HomeMy WebLinkAbout5_28_2025 Item 4b, Walker, K.kathie walker <kathiewalkerslo@gmail.com>
Sent:Friday, May 23,
To:Advisory Bodies
Subject:Re-review of CUP: Sigma Nu - 1304 Foothill Blvd
Dear Planning Commissioners,
Early this year, Ilearned that the Sigma Nu fraternity at1304 Foothill Blvd would be re-
reviewed by the Planning Commission. Idid not make this complaint to
Community Development, but am glad that the City isconsidering the negative impacts
ofproblem fraternities on the neighborhood.
Our family isnot the only household affected by fraternities inour neighborhood.
Unfortunately, most residents are afraid tocome forward because they fear retaliation
from fraternity members. This does not specifically apply toSigma Nu butapplies overall
tothe fraternity culture and the experiences ofmany ofthe long-term residents inour
neighborhood. Therefore, Ithink it'simportant to mention.
Some residents have told me about the vandalism oftheir property and harm totheir
pet that they suspect was caused by fraternity members, after they (two different
families) told the owner ofthe property about the problems caused by afraternity, and
the fraternity'slease was not renewed. Some long-term residents are so intimidated by
fraternity members that they will not report loud parties toSLOPD because they are
afraid the fraternity members will know itwas them and willretaliate. These are elderly
people, afraid toreport the anti-social behavior oftheir neighbors.
One ofmy neighbors, two blocks away (near the Sigma Nu property) sent me avideo
taken by hiswife ofa mob ofyoung adults infront ofhis house on St. Fratty'sDay,
3/15/2025. Acollege-aged guy walking by yelled athis wife, "Kathie Walker! MOVE!!" I
was inmy home, two blocks away, and Iam slightly older than his wife, but somehow
the guy assumed she was me.
I have been harassed and cyberstalked by fraternity members who lived next door after
SLOPD issued them anoise violation. After they moved out, the harassment continued.
As recently as one month ago, people showed up at our home late at night because they
were told there was aparty atour address. A few weeks ago, aguy walked by our
home, said my name and called me af--king bitch. These people have never met meor
interacted with me, but are targeting me because my husband and Ihave made the City
aware ofthe "fraternity problem" after a fraternity moved innext door tousin2022. We
are not the bad guys. The fraternities have been operating illegally, with impunity for so
long that they now resent having to follow the rules.
Sigma Nu has aConditional Use Permit at1304 Foothill, but itshistory shows ongoing
noise complaints, citations, and aflagrant disregard for the conditions ofits CUP. The
1
reason afraternity isallowed tooperate inan R3orR4 residential neighborhood isthat
they have aCUP, and the fraternity members are expected tofollow the conditions of
their CUP toblend into the higher-density neighborhoods.
Ascreenshot ofthe noise complaints for 1304 Foothill for the past 11/2years is below.
Most ofthe citations at1304 Foothill are for parties of100+ people. The SLOPD Log
shows 100 people atthe party on 11/1/2024, although the administrative citation issued
by Officer Cutler lists 300 people for that same party. Acopy ofthe citation, shown
below, isincluded inAttachment 6E - Notice toCorrect Violations, dated 1/8/2025,
page 6. I'mnot sure why the SLOPD log only lists 100 people when the citation says
300.
2
The Notice ofViolation sent tothe property owner on 1/8/2025 outlines the violation of
the conditions listed inthe CUP and the history ofnoise calls toSLOPD. Some ofthe
police reports say blaring music was heard 200 feet from the property, and alcohol
violations were observed bythe police officers. The Notice sent tothe property owner
says these violations constitute apublic nuisance and must be abated.
About 6weeks after the notice was sent on 1/8/2025, the fraternity continued hosting
large, noisy parties. Between the end ofFebruary 2025 and April 2025, there were four
loud parties at1304 Foothill with 80-100+ people! The max occupancy according to
the CUP is19 people.
The party on 2/22/2025 had 100 people listed on the citation.
This isthe third citation inless than 9months and carries afine of $1,000. The City also
issues afine tothe property owner (Ithink itisalso $1,000) with a "landlord citation".
Most people would be paying attention atthis point because ofthe consequences. Sigma
Nu, however, did not care. Each subsequent citation within 9 months carried the same
financial penalty.
3
Less than one week later, on2/28/2025, the fraternity held another large, noisy party
with blaring music and received another citation that also listed 100 people.
Less than two months later, on 4/19/2025, they held another loud party with 80 people
listed on thecitation.
The fraternity installed temporary fencing around the perimeter ofits front yard on
2/28/2025 and 4/19/2025 tohide the view ofitsparties. Photos below show the fences
installed tohide the parties on February 28th and April 19th.
4
Sigma Nu knew orshould have known about the conditions listed inits CUP after the
City sent a Notice ofViolation on 1/8/2025. They knew they were violating the terms of
the CUP and the noise ordinance by subsequently throwing enormous, loud parties. They
knew itwas wrong, but they did itanyway, again and again. By their actions and
behavior, they have shown that they donot have any consideration for rules, the law, or
the impact of their actions on their neighbors. Ican understand giving them one or two
chances, but they've had seven citations within the past 11/2years. The parties were
huge and extremely disruptive, and they did not care about the consequences.
They got three citations for huge parties after the property owner was issued a
Notice of Violation! It'sirrational toreward this behavior with approval ofits CUP at
1304 Foothill. Ido not understand why City Staff isrecommending approval. The CUP
should berevoked.
Sigma Nu has another CUP for separate property at1292 Foothill, so the fraternity has
the opportunity toprove itcan beresponsible byfollowing the conditions ofthe CUP at
that property. They will still be able tooperate from adifferent location. Unfortunately,
thefraternity hasshown that itisnot able orwilling toabide by the conditions ofthe
CUP at1304 Foothill, and Irespectfully request that the CUP be revoked.
5
Many other fraternities atCal Poly do not have a legal location oraCUP. Only 6ofCal
Poly's 18 fraternities have CUPs, and Sigma Nu has two for separate properties. Perhaps
a different fraternity would be willing to abide by the terms ofthe CUP and be better
neighbors. Or perhaps the property isbetter suited forstandard housing since that area
ofthe neighborhood has ahigh concentration offraternities, which have adversely
affected the neighborhood.
Ialso feel the property owners offraternity houses should be held accountable for their
CUPs. Fraternities tend topay a higher amount ofrent because itisdivided among
several people. Leasing toafraternity islucrative for these investors. They also have a
responsibility to ensure that their tenants are not causing mayhem in the neighborhood.
Finally, CalPoly needs tostart taking responsibility for its fraternities. The
neighborhoods cannot accommodate each ofthe 18 fraternities atCal Poly. The
university iscontinuing torecruit new fraternities. Alpha Gamma Rho willbe
reinstated next year, and Cal Poly recently announced that Phi Kappa Alpha will join Cal
Poly inFall 2026. The neighborhoods cannot bear the burden ofhousing Cal Poly's
fraternities, especially when those fraternities are not able tofollow the conditions of
their CUPs. Please hold them accountable.
Sigma Nu has demonstrated again and again that itisnot able toabide bythe
conditions ofits CUP at1304 Foothill orthe noise ordinance. Please do not approve the
CUP.
Thank you,
Kathie Walker
6