The owners of rental properties haven't decided yet if they will sue the city again.
View full sizeSusan Chase, a homeowner on Ackerman Avenue in the Syracuse University neighborhood, is happy with the Syracuse Common Council vote that requires owners of rental properties to have one parking spot for each bedroom. Chase, a child caregiver, is holding 2-year-old Ellie Behan.
Syracuse, NY -- Sue Chase grew up in the Syracuse University neighborhood, surrounded by families and a few college students. Now her home and daycare center at 838 Ackerman Ave. is surrounded by apartments full of students, some of whom are often loud, drunk and vulgar.
SU’s Mayfest 2009 became so out of control, Chase said, that she had to walk with babies and toddlers to the school bus stop to meet the older children she watches. She didn’t want them walking alone through a sea of rude, drunken students, she said.
But Chase and the South East University Neighborhood Association won a victory Monday when the Syracuse Common Council voted to reaffirm legislation aimed at limiting student renters in the neighborhoods east of campus.
A 6-3 vote upheld the city’s 2007 law that requires one parking space per bedroom for all new rental property. It also defines working parking spaces as being separate from driveways and prohibits any parking space from blocking another. The law does not apply to existing rental properties, unless the owner makes major property changes. The goal is to limit conversion of more owner-occupied homes into rental property, and SEUNA members say it’s working.
Chase hopes the law keeps families and other homeowners in her neighborhood. Chase likes having students around, but doesn’t want to be the only homeowner on her block. “This was my grandmother’s house,” Chase said. “I love it here.”
Councilors Ryan McMahon and Matt Rayo, both Republicans, and Pat Hogan, a Democrat, voted against the legislation, which is opposed by landlords and some homeowners who worry they won’t be able to rent out their property if the need arises. More than 100 people packed a meeting of the council’s Neighborhood Preservation Committee Thursday to hear about the legislation, ask questions and voice concerns.
David Patruno told city officials at a similar meeting last month that the legislation has unintended consequences that hurt property owners. It would block him from renting his 1129 Westcott St. home because the house has only a small driveway. Patruno doesn’t plan to move soon, but plans could change, he said. “What if I can’t sell?” asked Patruno. “I won’t be able to rent out my own house.”
The legislation came up to a vote again because a court decision invalidated the 2007 law, which passed council unanimously. A group of SU area landlords sued the city over the original law and won. A state Supreme Court judge ruled last year that the city had not properly followed environmental review procedure. The city hopes to appeal, but opted to pass the legislation again to avoid any gaps in coverage.
The landlords who sued are part of the Syracuse Property Owners Association. The lawyer who represents the landlord group said Monday he wasn’t ready to comment on whether SPOA would sue again.
But at least one landlord promised to take action. Gregg Tweedy said he’ll sue because the law discriminates against investors, students and homeowners who want to sell to the highest bidder. Tweedy said his four applications for “certificates of suitability” have been held up at City Hall for several years. Property owners are required to obtain the certificates to rent out houses that were previously owner-occupied in the special neighborhood district near Syracuse University.
Tweedy is renting out his four buildings on Lancaster Avenue and Clarendon Street even though he doesn’t have certificates, he said. “The students are the diversity in this neighborhood,” Tweedy said. “This law is just going to push them farther away, spread them out. More students will have to drive to campus.”
SU junior Adam Cohen said there never seems to be enough rental housing to meet demand. Most students who live off campus start searching in September for their apartments for the following academic year, he said. Cohen, 20, who rents at 815 Ackerman Ave., said the new restrictions will make it harder for students to find affordable apartments.
SEUNA wants families and homeowners to stay in the neighborhood, said President Michael Stanton. The new parking space regulation gives members peace of mind, he said, because it prevents landlords from buying more owner-occupied homes and converting them.
“Before 2007, we would worry every time we saw a for-sale sign go up,” said Stanton, of 315 Berkeley Drive. “Now we can be fairly confident they’ll go to other owner-occupants.”
City Corporation Counsel Juanita Perez Williams said the law allows for owners with exceptional circumstances to seek waivers from the Syracuse Planning Commission. City officials will work with area residents and landlords to determine if the law needs adjustment in the future, Perez Williams said.
Councilor McMahon voted for the 2007 law, but said he opposed the regulations Monday because the city did not involve area residents and property owners sufficiently in the process.
Contact Meghan Rubado at mrubado@syracuse.com or 470-3260.