It is not exactly a science experiment, but a voluntary area could be a testing spot for revisions to the two unrelated persons housing ordinance.
"I think the idea of a test area is a good idea," said Student Government Association External Vice President Colton Bachelor. "It's hard to see how something is going to work until you try it."
The test zone would have to be researched by a third party company, agreed on by the neighborhood and approved by the City Council before being activated.
"Different levels of people need to be involved," said Bob Goodwin, corporate communications manager for the city of Lubbock.
The Student Community Committee discussed the preliminary idea Tuesday evening at the Lubbock City Hall. The committee is comprised of members of the SGA, Lubbock residents and employees of the city.
Members of the SGA presented a proposal of revisions of the housing ordinance to the community representatives, who then expressed their concerns.
The proposal has three main points.
"This addresses the issues of noise, parties and parking," said Joe Biles, member of the SGA.
The first recommendation is to adopt an ordinance similar to the "Party Ordinance" used in Tempe, Ariz., to restrict out-of-control house parties. Police would charge both the occupant and landlord with a Class C misdemeanor if called out to a party more than once within a 90-day period. The proposal recommended allowing students to perform community service to eliminate their $500 fine.
The cost of rent could increase with each violation of the "Party Ordinance" to deter residents from breaking the ordinance again, Biles said.
"I can see renters just adding $500 to next month's rent," he said. "That would be an incentive."
To use Texas Tech to influence student behavior, a "Good Neighbor" policy could be included in the Student Affairs Handbook and promoted by the SGA, according to the proposal.
A postcard for first time party violations would be sent from the administration or SGA reminding students of their responsibility to be good neighbors and asking them to observe city ordinances in the future.
"The university does not have jurisdiction for something that happens off campus," Biles said. "But the SGA could promote it, like we are doing the issue of sportsmanship."
The third point of the proposal was most discussed by the community representatives. It included the development of a process in which landlords with good records could obtain a variance for properties with more than two bedrooms allowing more than two unrelated persons to live there.
The landlords could pay a small fee to cover the cost of the inspection. Additional proceeds from the fee could be used to enhance enforcement of the "Party Ordinance."
There would not be enough profit from the fee to fund city enforcement, said Jack Thompson, a resident of Tech Terrace.
The main limitation included in the proposal is the number of occupants could not exceed the number of bedrooms in the property, and parking spaces must accommodate all residents.
Ruth Schiermeyer, a community representative, said she was concerned that once an exception to the housing ordinance is granted it cannot be revoked.
The group discussed the development of a rental inspection ordinance, but community members agreed it would be difficult to monitor with residents moving frequently.
Thompson said as a father he wants to protect single-family neighborhoods by not encouraging more rental property. The exceptions to the housing ordinance would increase rental property. It becomes less expensive to buy and rent property as renters can charge additional tenants more money, he said.
The committee decided revisions to the proposal will be made and presented at the next meeting.
Overall, Bachelor said the meeting was effective, and a test zone could prove that the proposal is viable for the entire community.
"It was the most positive it's ever been," he said. "What we need is something to show, find a place and make it work and demonstrate."
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