Council tackles mini-dorm issue again
By: COLLEEN MENSCHING - Staff Writer
Enforcement policy, student-community commission proposed | ∞
SAN MARCOS -- The City Council is expected tonight to vote on an ordinance intended to curb "mini-dorms" -- or single-family homes leased to three or more people, often college students sharing expenses.
Also on the agenda is the creation of a Student and Neighborhood Relations Commission. Tonight's meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 1 Civic Center Drive. It can be viewed live on the Internet at www.ci.san-marcos.ca.us.
In September, residents at a city-sponsored education forum complained of rowdy students, noise, litter and scarce parking in their neighborhoods. Since then, the search has been on for a solution that keeps longtime residents happy while accommodating the growing number of Cal State San Marcos and Palomar College students who want to live near the campuses. Neither campus provides much student housing.
The city's proposal seeks to regulate "rooming houses" -- which it defines as a building with three or more rooms with three or more people under as many leases -- by limiting where they can be.
Residents found in violation of the ordinance could face heavy fines or criminal prosecution.
Proponents of the ordinance say it would prevent single-family homes from becoming commercial enterprises that degrade the quality of life in traditional neighborhoods.
Opponents worry the ordinance erodes property rights and could penalize well-behaved renters who are technically in violation of it.
Under the policy, prosecution would only be triggered by complaints and only after other efforts, such as discouraging bad behavior with existing codes and law enforcement, had failed. The city would not pursue anonymous complaints, the policy stated.
Though most public discussion about the ordinance has focused on student behavior, a recent city staff report said officials have "received numerous complaints regarding residential arrangements that do not appear to stem from student housing."
On a separate front, the council will consider creating a Student and Neighborhood Relations Commission to "promote collaboration, tolerance and mutual respect among students and residents," according to a mission statement prepared by city staff.
The commission would be made up of city representatives appointed by the council, presidential appointees and student representatives from Cal State San Marcos and Palomar College, the Chamber of Commerce director and a representative from the Marine Corps' Camp Pendleton.
Council agendas and staff reports are available on the city's Web site.
-- Contact staff writer Colleen Mensching at (760) 739-6675 or cmensching@nctimes.com.
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Why punish everyone ? wrote on Jan 22, 2008 6:44 AM:What about all of the people who share expenses in these trying times, that are well-behaved and do not bother anybody ? Why should everyone be penalized for the wrongs of a few ? Why can't the college and university make rules that students must follow ? Does the Campus Police at each school have the right to uphold the law ?
Ordinance for a few, nothing for others... wrote on Jan 22, 2008 6:51 AM:It is interesting that the City Council wrote an ordinance that applies to every single-family home in San Marcos, with the urging and complaints of people at the September Education Forum. Amazing ! When the citizens and the government and civic associations spoke out against that Palomar Station project and other issues, the City Council thought they were just great ! Why is the City discriminating against single-family homes, anyway ? Aren't they the backbone of the city ?
City will use ordinance as a club wrote on Jan 22, 2008 6:58 AM:Very few people would even think that "Animal House" behavior should be allowed, but why, when we already pay for ADDITIONAL police and fire protection (most of the newer or remodeled homes have mello-roos), can't the police, along with the Campus Police, take care of the problem. That is what they are paid to do. Instead, the new city council has designed a mini-dorm ordinance that will cause severe problems for the well-behaved students, the couples sharing a home, and a parent who is caring for their adult children and/or parents. This ordinance is not fair to all of those citizens that follow the law. The city will have the power AND THEY WILL USE IT . Fines and even JAIL TIME is possible. Think about it.
King Jim and court.. wrote on Jan 22, 2008 7:20 AM:Why not enforce the current rules?? Don't you think this is a property rights issue? Why does the Chamber of Commerce (a businees group) and Camp Pendleton (from Oceanside) be on a commission for the City of San Marcos? Just a thought....
Entrophizzo wrote on Jan 22, 2008 8:46 AM:zzzzzzzzzzzzzz...zzzzzzzzzzzzz...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...zzzzzzzzzzzzz
crazy wrote on Jan 22, 2008 11:07 AM:So now we need a law against roommates? Puh-lease.
Karl wrote on Jan 22, 2008 11:25 AM:"crazy wrote on Jan 22, 2008 11:07 AM:". No, we need an ordinance prohibitting 20 roommates in a 3 bedroom home and the wild parties that go along with it. Are you volunteering tio live next to a home with this scenario?
