Students Can't Stop Ban on Duplexes

The ban, which takes effect immediately and expires June 30, was adopted by the council after a lengthy public hearing where many residents and a handful of students spoke against the proposed development ordinance.

The council members voted against the proposal favored by student leaders, but Dean Bresciani, interim vice chancellor for student affairs, said students' presence still was effective.

"I think just in the nick of time students weighed in," Bresciani said. "(Council members) were waiting to see if students would step forward, and they did."

About 10 graduate students and five undergraduates attended the council meeting, with most of the presence coming from student government officials.

Although the duplex ban passed, student officials said it will have little effect on off-campus housing for UNC students.

Student Body President Jen Daum said that because the ban is temporary and not indefinite like other proposals considered, students won't be left scrambling for housing options.

"This is a compromise," she said.

During the public hearing, Branson Page, Graduate and Professional Student Federation president, presented a petition opposing the ordinance signed by more than 200 students and faculty members.

The petition contained information gathered by the External Relations Committee of student government and the Student Service Committee on Off-Campus Housing.

"The University doesn't provide enough viable and affordable housing for all of its students," Page said.

Some students already have been forced to look outside Chapel Hill to find feasible housing options.

A more permanent ban would have enlarged that problem, said Tony Larson, speaker of Student Congress, who also addressed council members.

"Students want a place to live that's convenient," said Larson, who lives in Durham because, he said, Chapel Hill is too expensive.

Student government leaders also fought to rebut the concerns voiced by several Chapel Hill residents who said UNC students are inconsiderate neighbors.

Larson said he disagreed with that point of view.

"Students are volunteering constantly in schools, churches and organizations," he said. "We are not just here to have loud parties and make litter."

Members of student government told council members they are willing to work with them to form a compromise, but their efforts were too late, said council member Flicka Bateman.

Bateman said she was glad students came to the hearing but emphasized that the ordinance affects more than just student housing and needs to be addressed in a wider scope over the next nine months.

The University Editor can be reached at udesk@unc.edu.