HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/26/2026 Item 5a, Mohan
Terry Mohan <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Special Session 5/26/2026
Dear Council Members,
I am writing to express my opposition to the recent complaints and proposals presented by the Interfraternity
Council (IFC).
The IFC claims that fraternity chapters are being unfairly targeted and prosecuted more aggressively than
Panhellenic Association (PHA) chapters. That is because it is a proven fact that boys are more prone to
increased noise and disturbances than girls. One cited complaint involved a basketball game being stopped only
three minutes after quiet hours began during the winter months. Important context is missing from this example.
Was it already dark outside? While that may be the time for students to start the party for adult it's time to
unwind and children to sleep. How long had the noisy activity already been occurring before enforcement
action was taken? Residents living nearby are entitled to peace and quiet, especially during evening hours when
many people are home, studying, working, or sleeping.
I am also strongly opposed to the IFC recommendation to move the evening noise ordinance enforcement time
from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Such a change would primarily benefit a very small portion of the community —
fewer than 3,000 IFC members — while negatively affecting the quality of life for the much larger population
of permanent residents, families, workers, and the overwhelming majority of students who are not members of
fraternities.
Noise ordinances exist to balance the interests of all members of the community, not to grant special
exemptions to organizations whose activities already generate frequent neighborhood disturbances. Extending
unrestricted noisy activity later into the evening would shift the burden onto nearby residents who deserve
reasonable quiet enjoyment of their homes. I commend the city for taking proactive actions of using recruitment
materials, guest list systems, public recruitment dates, and social media as indicators for enforcement. While the
complaint driven enforcement can be generally adequate for neighborhood disturbances but when a large
student activity is planned the authorities need to be proactive as these events have proven to get out of hand
quickly.
I encourage the City Council to consider the interests of the entire community rather than the preferences of a
relatively small special-interest group. Maintaining the current ordinance hours helps preserve neighborhood
livability, public order, and respect between students and long-term residents. I repeat I strongly OPPOSE the
IFC's recommendations on this matter.
I also support the RQN recommendations to continue meaningful enforcement against illegal fraternity
operations within residential neighborhoods, reject overlay zones or zoning changes that accommodate
fraternity expansion into residential neighborhoods, and uphold the General Plan policies that protect
neighborhood livability.
Thank you for your consideration,
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Terry Mohan
2416 Santa Clara St,
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
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