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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/19/2026 Item 6a, Alpha Epsilon Pi Joshua Pinsky < To:E-mail Council Website Subject:AEPI Agenda Attachments:Letter_Fraternity 05.17.2026.docx; Possible Outcomes for CUP's (3).pdf To help prot ect your priva Decibel Readings.pdf cy, … Good Morning, My name is Joshua Pinsky, and I am the appellant for Item 6A. I am submitting three files in our favor. First is a proposed solutions doc constructed by my partner, Eliran Solomon, and I. The second a ttachment is the statement submitted to us from the resident managers of the apartment complex adjacent to our property. Third is our Decibel Readings which is applicable to our solutions. We are asking for these files to be attached to our item so that the Council is able to look at it before and during the hearing. Please let me know if you need anything else from me. Best, Joshua -- Joshua Pinsky Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity President | ΣΩ Chapter Cal Poly San Luis Obispo | Business Administration 323.447.4737 1 ● revise the unrealistic 25-person cap ○ 1.5x occupancy was historically deemed as the multiple that held fraternities to a standard that would not cause harm to neighbors. ○ We surveyed neighbors, spoke directly to landlords, and residents to prove that this is not the case. It was submitted prior to the hearing that AEPI had held numerous events with over 25 members and the number count did not have a direct relationship with harm caused. ○ It is impossible to operate as a fraternity with over 90 members to operate out of a property that only 25 people are allowed to be in. ● create a more practical pathway for recurring low-impact events, ○ Special event permits have strict requirements that are very difficult to meet with the way fraternities and non-profits operate. Too much changes in 90 days in order to stick to events that are planned out prior to that deadline. ● structure re-review thresholds around academic semesters rather than rolling calendar periods ○ With the fraternities having turnover on an academic year, the re-review threshold should be in line with academic calendar and property turnover. ● and create clearer, more objective standards regarding noise enforcement and complaint evaluation. ○ Municipal code change for residential zones ○ We have used decibel readings in order to ensure noise is not going past what would be deemed conversational sound on our property lines. (see Exhibit 1) ○ For now allowing fraternities to be put on Christine Wallace’s party registration system, due to ordinance being subjective towards what PD deems “noise heard over the property line” ● Differentiate between who is actually calling; is it a direct neighbor who is being harmed, or is it someone going out and actually looking for noise who is not being harmed? ○ We should integrate this into a broader warning system, if no harm is being caused to a direct neighbor, the property holding a CUP should be given a warning and a 15-20 minute shut down time, if this complaint is given by a direct neighbor who is being harmed by noise, there should be a violation. Exhibit 1: Decibel Readings Doc May 17, 2026 To Whom It May Concern, My wife and I are the resident managers of Lee Arms Apartments, which is located directly next to the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity. We want to confirm that the members have not been a nuisance to us at any time. We have not experienced disturbances, issues, or concerns related to their activities or presence. Additionally, we have not received any complaints from our apartment tenants regarding the fraternity. Our interactions with the members have been respectful, and we have had no problems living adjacent to them. Sincerely, Andrew Chestnut Resident Manager, Lee Arms Apartments 258 California Blvd. San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 UE TS-501 B Sound Level Meter ol am • r • I .�l 000 ri 1 I._» - &or l7 ,V& lw -w dw ft ToPT=s • TS 501B Ipl[ I] IJL u IL I low I �..� �,���dB I I UA Aro MAX I `\ - MIN a 4w a 0 16.21C 5 IROIHII 4o FAST 11111111111 401 11,MldB 1 : 'a A i . s- AN .71 "', opow",*N * la T5.5016 Sound Level Meter •JU C 3:32 so 5G • April 23 9:17 PM OPT Es TS,501 B Sound Level Meter Lii 1. Natalie Gravscheid Address: Lee Arms, Permit C5 Length of Residence Natalie has lived in the area for one academic year. Disturbance Frequency She reports never feeling disturbed by fraternities or sororities. Main Distributors None identified. She reports experiencing “a lot of peace” in her residence. Perception of Containment She believes fraternities and sororities are trying “super hard” to contain events. She even suggests the school may be overly strict at times. Support for Additional Regulations She does not feel additional regulations are necessary. Opinion on On-Campus Greek Row She would support an on-campus Greek row. Her support appears open-minded rather than driven by dissatisfaction. 2. Kate Kotowski Address: 258 California Boulevard, Unit C3 Length of Residence Living there since September (current school year). Disturbance Frequency Reports no disturbances. Main Distributors None. Perception of Containment Believes fraternities and sororities are managing events well. Support for More Regulations Does not suggest additional measures. Greek Row Proposal Indifferent — not strongly for or against. 