The decision by the town of Chapel Hill to enforce the law banning more than four unrelated people in a home fails to recognize the realities of life here and places a heavy and unnecessary burden upon students.
The Land Use Management Ordinance has long been on the books, but Chapel Hill Senior Code Enforcement Officer Chelsea Laws has decided to step up enforcement.
A law limiting the number of non-related individuals in a single-family unit to four makes little sense.
Chapel Hill is fundamentally a college town. Residents who live near the University ought to recognize that fact.
Of course, the point at which the freedoms of one party begin to detract from those of another is the point at which that liberty is forfeited.
But being a nuisance, regardless of occupancy, is grounds for punitive action. So letting students peacefully occupy a home that accommodates them hardly seems like too much to ask for.
Housing is always in demand in Chapel Hill and a premium is placed on living near campus. By artificially limiting the supply of housing, the town is effectively forcing students to find housing farther from the University or pay more.
This will lead to increased traffic, congestion and transit costs as students require other means of transportation to make the longer commute.
Also of issue is the lost revenue of landlords who must now evict their residents lest either party pay a fine of $100 per day. So much for freedom of contract.
