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.