3. Ashlin Burke Address: 258 California Boulevard, Unit C7 Length of Residence Current school year. Disturbance Frequency None reported. Main Distributors None. Containment View Feels Greek organizations are complying with school and city standards. Regulation Support Neutral — open to improvements but does not identify a need. Greek Row Possibly supportive. 4. Sophia Taylor Address: Lee Arms Length of Residence Two years. Disturbance Frequency None. Main Distributors No noise or behavioral complaints. Perception of Effort Believes Greek life complies with regulations and maintains appropriate noise levels. Regulation Support Would support new regulations if implemented, but does not feel they are currently needed. Greek Row Supportive — believes it could be beneficial for unification and structure. 5. Umi Park Address: 258 California Boulevard, Apartment C Length of Residence One academic year. Disturbance Frequency None. Main Distributors None. Perception of Effort Believes fraternities are doing a good job managing events. Regulation Support No additional regulations suggested. Greek Row Prefers the current structure — values integration. 6. Madeline Mergenthalar Address: 258 California Boulevard, Unit B6 Length of Residence Seven months. Disturbance Frequency None. Main Distributors None. Perception of Effort States fraternities and sororities are doing well. Regulation Support No additional regulations proposed. Greek Row Neutral but open to the idea. 7. Kyle Fitzgerald Address: 258 California Boulevard Length of Residence Three months. Disturbance Frequency None. Main Distributors None. Perception of Containment Feels organizations comply with regulations and do not disturb residents. Regulation Support Does not see a need for further regulations. Greek Row Supportive — sees potential community benefit. 8. Margaux Knobel Address: 258 California Boulevard, Unit B2 Length of Residence Two years. Disturbance Frequency None. Main Distributors None personally. She highlighted proactive fraternity behavior, including distributing contact information to neighbors. Perception of Effort Strongly believes Greek life is making an effort. She empathizes with how difficult it is to control large crowds. Regulation Support Does not believe additional regulations are needed. Greek Row Supportive — cites: ● Improved safety ● Noise concentration ● Centralization 9. Will Stowers Address: 258 California Boulevard, Unit 2A Length of Residence Half a year. Disturbance Frequency None. Main Distributors Occasional audible noise if awake but not disturbing. Perception of Effort Believes fraternities are attempting to manage events responsibly. Regulation Support Suggests mutually agreed-upon respectful quiet hours rather than strict enforcement. Greek Row Prefers current integration and worries about exclusivity. 10. Lola Brown Address: 258 California Boulevard Length of Residence Current school year. Disturbance Frequency None. Main Distributors None. Perception of Effort Feels Greek organizations are doing a “great job.” Regulation Support Does not feel additional regulations are necessary. Greek Row Would find it beneficial but does not feel strongly. 11. Two-Year Resident (Name Unclear in Transcript) Length of Residence Two years. Disturbance Frequency None. Main Distributors None. Perception of Effort Believes fraternities are sufficiently containing noise and activity. Regulation Support No new regulations suggested. Greek Row Prefers the current structure. 12. Noah Alloun Address: 1209 Frederick Street, Apartment A Length of Residence Since fall quarter. Disturbance Frequency Occasionally disturbed. Main Distributors ● Late-night noise ● Foot traffic outside bedroom ● General weekend activity ● Music at times He notes difficulty determining whether disturbances are specifically fraternity-related. Perception of Effort Mixed: ● Acknowledges difficulty of crowd management ● Believes fraternities try, but suggests additional effort may help Regulation Support Open to stronger quiet hour enforcement and improved crowd etiquette. Greek Row Supportive — sees centralization as beneficial long-term. 13. Lee Arms Resident (Two Quarters) Length of Residence Two quarters. Disturbance Frequency Never disturbed. Main Distributors None personally. Perception of Effort Believes Greek organizations are responsibly managing events. Regulation Support Does not propose additional regulations. Greek Row Supportive — believes it may reduce neighborhood complaints. 14. Sydney Doyle Address: 420 Halfway Length of Residence Three years (longest resident interviewed). Disturbance Frequency Rare, minor disturbances. Main Distributors ● Honking during car wash events ● Crowding during sorority formals ● Public urination incident ● Increased foot traffic Perception of Effort Generally believes fraternities are not problematic. Suggests: ● Alternative meetup locations ● Party size caps ● Encouraging quieter walking behavior Regulation Support Moderately supportive of practical adjustments. Greek Row Neutral — feels safe but understands some may prefer separation. OVERALL FINDINGS (Across All 14 Interviews) ● 12 of 14 report no disturbance. ● 1 reports minor situational disturbance. ● 1 reports occasional noise and foot traffic. ● Majority believe fraternities are trying hard enough. ● Very low demand for stricter regulation. ● Moderate support for eventual on-campus Greek row.