Quit stepping on my living.... wrote on Jan 22, 2008 12:42 PM:I make a living renting to multiple family households. People, even poor people, need a place to live that is close to work and school. I supply that place. I often rent homes to three or four families in some of the wealthier neighborhoods in Solana Beach and Del-Mar. I've been buying properties near the university in San Marcos to rent as well. Quit taking food from my mouth. Let the free market decide!!!
Hey wrote on Jan 22, 2008 12:49 PM:is this going to include the home on the west end of Rock Springs Rd at Larchwood Drive that I counted 8, yes 8 cars in the front yard last night? Let's include everyone, City of San Marcos!!!!!!!!!!! We all know there is not 1 family living there, and it's bringing down the neighborhood!
What if it's a frat, or a single lessor? wrote on Jan 22, 2008 1:22 PM:A fraternity could BUY a house, and create a REAL animal house, or, one of the students could sign the lease, and have lots of room-mates. They had all these same rules when I was in college in Boston, they did nothing except give the police an excuse to harass students and landlords a way to avoid the upkeep of their buildings (if you complained, they suddenly "discovered" you had lots of room-mates, thereby being able to get he police to evict you without notice). The former creates a wall between town and gown, the latter actually leads to more, not less, blight. Enforce the noise ordinances and the public drunkenness ones, and quit with additional laws already. We've got enough laws that you can't get through a day without committing some sort of crime.
Get 'er done! wrote on Jan 22, 2008 1:27 PM:Get this ordinace passed NOW and start enforcing the law immediately! I doubt if too many home owners in San Marcos are prepared to see our community turned into another Escondido.
to get 'er done wrote on Jan 22, 2008 3:34 PM:San Marcos is worst than Escondido already. San Marcos has "zero" character and now has become a college town with lots of problems.
Part y Party Party wrote on Jan 22, 2008 3:55 PM:I'm looking forward to going to school in San Marcos next year. My friends and I have already rented a house near the university and we are going to PARTY! Pass whatever law you want, we'll find a way around it. If you don't like it...too bad, this is AMERICA!
matt wrote on Jan 22, 2008 4:26 PM:if 3 students want to live in a 3 bedroom house they can. this is america. the city council should be recalled
matt wrote on Jan 22, 2008 4:28 PM:CSUSM has plans to be a 30k plus student university. the students are not going anywhere, get used to it or move.
p.s. there is nothing wrong with sm becoming a college town.
Tired of 25 people in one house wrote on Jan 22, 2008 4:31 PM:" I often rent homes to three or four families in some of the wealthier neighborhoods in Solana Beach and Del-Mar."
Then get a permit. When we buy in single family zoned neighborhoods, it means we don't want to live next to apartments.
Dorm rooms wrote on Jan 22, 2008 4:50 PM:Even dorm rooms house 2 sharing a room. Why can't a 3 bedroom house have maximum of 2 per room before it's considered a "mini-dorm"? Most household have more than 3 living in it, often with more than 2 cars because of teenage children that drive! You are punishing all students because of a few bad ones. Kick them out of school. How do you expect us to afford school unless we can share rent? Rent is getting higher! Apartments too! And the college WON'T build enough dorms! This is wrong. Why did the city want to be a college town if they don't welcome students here?
Gary wrote on Jan 22, 2008 4:52 PM:Gee, when I went to college I was there to get an education not to party and disrupt the whole neighborhood.
To Greg wrote on Jan 22, 2008 7:22 PM:Haven't you noticed the large ammount of people walking around with college education that are just plain stupid? A lot of kids go to college because the parents get sick of them sitting around and disrupting their homes. Better to send them off to party and raise hell somewhere else I suppose.
To Gary wrote on Jan 22, 2008 8:37 PM:Me too. I don't get those that just want to get away from mommy and daddy and break all the laws. Dumb kids. They think they are SOOO mature and responsible adults being away. But they act worse that two years olds, just drunk. Most of them aren't of drinking age but they do anyway? Maybe every home that's rented should require a real adult as a dorm mom or something. I don't believe they are all as bad as the minority causing the problem. It's just that there are too many in the minority. 49% is a minority! They may never grow up!!
To Get 'er Done , 3:34 p.m. wrote on Jan 22, 2008 10:13 PM:You can't be serious, stating that San Marcos is worse than Escondido. Anyone driving through most parts of Escon. can easily see that it is one step from being annexed to Mexico. Heck, at least most of the homeowners in SM know that garages are to be used for cars, not sleeping quarters!
SM Resident wrote on Jan 23, 2008 9:47 AM:Where is my letter I wrote yesterday, are you prejudice or afraid that I told the truth??
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