Letter: Zoning Ordinance Needs Help
To the Editor-
I am writing to raise awareness of the lack of enforcement of the single family zoning ordinance that I continue to deal with in district 2 as the alderperson of Stevens Point.
The code for single family homes states that,”…only 2 unrelated persons can reside in a home” located in the single family zoning. For a fact, a home that is located basically in my backyard was violating this zoning ordinance of “only two unrelated persons residing”. This past summer, three college students were
living and renting the home. When the students were informed by the city as well as me about the zoning code, they were extremely apologetic. The students
eventually shared that the agreement was “under the table” plus; they were not aware of the single family zoning ordinance. The students eventually moved out.
Now I think there are two unrelated individuals living in the home; yet at times more than three or four cars are parked in the driveway and the conditions of
the home continues to deteriorate. During this past winter, snow removal by the current residents in this home was nonexistent; therefore, the city had to issue an order. In the meantime, a collection of newspapers, garbage, sand, and an eyesore of a lawn which is mainly dirt have created substantial home conditions; yet only my opinion.
I have been told by city staff as long as the zoning ordinance is not being violated there is nothing else the city can do, even though it is very possible two or three unrelated residents are living in what I would refer to as “an under the table type of rental contract” in a single family residential zone.
Continuing with the single family zoning ordinance in District 2, I recently had to deal with a home that was bought apparently by a parent for their daughter who was attending UWSP. The home was brought to my attention by a constituent because of the number of cars parked causing some parking issues on the local street. It became obvious to me that somehow during the transaction of the home, the father claimed that he was not aware of the single family zoning ordinance. With the city’s help, the situation was corrected. The situation was corrected only because a constituent brought it to my attention due to the parking problems not because the single family zoning ordinance was being violated. This example just shows the lack of awareness and enforcement of the single family zoning.
Currently there are several homes for sale in District 2. In order for the single family zoning ordinance to be followed, local relators need to be aware of the specific zoning laws and try not to hide it as well as make the future home owner aware of the specific zoning ordinance. The city also needs to take a stronger stance on enforcing the single family zoning ordinance consistently not just in District 2 but in other districts as well.
Protection of the quality of our neighborhoods needs to be a joint effort by many!
Joanne Suomi
District 2 Alderwoman