval to earn the official title of a special use house by the end of the year.

“We’re all excited that we got approved,” said Kelly Herman, Delta Zeta sister and house resident. “It’s an important central location for our socials and philanthropy events.”

Delta Zeta acts as the first Greek house in the historic district to gain city approval under the current housing ordinance. Real estate investor Jerry Smaha originally applied for the special use permit for the sorority in 2006, but only recently did the Planning and Zoning Commission recommend that the house be approved for group use.

“We had to apply,” Herman said, “if only three girls lived there, like it says under the ordinance, instead of five, the rest of the girls’ dues would have to go up.”

Other Greek organizations are concerned with the restrictions of the ordinance and are looking into applying for group housing status.

“We have nine girls living in our house,” said Alpha Delta Pi president Ashton Dreyer. “I’m not positive if we have to apply yet, but we’ve owned the house for so long they’re not going to kick us out.”

According to Kappa Delta sisters Randi Lobstein and Xana Zaidi, their sorority is also seeking group housing approval from the city.

“I don’t like (the ordinance),” said Lobstein. “But we fought for our house, and I think we get to keep it.”

Lobstein and Zaidi expressed concern for the ordinance restrictions, especially at a time when many people are making housing arrangements for the start of a new school year.

Mervin Graham, director of city and zoning for Milledgeville, offers copies of the housing ordinance in her office and online for students who wish to look into the details of the ordinance.

“It’s like a rezoning application which will go before the city council twice before approval,” Graham said.

To apply for group housing status, a group of students or student organizations must pick up a copy of the official housing ordinance and application from the city.

After reviewing the ordinance, students must make sure the house in question meets all ordinance requirements including: fire safety codes, parking for each resident and requirements of the historic district for the house.

After filling out an application, students must wait for approval by the City Council. Council members will deliberate and vote on the issue after the application for group housing and re-zoning appears before the council twice.

The city encourages students to familiarize themselves with the ordinance and process of applying for group housing status.

“You really need to check out the ordinance,” said Graham. “It is available online and in my office.”

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Apr 17 2009. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry