HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/15/2025 Item 8a, Czech
Genevieve Czech <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Item 8a of meeting by City Council on 07/15/25
Dear Lady Mayoress and City Council:
The correspondence you have received already is sufficient for you to both study and assimilate the
serious concerns of SLO city residents, long standing and productive residents whose concerns
deserve your humble and earnest consideration.
Among some of those issues raised are the failure by Cal Poly to release the addresses of
satellite fraternities and sororities. In effect they violate our zoning codes. One suggestion that has been
made is for Cal Poly to provide Greek houses on campus as is the practice of most Universities. Another
recommendation is for the owners/landlords of student housing to enforce the rental agreements,
imposing fines for students holding loud and overcrowded parties beyond the curfew, evern becoming
excessively loud before the curfew when the party starts in early afternoon. Registering parties has not
been a suitable strategy as the Police tend to ignore noise complaints once the party would have been
registered. Registering implies a permit to abuse any noise ordinance in a residential neighborhood.
One correspondent has made the considerable effort to log the history of the problems, including the
SCLC committee's initial founding/purpose/composition and limitations, including making the minutes
of their meetings available to the public. I do indeed support former Mayor Jan Marx's inclusion on that
committee to enable the full understanding of the history and successes and failures of neighborhood
wellness in current and future discussion.
Two decades ago Cal Poly made some efforts to participate in reducing the town/gown issues in building
more campus housing, in having students view a video of their responsibilities when living in residential
neighborhoods. Their declared intention of having not only Freshmen and Sophomores live on campus,
but gradually even the Juniors and Seniors is not consonant with their objective of increased growth.
Further, it denies the adult students the opportunity to live together in harmony and experience and
establish home management. Our street which has over 50% student rental housing has witnessed
some very good examples of responsible student tenancy, while other examples of insensitive behavior
regarding the longtime residents. In such cases we have been compelled to intervene personally after
suffering the disturbance, or reporting the violation beyond curfew. 'Tis true that the Police have not
always been responsive, or sufficiently punitive when they have intervened.
The earlier practice of "good renter certificates" was apparently stopped due to claims of discrimination
of student tenants, which is unfounded, as landlords have the right to even evict tenants who violate the
rental agreement.
You were invited before the grand jury report was published to visit neighborhoods to witness firsthand
the disruption satellite fraternities caused to a residential neighborhood. Apparently, no members of the
Council accepted the invitation to actually experience the problem. The effort the grand jury report
represents cannot be dismissed as NIMBY whining, but more than justified concerns and issues by the
SLO residents who wish to preserve gracious and respectful community living in SLO with the full support
of the City staff elected by them, and the interaction of Cal Poly whose declared aim is to teach learning
by doing, including responsible citizenship in the community.
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May you reflect on all the issues raised in your correspondence with a sincere and resolved discussion
and action to model a town who works with gown and landlords to ensure more harmony and mutual
respect.
Yours sincerely,
Genevieve Czech, 612 Stanford Drive, San Luis Obispo
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