Roger
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Joined: 02 Jan 2003
Posts: 128
Location: Provo
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 Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2007 1:33 pm Post subject: Provo zoning laws target of ballot initiative - 6/29/2007 |
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| Quote: | Friday, June 29, 2007
Provo zoning laws target of ballot initiative
NATHAN JOHNSON - Daily Herald
They don't have a lot of cash and they are running out of time, but some Provo residents are pushing to end what they call discriminatory zoning laws.
Supporters of the Fair Zoning Initiative, which would strip Provo city code of all restrictions that reference singles, families or educational status, are running behind in gathering the signatures they need to get the issue on the ballot.
The initiative is being put together by the people behind provocitizens.net, headed by longtime local advocate Roger Brown.
The initiative reads that, "No zoning ordinance may discriminate based on marital status, family status, real property ownership and educational status."
Currently, Provo city requires that if a single person wishes to rent out a property, no more than two unrelated people besides the owner can live there. The city also regulates the number of unrelated people who live in an auxiliary apartment, such as a basement apartment.
The code also requires, with some exceptions, that an owner must live on the property that they are renting out.
These requirements apply in lower density residential zones, including most family neighborhoods.
Supporters need 3,100 signatures for the petition to make it on the ballot. Currently, organizers say they have collected less than 1,000.
Brown says the reason for the low numbers was a very late start and a lack of private funding.
The group did not file the necessary paperwork for the petition until very recently, giving them only about four weeks to gather the needed signatures.
The group started collecting signatures about two weeks ago. Petitions must be turned in by July 9.
Brown says that they are setting up at grocery stores, and when they are out collecting signatures, they have no problem finding people to sign.
The issue, however, is getting the word out.
There are about 41,000 registered voters in Provo, and Brown priced sending even a post card to all of them at around $10,000.
"If I had $10,000 to use ... I would," said Brown.
But they are far from giving up on changing city code.
"We are gathering them when we go out and find plenty of people to sign," said Thane Anderson, who is working on the initiative.
If the group is unable to get signatures they need for the November ballot, they say they will keep working on it until next year.
The existing restrictions keep family areas from being overrun by student populations, said Provo Municipal Council Chairman George Stewart.
Brown said that current zoning laws discriminate against unmarried homeowners in Provo, including young singles and older single populations that need the extra income from renting rooms in their homes.
He also said it's not appropriate to segregate student and unmarried populations.
"Excluding others from a neighborhood or zone because of a difference in their life circumstances is going too far," wrote Brown on his Web site. "Diversity of basically good people and the principle of inclusion are good for a community."
More information is at www.provocitizens.net or by calling 356-1032.
Nathan Johnson can be reached at 344-2543 or at njohnson@heraldextra.com.
This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page D1.
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source: http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/227306/4/
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Roger L. Brown
Chairman, ProvoCitizens.net
356-1032 |
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