Many University students are moving into houses, but are being met with complaints from neighbors about their habits- parties, loud music and parking problems.
The Federation of Greater Baton Rouge Civic Associations, CAN DO of the Mayor’s Office and the Campus-Community Coalition for Change co-sponsored a meeting on Nov. 16 to discuss the issues of short-term neighbors, such as college students.
The co-sponsors invited residents from 60 neighborhoods around LSU.
John Radford, president of the federation, said the purpose of the meeting was to discuss problems neighbors may be experiencing.
Radford said many students are on their own for the first time and do not realize they are annoying their neighbors. He said the meeting suggested neighbors introduce themselves to the students and tell them what will be expected of them in the neighborhood.
Nancy Mathews, executive director of the CCCC, said students are unaware of their role in the community.
Mathews said neighborhoods are not used to these problems and did not necessarily do a good job educating their new young neighbors about their civic duties.
She said students bring many problems such as noise, disturbing the peace, parking, littering, alcohol violations, drunk driving, increased traffic, speeding, lack of property maintenance and increased property damage. She said even though some problems may not be generated from the student residents, they are ultimately responsible for their guests.
Radford said he urges upset neighbors to deal with the problem first and not call the police.
Gil Morin, a planner for the Office of Planning Commission, said there are mechanisms in place to block college students from living in single-family districts.
As defined by the Planning Commission, “a family is an individual or two or more persons who are related by blood, marriage or legal adoption living together and occupying a single housekeeping unit with single culinary facilities; or not more than two persons, or not more than four persons (provided the owner lives on the premises) living together by joint agreement and occupying a single housekeeping unit with single culinary facilities on a non-profit, cost sharing basis.”
After homeowners learn the zoning codes for their neighborhood, Morin said they usually can tell if the questionable property is in violation. Morin said the homeowners can then call the Department of Public Works, which enforces the zoning codes.
Morin said a Public Works agent investigates the complaints, and if the property is in violation of the codes, writes a formal letter to the residents or the property owner, if he or she can be determined, to inform him or her of the violation and what he or she is required to do.
If there is no response to the Public Works letter, Morin said the case is sent to the parish attorney.
Radford said this problem is not just in Baton Rouge. He said all college towns have problems in their neighborhoods because it is economically beneficial for students to live in houses instead of apartments or dorms.
Mathews said economic issues perpetuate these problems. More parents are buying homes for their college children, but the college students still are acting like they are living in dorms or apartments, she said.
Jason Wesley, a business senior and former candidate for Metro Council District 12, said he and his roommates live in a residential area and try to keep good relations with their neighbors.
As a candidate, Wesley said he received many complaints about college students moving into residential areas. He said the main problem is the people complaining address the problems differently; some talk to their problem neighbors and others simply call law enforcement.
Instead of changing the zoning codes, Wesley suggested fining the homeowner instead of attacking the college students.
Wesley said students have their place in the neighborhoods, but students owe their respect to the neighborhood and the area they live in.
Jordan Barkoff, a business junior, said he and his roommate live in a predominately-residential area. He said he has many older people and families as neighbors.
Barkoff said he has had two complaints about noise from his next-door neighbor and both times he tried to keep his guests quiet to accommodate his neighbor.
Matt Lionnet, a history junior, said when he and his roommates moved into their house, they understood they would need to keep up their property and keep good relations with their neighbors.
Lionnet said he has a good relationship with his neighbors and they have never complained about him and his roommates.
Although he has not generated any complaints, Lionnet said the college students living in the house before them were unruly. He said one of their neighbors filed suit against the former residents, but dropped it once they moved out.
Radford said the federation plans to hold a series of neighborhood meetings. He hopes LSU Student Government will attend the meeting.