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REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 27, 2008
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<br />COMMENTS CONCERNING STUDENT HOUSING IN HARTER HEIGHTS
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<br />Bill Stenz, 1020 E. Colfax Avenue, South Bend, Indiana, commented on the increase in
<br />Student Housing in the Northeast Neighborhood. He advised that the increase in demand
<br />for off campus student housing and weekend rentals is undermining diversity in our
<br />neighborhoods, especially in Harter Heights and the Northeast Neighborhood. Students
<br />are able to pay higher rents than typically paid by local tenants. Years ago, this created
<br />an opportunity for some homeowners to rent/sublease an extra bedroom for students.
<br />Over the years, more homeowners “expanded” their opportunities by adding extra
<br />bathrooms, sleeping areas in basements, etc., often without the knowledge of the
<br />building/zoning departments. Eventually, these homeowners realized they could move
<br />out, buy another home nearby or elsewhere, and rent their old home and reap the benefit
<br />of income and help pay for their “new” home. Some of this type of activity appears to be
<br />occurring in the Harter Heights Neighborhood. In the past, students were forced to look
<br />at other neighborhoods throughout the city for off campus housing. The Northeast
<br />Neighborhood, Harter Heights, and Howard Park areas are seeing a dramatic increase in
<br />student housing, as the addition of basement sleeping rooms, attic conversions, and
<br />bathroom additions has been observed in all these areas. Opaque 6’ fencing, not typical
<br />in our neighborhoods, is occurring in more of these student housing areas, to shield
<br />increased parking, or provide privacy for “keg” parties etc. Many yards are now
<br />completely covered in stone for parking spaces. Where parking is not provided off street,
<br />cars are parked all over the streets, with snow removal problems, congestion, and even
<br />unsafe parking in right of ways (in front of sidewalks, too close to the intersections, etc.)
<br />A dramatic difference in street snow removal can be observed when the students are on
<br />winter break, when their cars are not all over the place. However, the sidewalks are
<br />never shoveled during these times, and in most cases, are not when the students are in
<br />town. It is now typical that many of these student houses can be occupied by over five
<br />students, compared to a former typical three bedroom/one bath house with Mom, Dad,
<br />and a couple kids. This means five plus cars compared to the two or maybe three. This
<br />means lower property values for neighbors who have to put up with the increased density,
<br />and general poor responsibilities and habits teen tenants have towards property. Just look
<br />at how they handle their trash receptacles in these student housing areas. Many seniors,
<br />widow, etc., needing to sell their homes, are forced to sell to Student Landlords, and in
<br />the past have even been asked to “document” they are grandfathered for students, even if
<br />they never rented to them in the past, because they cannot find a buyer willing to live
<br />near these types of rentals. It also means less total housing stock is rented, therefore
<br />increasing vacant housing by “lowering” the demand for spread out student rentals in
<br />other neighborhoods throughout the city and county. Eventually, pockets of student
<br />housing grow to become solely student rentals, with no diversity of housing types or
<br />occupants. This becomes more alarming from a safety point of view, as during certain
<br />periods, there may be no neighbor “watching out” for criminal or suspicious activity in
<br />the block.
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<br />ADJOURNMENT
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<br />There being no further business to come before the President Timothy Rouse adjourned
<br />the meeting at 9:53 p.m.
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<br />ATTEST: ATTEST:
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<br />____________________________ ____________________________
<br />John Voorde, City Clerk Timothy Rouse, President
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