2008 Woodie Awards
Mini dorm debate put on hold
City Council creates exploratory committee to assess situation
Elbert Esguerra
Issue date: 2/5/08 Section: News
Three weeks ago, the San Marcos City Council delayed any further action towards approving ordinances that would provide limitations toward maintaining mini dorms for multiple college students and young adults.
A mini dorm is a rental property found relatively close to college areas primarily with the purpose to accommodate students by providing additional living space. This remodeling may include converting garages into extra bedrooms and paving lawns to provide more parking.
The precarious situation between homeowners (who argue the rowdy tenants disrupt neighborhoods) and students (who believe affordable housing goes a long way) leaves the two communities embattled over the issue.
The current answer provided by City Council right now lies in the creation of a "Student and Neighborhood Relations Commission." The eight members will oversee potential solutions for neighborhoods disrupted by loud, unruly college students and any other disruptive conduct.
Two members of City Council will join the Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce and a USMC Camp Pendleton representative from Oceanside. The remaining four include students from Cal State San Marcos and from Palomar College.
In Jan. 2007, the City of San Diego passed an ordinance for the owners of single-family homes to pay additional permit fees up to $1000 a year for households that have six or more adult occupants. The surrounding college area at San Diego State University is the most affected by the ordinance.
Whether this will affect the San Marcos area remains unknown. Over the past several months, complaints among homeowners of the area have risen, mainly citing things such as loud partying, littering, and limited street parking.
For information concerning this issue, visit http://www.ci.san-marcos.ca.us/ccouncil.asp.
A mini dorm is a rental property found relatively close to college areas primarily with the purpose to accommodate students by providing additional living space. This remodeling may include converting garages into extra bedrooms and paving lawns to provide more parking.
The precarious situation between homeowners (who argue the rowdy tenants disrupt neighborhoods) and students (who believe affordable housing goes a long way) leaves the two communities embattled over the issue.
The current answer provided by City Council right now lies in the creation of a "Student and Neighborhood Relations Commission." The eight members will oversee potential solutions for neighborhoods disrupted by loud, unruly college students and any other disruptive conduct.
Two members of City Council will join the Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce and a USMC Camp Pendleton representative from Oceanside. The remaining four include students from Cal State San Marcos and from Palomar College.
In Jan. 2007, the City of San Diego passed an ordinance for the owners of single-family homes to pay additional permit fees up to $1000 a year for households that have six or more adult occupants. The surrounding college area at San Diego State University is the most affected by the ordinance.
Whether this will affect the San Marcos area remains unknown. Over the past several months, complaints among homeowners of the area have risen, mainly citing things such as loud partying, littering, and limited street parking.
For information concerning this issue, visit http://www.ci.san-marcos.ca.us/ccouncil.asp.
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